King Bali had conquered all three worlds. To help the Devas, Lord Vishnu appeared as a young Brahmin boy, Vamana. He asked Bali for only three steps of land. Despite the warnings of his guru, Bali agreed.

Suddenly, Vamana grew into a cosmic form (Trivikrama). With His first step, He covered the Earth; with His second, He covered the entire universe. There was no place left for the third step.

True to his word, Bali offered his own head for the third step. The Lord was so pleased with Bali's integrity that He became the doorkeeper of Bali's palace in the lower world. This story teaches the virtue of keeping one's word and complete surrender.