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 Vamana (a brahmana-dwarf and a brahmacari)
just like a theatrical actor. When the great sages saw Vamana, they were
very pleased. Thus they brought forward Kasyapa Muni, the Prajapati,
and performed all the ritualistic ceremonies, beginning with the birthday
rites. When they reached the sacred thread ceremony, by which Vamana
formally took brahminical initiation, the sun-god personally uttered the
Gayatri mantra, Brhaspati offered the sacred thread, and Kasyapa 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 Brahma offered Him a waterpot, the seven sages offered Him kusa
grass, and mother Sarasvati gave Him a string of Rudraksa beads.
Kuvera, King of the Yaksas, gave Him a begging pot, and mother
Bhagavati, the wife of Lord Siva, gave Him His first alms. Having thus
been welcomed by everyone, Lord Vamanadeva, the best of the
brahmacéris, exhibited His Brahman effulgence. Thus He surpassed in
beauty that entire assembly, which was filled with great saintly
brahmanas. (pp. 37-41)
