Lord Vaman Dev
Bali Maharaja had begun the performance of a fire-sacrifice in the field known as Bhrigukaccha on the bank of the Narmada River. He was a greatly charitable person. Brahmanas who were desirous of his charity were going to the place where the sacrifice was being held.
A new brahmana will beg alms after the sacred thread ceremony. Following this custom, Lord Vamana deva set out for the sacrificial arena of Bali Maharaja, holding His danda, waterpot and umbrella to beg alms from him. Lord Vamana deva was walking while holding His umbrella. Being small in size, He was completely covered by the umbrella. When the brahmanas saw Him from a distance, they thought that the umbrella was walking by itself, so they were very astonished. Later, they understood that a brahmana boy of small stature was underneath the umbrella. The brahmanas tried very hard to overtake him, but were unable to do so.
Lord Vamana deva bewildered all the brahmanas with His maya and became the first to arrive at the sacrificial arena.
The auspicious arrival of Vamanadeva in His brilliant effulgent form diminished the brilliance of the sacrificial fire. Understanding that a great personality had arrived, Bali Maharaja, his priests and others present there, rose up from their seats and welcomed the Lord by offering proper respects.
Later on, Lord Vamanadeva, the protector of dharma, said to Sri Sukracarya, the foremost of the Bhrigu dynasty brahmanas and guru of the demons, “Your disciple Bali Maharaja has undergone many difficulties. Please perform the yajna again for his welfare.”
Sri Sukracarya replied, “My disciple has seen You; he has chanted Your name and glories. Your rare lotus feet have been placed upon his head. Is my disciple still so impure that I have to perform a yajna to bless him?”
mantratas tantratas chidram
desa-kal
arha-vastutah
sarvam karoti nischidram
anusankirtanam tava
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.23.16)“There may be discrepancies in pronouncing mantras, observing the regulative principles in serial order and moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person, articles and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship’s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.”