Bali and the dwarf

Aditi prayed to Vishnu to help. Her penance was austere. She gave up food and water and survived on air, to get help from Vishnu.
The Gods came and greeted their mother and wanted to know why she was praying and asked her to leave. When Aditi was insistent, Vishnu finally appeared before her. Aditi was very pleased to see Him. Vishnu said he would try to fulfill her wishes.
Aditi asked for her sons to have their kingdoms returned.
Vishnu said I will born as your child. I will be a dwarf who will trick Bali to give back the land to the Gods.

Pleased Aditi returned home and told Kashyapa about this. Soon Vishnu was born as a dwarf son of Aditi. As soon he was born, the boy wanted his sacred thread ceremony performed. KAshyapa arranged for that.
After the ceremony, the dwarf said he had heard of the sacrifice that Bali was performing. He said he knew that Bali would giving away many gifts and thus he wanted to go and visit that and get something.

He went where the sacrifice was happening. When Shukracharya saw this, he knew this was Vishnu as a dwarf. He said to Bali - This is Vishnu, coming to cheat you.

Bali said Do not doubt this person. And even if this is Vishnu, he is most welcome to come and ask for what he needs. And I am blessed that the One who is tough to please is coming here on his own.

Angry Shukra cursed Bali saying his prosperity would be lost.

Bali welcomed the dwarf and said he would give what ever was desired.

The Dwarf said He needed land that could be covered by his three steps.

Bali agreed. He would would solemnize the process by taking holy water in his hand from the pitcher holding that. Shukra seeing this, took the form of a fly and blocked the path of the water flow.
When Bali tried to get some water in his hand, he was ashamed to see nothing coming out. The dwarf asked Bali to use a blade of the Kusha grass and poke the spout with that.
Bali did that, and the blade poked an eye of Shukra who became blind from that eye. Shukra fled from there. Bali then sprinkled the water and agreed to give the land away.

The dwarf then started increasing his size. Soon his head was touching the sky. With one foot the dwarf covered the earth and with the other he covered the heavens. With no place to put his third foot, he asked Bali where to put his foot. Bali asked the foot be placed on his head.

Bali was pushed into the nether world. The Gods came and greeted the dwarf. Blessing all the dwarf vanished.

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Ending his tale, Dhuamya said Control Duryodhana.

Dhaumya then left from there. He went to the Pandavas and said he had tried but Duryodhana did not listen.

Vidura advises Dhritarashtra

Vaishampayana said to Janmajeya - Listen King.
When Duryodhana left the court Bhishma, Drona and Kripa were quite then they too left.
Vidura then went to Dhritarashtra and said - Give half the kingdom to Pandavas else nothing will be left of the kingdom. Your son is cruel and there seems to be no one else like him. He is giving you a bad name also.Do not think of battle. Bhima, who can kill Hidimb, Jatasura and Baka with his bare hands is someone to be feared. Arjuna is a mighty warrior and a beloved of Indra. You know how Arjuna alone annihilated the enemy in the kingdom of Virata. Do as I say. Send messengers to the kingdom of Virata. Fetch the Pandavas and give back Indraprastha.

Dhritarashtra said You told me and I understand. Go and tell Duryodhana this.

Vidura said I have tried and he thinks ill off me, Saying this Vidura sat down.

Dhaumya said I know Duryodhana will not give up the land. They have tried to kill the Pandavas before using Virochana. Be aware that Krishna is with the Pandavas. This is the same Hari who was captured by Bali.

Dhritarashtra asked about the clash between Bali and Hari.

Dhaumya said This is a big story but let me summarize and tell you.

Dhaumya comes to the court

The sage said to Janmajeya :

After this, the priest of the Pandavas, Dhaumya went to the court. He went to Dhritarashtra and said he had been sent by the sons of Pandu. He said - The eldest Pandava, son of Dharma, asked me to convey his greetings. He said he will be happy with whatever is given to them by you. He said he has suffered a lot in the forest and wants to return back. Being from the royal family, they served as servants with the aim of returning back. Bhima conveyed his greetings to all. He asked that Duryodhana should give back their lands, as previously agreed upon. Arjuna asked to convey his greeting and then said they had been humiliated by Duryodhana. Draupadi had to be dragged to the court by her hair. Their land should be returned back. The sons of Madri said the same.

Hearing this Dhritarashtra said I am ashamed of what my sons did. Let a messenger go and fetch the Pandavas. We will then sit and mutually decide what was correct.

Bhishma said It is correct to give half the land over to the Pandavas. If not given, the kingdom will be lost.

Hearing this Duryodhana was furious. To him, Dhritarashtra said Ill\ will is got good. Nothing good will come from this. Listen to me as I tell you about an old tale.

Dhaumya becomes the priest of Pandavas

Ending his tale, the Gandharva told Arjuna it was always necessary for them to have a priest alongside. Arjuna asked who would be the apt priest for them.
The gandharva said Dhaumya, brother of Rishi Debal would be right choice for the Pandavas,

Arjuna thanked the Gandharva and said he would ask for the gifts when it was time for them.
The gandharva then bade farewell to the Pandavas and Kunti and left.

Pandavas then travelled to a place called Utkochaka. There they met Dhaumya, who agreed to become a priest for the Pandavas.

Travelling, they neared Panchala. They met a group of brahmanas who wanted to know where the Pandavas were going. The Pandavas said they had come from Ekachakra and were going to Panchala. The brahmanas also joined them, all eager to see the swayavara of Draupadi.

They soon reached the kingdom of Panchala.