Why did Vāmanadeva ask Bali Mahārāja for three steps of land?
Meanings behind those three steps.
1. Three Steps — Tri-loka
The three worlds are beneath the feet of Krsna. By asking for three steps, Vāmanadeva revealed His position as the Lord of the entire three worlds.
2. Three Steps — Tripāda Vibhūti
In Sanskrit, pāda can mean a division or portion.
Ekāpāda = one-fourth = 25%
Tripāda = three-fourths = 75%
This material universe is Ekāpāda Vibhūti—one-fourth.
Vaikuṇṭha, the spiritual world, is Tripāda Vibhūti—three-fourths.
So the material creation that appears so vast to us is only 25% of the Lord’s total vibhūti, while the spiritual world is 75%.
3. Three Steps — Revealing Viṣṇu
Vāmanadeva was revealing that He is Himself Viṣṇu.
And Viṣṇu means the all-pervading Lord.
Thus, the three steps were not an ordinary request for land.
They revealed three dimensions of Lord:
The three worlds are beneath His feet.
The material world is only one-fourth of His vibhūti.
And He pervades everything.
The Lord was revealing the extent of His own glory.