In a sublime act of divine condescension, Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, the undisputed sovereign of all the worlds, manifested as the youthful brahmacāri, Vāmana. Adorned with the sacred deer skin upon His chest, He, the ultimate owner of the earth, graciously approached the righteous emperor Mahābali. Through the humble means of seeking a charitable gift (dhānam), He accepted