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THE GIRNAR MAHATMYA.
AUGUST, 1875.]
Siva, who was thereby pleased, and told him that he (Vâman) was now free from his curse, and that in a short time his body would begin to enlarge. Śiva further told him to ask whatever boon he desired. Vâman applied for directions as to the method to be followed in perforraing the pilgrimage of the Vastrapatha, which he desired to do. Siva replied, On the north-west of the Vastrapatha there is a large tank, and to the west of the tank is a wood of Bilva trees, which contains an earthen liiga, by seeing which on the Sivaratri day a hunter obtained admission to Kailasa, and Indra was absolved from the sin of the slaughter of a Brahman. There is another linga to the west of this, which was established by Knbera. Southeast of Bhavanitha is the seat of the Rakshasa called Hidamba, and near it is a consecrated spot dedicated by Yama to Siva. There is also another place near it dedicated to Siva, which was established by Chitragupta, and which is called Chitraguptesvara. On the west of Bhavanatha is a linga which was established by Brahma; it is known by the name of Kedâreśvara, and Brahma is always present there. There is a linga on the north-east of Bhavanatha which is called Indreśvara from its being founded by Indra at the time of his visit to the earthen liiga, when he was redeemed from the sin of the murder of a Brahman. You should therefore see all these places, as also Dâmodar on the Raivataka.' Having said this, Siva disappeared. Then Vâman, according to Siva's direction, visited the different places and took up his abode on the west of Bhavanâtha.
Meanwhile Narada thought in his mind that Vishnu would descend on the earth and overthrow Bali. Yet his mind was not at ease, as there was no struggle going on. He said to himself, I went to instigate Indra, but Brihaspati defeated my object: I shall therefore now go to Raja Bali. Accordingly he went to Bali, who received him with great respect and worshipped him. Nârada told Bali that the gods could not brook his prosperity, and that they had contrived a plan for his overthrow. He also told him that he should be on his guard. He added that he was going to Vishnu, who had come to Raivataka, having assumed a small shape with a particular motive. Narada then went to Vaman and told him that he ought to go and subdue Bali, who was going to make a sacrifice. Vâman replied
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that Raja Bali was a worshipper of Vishnu, and besides he himself was destitute of power, and was therefore unable to undertake the task. Narada said, 'You are the same Vishnu who became incarnate as Varaha and Nrisinha, and your present incarnation is also for accomplishing the work of gols. You will hereafter become incarnate as Parasurama, Rama, Buddha, and Kalki; and Indra and other gods desire that you should press Bali down to Patalà. Please, therefore, fulfil the desire of the gods by chastising Bali.' Vaman complied and came to the town of Bali. There he lived and took his meals at the houses of Brahmans, pursuing his studies of the Vedas, and at the same time imparting instruction in them to the sons of the Brȧhmans. Some time passed in this way. One day while Bali was engaged in his sacrifice, Vaman came to his pavilion and was received with great reverence by Bali. Bali expressed to his priest, Sukra Acharya, that it was a most fortunate circumstance that Vâman, a sage deeply read in the Vedas, had honoured his sacrifice, and that he (Bali) would grant whatever request might be maile by him. Sukra Acharya showed the Raja that charities bestowed on the blind and the deaf, on dwarfs and on cripples, bore no fruit. Bali said, however that might be, in his eyes a man learned in the Vedas was like Vishnu. He then told Vâman that all his wealth was his, and that he might ask whatever he desired. Vâman said he was not covetous, like other Brahmans. He only desired space such as he could cover in three steps, wherein to give instruction to his pupils. Bali granted the request, and as he was pouring water on the palm of Vâman, the latter became so tall and huge that the sun appeared no higher than his navel. Thus by two steps he occupied the whole world and all the regions, and there was no room for the third step. Vâman thereupon asked Bali where he should step for the third time. Bali said that his head was the proper place for his foot. Vâman thereupon pressed Bali down to Pâtâla. This gave great joy to the gods. Vâman then founded a town, called after him Vamanapur, on the west of Bhavanatha, on a site which was recommended by Garga Acharya.'
There remain only two or three stories in the Girnar Mákátmya unmentioned. One of them is a long one relating to the Mrigi Kunda. The
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