Few westerners are aware of one of the strangest of Diwali stories, a myth that takes center stage in Diwali celebrations in parts of western India. Once upon a time, our three worlds were ruled by the great god Baali.
He was a just king and decided to give thanks to the creator of the three worlds Brahma. So he conducted an elaborate sacrifice and invited all the gods and brahmanas.
One of Baali’s guests was a tiny and unknown dwarf by the name Vamana. Baali had never met this dwarf before and invited the stranger for chai and conversation. The dwarf’s wit impressed Baali so much that Baali told Vamana that he could have any gift that he wanted. Just ask anything. Does he want a kingdom? Does he want riches? Does he wish to be a god over some world?
Vamana told Baali that all he wanted was as much property that he could cover in three paces. The Great Baal looked at the two stubby legs of Vamana and then started to laugh. He laughed and he laughed until the three worlds shook and almost shattered.
“Okay, my little friend” said Baali. “Your wish is my command.” Baali shook his head to keep himself from laughing any further.
Then lo and behold, the little dwarf started to grow. He grew and he grew until his head was so far up that one couldn’t even see the top of his feet. With one step Vamana took the Causal World and half of the Celestial World. With another step Vamana took the other half of the Celestial World and the entire Physical World. In those two steps the entire kingdom of Baali was taken over. There was no place left in Baali’s kingdom for the third step.
Then Baali lowered his head and said “You have taken everything I could possibly give but there is still one thing that I have left. You can take me.”
And with that, Vamana stepped on Baali’s head and took his life.
The dwarf turned out to be Lord Vishnu himself. He gave the causal realm to the Brahma Rishis. He gave the celestial realm to the Devas. And he gave the physical realm to the Manus. And thereby decentralizing the power in the three worlds.
As for Baali, he was taken to a higher realm beyond the three worlds. It is said that this other world intersects our three worlds sometime during the month of Diwali. The fourth day of Diwali is usually when people celebrate Baali’s rulership of the old kingdom and the event is called Bali Pratipada.