The Expansion
The moment Bali poured the ritual water sealing the gift of three paces of land, Vamana began to grow.
His feet grew and rooted into the earth. His shoulders rose through the clouds. His head disappeared into the sky. He became Trivikrama — the Three-Strider, the universal form of Vishnu.
The First Step
His first step covered the entire earth. Mountains, rivers, oceans, all the kingdoms and forests and deserts of the world — all within one step of the Lord.
The Second Step
His second step covered all of heaven. The celestial worlds, the realms of the gods, the planets and stars — all within the second step.
He stood on one leg now, filling the entire cosmos.
Brahma Washes His Foot
As Trivikrama's second foot rose toward the heavens, Brahma himself — sitting at the edge of creation — took water from his sacred vessel and washed that cosmic foot. The water that fell from that washing became the sacred Ganga river, which Hindus revere as the most purifying of all waters.
Brahma offered flowers and incense to the foot of the universal Lord.
Then Trivikrama looked down at Bali: "Your majesty, there is no space for a third step. Where shall I place it?"
And Bali offered his head.