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Yajña-Purusha.
Bali's preceptor Sukracharya asked him not to make any promises to the young Brāhmaṇa, since he was none other than Vishnu himself. The generous Bali, however, considered Vishnu's presence as a great honour. He asked the young Brāhmaṇa boy to ask for anything, whereupon the boy asked for just three paces of space on which to sit and meditate. Upon the request being granted Vamana, the Dwarf, became Trivikrama (the gigantic form). With one step he strode over the heavens, and with the second the earth. King Bali asked him to place the third step on his royal head as there was no other spot left. Pleased with Bali, Vamana allowed him to proceed to the nether world with his demon hosts and rule there, and Indra got back his heavenly kingdom.
SCULPTURAL REPRESENTATIONS
Vamana
Height
Vamana should be executed in the Pañcha-tāla measure. His height should be 56 angulas (Pls. 21-24).
Hands
Two. In one he carries a vase and in the other an umbrella. He wears a ring of Kusa grass on the third finger. He also carries a book.
General
Vamana has his tuft tied into a knot. He wears ear-ornaments and a deer-skin. He wears a
loin-cloth to cover his body.
Trivikrama
Height
He should be gigantic. His height should be 124 angulas.
Posture of legs
His right leg is firmly planted on the earth. The left is lifted to take strides. It should be raised upto the level of the right knee, the navel or the forehead.
Hands
Four or eight. If he has four hands, one right hand holds a conch while the other is held with
ICONOGRAPHY OF THE HINDUS, BUDDHISTS AND JAINS
the palm upwards. One left hand carries a wheel. The other left hand is stretched out and is parallel to the uplifted leg. Alternately, this hand may exhibit protection or boon-giving attitude.
If he is eight-handed: five of them carry conch, wheel, mace, bow and plough.
Attendants
Indra is shown holding an umbrella over Trivikrama's head. Varuna and Vayu hold flywhisks on either side. Over them are the Sun and Moon. Close to them are Sanyasa, Sanaka and Sanatkumāra. Brahma holds the uplifted foot of Trivikrama, and washes it with water flowing down from a vase. Śiva sits a little above the navel of Trivikrama with folded hands. The rakshasa Namuchi stands near the foot of Trivikrama with folded hands. On the left, Vishnu's vehicle Garuda is shown beating Sukracharya for his advice to Bali. On the right, Vamana stands holding his umbrella, waiting to receive Bali's gift. Bali stands carrying a golden vessel in his hands, with his wife behind him. Above Trivikrama is Jambavan, sounding the drum of victory.
VI. RAMA WITH THE BATTLE-AXE (PARASURAMA AVATARA)
Vishnu was born as Parasurama for the sole purpose of exterminating the Kshatriya caste. Early India witnessed a long and intense power struggle between the priest class (the Brahmanas) and the soldier class (the Kshatriyas) for supremacy. The kings tried to assert their authority over the priest class. In this struggle between the two classes, the priest class ultimately succeeded in establishing the pre-eminence of their caste. The story of Parasurama is the story of this ultimate triumph of the priestly caste over the soldier caste of India.
The Vishnu-Purana amongst others narrates in great detail the Parasurama story. Parasurama was the son of Reņuka and Jamadagni. Once, a king named Kartavirya, while on a hunt, visited the hermitage of Jamadagni. Jamadagni entertained the royal company lavishly by means of his cow Sabalā, who could fulfil any wish. The king, impressed by the cow's performance, requested the sage to give him the cow. On being refused, Jamadagni was slain by the son of Kartavirya. Parasutama, on his return, learnt of
