PLATE TWO
First the Lord appeared in His original form, with ornaments and weapons in His hands. Then, in the presence of His father and mother, He assumed the form of Vāmana (a  brāhmaṇa -dwarf and a  brahmacārī ) just like a theatrical actor. When the great sages saw Vāmana, they were very pleased. Thus they brought forward Kaśyapa Muni, the Prajāpati, and performed all the ritualistic ceremonies, beginning with the birthday rites. When they reached the sacred thread ceremony, by which Vāmana formally took brahminical initiation, the sun-god personally uttered the  Gāyatrī mantra , Brhaspati offered the sacred thread, and Kaśyapa Muni offered a straw belt. Mother earth gave Him a deerskin, the demigod of the moon gave Him a staff, His mother, Aditi, gave Him a loincloth, and the deity presiding over the heavenly kingdom offered Him an umbrella. Lord Brahmā offered Him a waterpot, the seven sages offered Him  kuśa  grass, and mother Sarasvati gave Him a string of Rudrākṣa beads. Kuvera, King of the Yakṣas, gave Him a begging pot, and mother Bhagavati, the wife of Lord Śiva, gave Him His first alms. Having thus been welcomed by everyone, Lord Vāmanadeva, the best of the  brahmacārīs , exhibited His Brahman effulgence. Thus He surpassed in beauty that entire assembly, which was filled with great saintly  brāhmaṇas . (pp. 37-41)