1844.] 



Account of M amallaipur. 



11 



second age, was so elated by his prosperity, that he omitted 

 to perform the more essential sacrifices to the gods. This 

 being highly offensive to them, Vishnu, determined to check 

 go bad an example, became incarnate and assumed the form 

 of a wretched Brahman dwarf. Mahabali was at that time 

 in possession of the whole universe, having previously ac- 

 quired this dominion in consequence of his signal piety, or 

 punctual performance of certain austerities and rigorous acts 

 of devotion. Vishnu, in the shape just mentioned, appeared 

 before him, and asked as a boon so much of his wide pos- 

 sessions as he could pace in three steps. This the monarch 

 readily undertook to grant, at the same time desiring him to 

 ask something more worthy for a prince to bestow. The 

 pretended Brahman however professed his content with what 

 he had already requested, and the king proceeded to ratify 

 his promise by pouring water into the petitioner's hand, which 

 was, it would seem, the most solemn n\?de of confirming* a 

 grant. As he was doing this, the size of the dwarf grew 

 larger, and continued to expand u&til it filled the whole 

 earth. Vishnu then discovering himself, deprived Mahabali 

 in two steps of earth and heaven ; but in consideration of his 

 previous virtue and general good conduct, he deprived him 

 of no more, but left to his government the kingdom of 

 Patalam, a lower or inferior world said to be the abode of 

 serpents. Some say that the water used in this transaction 

 for the purpose of ratification, fell from Vishnu's hand on the 

 head of Siva, and flowing thence, formed the origin of 

 the Ganges. 



Vishnu in this character is sometimes called " Trivik-rama," 

 " the three step taker." In this sculpture he is represented 

 eight-handed, and in the act of stepping prodigiously : the 

 right foot is on the ground and the left is raised sideways as 

 high as his head. It looks therefore, as it is, very unnatural, 

 for the articulation of the head of the thigh bone in its socket 

 would not admit of such a position. The subordinate figures 



