Lord Vaman arrived at Bali's place of yajna in a moment. Exuding the divine radiance, he appeared as if he was real Sun (Suryadev). The radiance of all the rishis of Bhrigu's clan present at the yajna diminished before his radiance. Then, coming forward, the king of demons, Bali, welcomed lord Vaman.
Bali offered seat to Lord Vaman and said in humble voice, "Son of Brahmin (Brahntinkumar), it appears as if the emobodiment of the tapasya of Brahmarshis has come to my place of yajna. My forefathers have become satiated, my clan has become pious, and my yajna has become successful by your arrival. All of my sins have been destroyed by your visit to me. Hey Brahminkumar! Command me, what service may I offer you? Let whatever object of desire be in your mind - gold, money, grain, land - ask for it without hesitation. I will fulfil all of your wishes."
Listening the sweet words of Bali, Lord Vaman became pleased and said, "King! Whatever you have said is in accordance to the tradition of your family, full of religious feel, and grows your fame. In your ancestors, there has been no impatient and miserly man who would ever avoid donation to Brahmin or who would back out on his promise after making the promise. The coward has never born in your family who would turn away his face on the call of an alms-seeker or challenge of enemies during war. Several generous men have taken birth in your family. Your father Virochan was a great devotee of Brahmins. When his enemy gods asked donation of his life in the disguise of Brahmin, he gave it away though he was aware of their trick. You are following the same dharma. King of demons, you are capable of offering my desired object, hence I ask for three steps of land only. You are master of three loks and a kind soul but I do not want more than this."
The king of demons said laughingly, "Brahminkumar! Although your speak like a learned Brahmin, yet you have little intelligence, therefore you do not understand profit and loss. I, the ruler of three loks, am very happy with your speech and can offer you sufficient money and land in donation. Still, is it a matter of intelligence to ask for three steps of land? Brahminkumar! He who has come to my refuge should not need to ask anything from anybody ever. Therefore ask from me as much land as you need to carry on your livelihood."
Listening to his prideful talk, Lord Vaman said, "King! If man cannot control his senses, all the affluence of universe cannot fulfil his desires. He who cannot be contented with three steps of land will not be satisfied even if offered several vast pieces of land. The person lives happily who is contented with little while the dissatisfied person who cannot control his senses remains sad and discontented in spite of having three loks. The dissatisfaction of money and pleasure is reason behind falling into the cycle of life and death. Therefore one should accumulate as much money as is needed. There is no doubt in it that you are the champion provider of desired objects, but I ask for three steps of land only. My job will be done with this much only."
"Alright, Brahminkumarl As you deem fit." Saying this Bali raised .the water-pot to formalize the resolve for giving away three steps of land.
Hither, guru of demons, Shukracharya, had come to know the true face of Lord Vaman. Therefore, interrupting Bali, he said, "King! This is real Lord Vishnu in the appearance of Vaman who has incarnated from the womb of Aditi to accomplish the work of gods. He will snatch everything from you. Do not resolve to give him donation. This deed of yours will commit great injustice to demons. Vishnu, in the disguise of Vaman, will take away your kingdom, affluence, money, brilliance, and fame and will handover you to your enemy Indra. What will be left for you and demons if you will give everything of yours to him? As large as the world, this Vishnu will measure the earth in one step and the paradise in the other step. Where will his third step go when his vast body will cover the sky? You will, however, suffer in horrible hell if you do not fulfil your resolve. Therefore king of demons, be careful! Leave this resolve.