PLATE THREE
When Lord Vāmana appeared before Bali Mahārāja and begged for three steps of land, the King agreed. Then, greatly disturbed, Bali's spiritual master, Śukrācārya, said: "O King Bali, this  brahmacārī  in the form of a dwarf is directly the imperishable Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. Accepting Kaśyapa Muni as His father and Aditi as His mother, He has now appeared to help the demigods and vanquish the demons. You have promised to give Him three steps of land in charity, but when you give it, He will occupy the three worlds. You are a rascal! You do not know what a great mistake you have made." King Bali replied, "O great sage, great saintly persons like you, being completely aware of the Vedic principles, worship Lord Viṣṇu in all circumstances. Therefore, whether that same Lord Viṣṇu has come here to give me all benedictions or to punish me as an enemy, I must carry out His order and give Him the requested tract of land without hesitation." Enraged, Śukrācārya said, "Although you have no knowledge, you have become a so-called learned person, and therefore you dare be so impudent as to disobey my order. Because you have disobeyed me, I curse you to lose all your opulence very soon." ( pp. 79-111 )