BHAGVAT HOW LORD MERELY IN 2 FOOT STEPS MEASURED AND COVERED HIS ENTIRE CREATION
TRANSLATION
These associates, headed by Sunanda and other chief associates and accompanied by all the predominating deities of the various planets, offered prayers to the Lord, who wore a brilliant helmet, bracelets, and glittering earrings that resembled fish. On the Lord's bosom were the lock of hair called Shrivatsa and the transcendental jewel named Kaustubha.
He wore a yellow garment, covered by a belt, and He was decorated by a flower garland, surrounded by bees. Manifesting Himself in this way, O King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose activities are wonderful, covered the entire surface of the earth with one footstep, the sky with His body, and all directions with His arms.
PURPORT
One might argue, "Since Bali Maharaja promised Vamanadeva only the land occupied by His steps, why did Lord Vamanadeva occupy the sky also?" In this regard, Shrila Jiva Gosvami says that the steps include everything, downward and upward. When one stands up, he certainly occupies certain parts of the sky and certain portions of the earth below his feet. Thus there was nothing uncommon for the Supreme Personality of Godhead when He occupied the entire sky with His body.
TRANSLATION
As the Lord took His second step, He covered the heavenly planets. And not even a spot remained for the third step, for the Lord's foot extended higher and higher, beyond Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka and even Satyaloka.
PURPORT
When the Lord's footstep exceeded the height of all the lokas, including Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka, His nails certainly pierced the covering of the universe. The universe is covered by the five material elements (bhümir apo 'nalo vayum kham). As stated in the shastra, these elements are in layers, each ten times thicker than the previous one.
NONETHELESS, THE NAILS OF THE LORD PIERCED THROUGH ALL THESE LAYERS AND MADE A HOLE PENETRATING INTO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD. FROM THIS HOLE, THE WATER OF THE GANGES INFILTRATED INTO THIS MATERIAL WORLD, AND THEREFORE IT IS SAID, PADA-NAKHA-NIRA JANITA JANA-PAVANA (DASHAVATARA-STOTRA 5). BECAUSE THE LORD KICKED A HOLE IN THE COVERING OF THE UNIVERSE, THE WATER OF THE GANGES CAME INTO THIS MATERIAL WORLD TO DELIVER ALL THE FALLEN SOULS.
