Vamana Purana
The Vamana Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. It is centered on the Vamana (dwarf) avatar of Vishnu and his defeat of the demon king Bali.
- Vamana Purana narrates the story of Vamana — the dwarf avatar of Lord Vishnu.
- Contains approximately 10,000 verses across 96 chapters.
- Classified as a Sattva Purana with primary focus on Lord Vishnu.
- The central story is Vishnu's Vamana avatar defeating the demon king Bali.
- Narrated by Sage Pulastya to Narada Muni.
- Contains genealogies of gods and demons, and stories of various Vishnu devotees.
- Includes accounts of major yajnas (sacrifices) and their cosmic significance.
- Covers the story of Shiva and Parvati, making it a balanced text.
Structural Organization
Example: Vamana Purana, Chapter 1, Verse 1
Key Topics Covered
Important Deities
Famous Stories & Episodes
Featured Shlokas
+ Add ShlokaPrayer to Vamana — The Dwarf Incarnation
Vamana Purana · Chapter 1 · Verse 1.25
वामनं देवमीडे ब्रह्मण्यं धर्मपालकम्। त्रिक्रमं त्रिभुवनाख्यं श्रीपतिं परमेश्वरम्॥
vāmanaṁ devam īḍe brahmaṇyaṁ dharma-pālakam tri-kramaṁ tri-bhuvanākhyaṁ śrī-patiṁ parameśvaram
I praise Vamana, the divine protector of Brahmins and dharma, the three‑stepped one (Trikrama), famed in the three worlds, Lord of Shri, the Supreme Lord (Paramesvara).
King Bali's Surrender to Vishnu
Vamana Purana · Chapter 1 · Verse 80.31
बलिरुवाच: सर्वस्वं देहि देवेश यत्ते मनसि वर्तते। सत्यप्रतिज्ञो हि भवान् न मृषा वदति प्रभुः॥
balir uvāca: sarvasvaṁ dehi deveśa yat te manasi vartate satya-pratijño hi bhavān na mṛṣā vadati prabhuḥ
Bali said: Give up everything, O Lord of gods, whatever is in your mind. You are one pledged to truth—surely the Lord does not speak falsely.
Trivikrama — Three Steps Span the Universe
Vamana Purana · Chapter 1 · Verse 82.44
एकेन पादेन महीं तृतीयेन च दिवं। तृतीयं पादमुद्यम्य विश्वं व्याप्तवान् हरिः॥
ekena pādena mahīṁ tṛtīyena ca divaṁ tṛtīyaṁ pādam udyamya viśvaṁ vyāptavān hariḥ
With one step He spanned the earth, with the second He spanned the heavens; raising the third step, Hari pervaded the entire universe.