Harivamsa, etc.- that a deluge occurs after the reign of every Manu, or father of humanity.

The Lord appeared to show a special favor to His devotee Satyavrata (Noah).

(To read this short story, see the book The Pure Spiritual Science, page 65).

The next Avatar was Vamana, the dwarf, a wise master scholar. He appeared in this world of the bosom of Aditi, endowed with all its attributes: the conch, the disc, the mass and the lotus flower. His complexion was bluish black, and he wore yellow clothes. Sri Visnu made his appearance under augurs, while the star Abhijit had risen. At that time, in all three worlds (ie the higher planetary system, space and this Earth), all celestial beings, cows, spiritual guides and even the seasons rejoiced at the appearance of God. This is the day that is called Vijaya. When God, the Supreme Person, whose Body is all of knowledge, bliss and eternity, appeared as the son of Kasyapa and Aditi, they were very astonished. After his appearance, the Lord assumed the appearance of a dwarf (Vamana). All the great sages expressed their joy and, in the presence of Kasyapa Muni, they proceeded to the ceremony in honor of the birth of Sri Vamana. At the time of the sacred cord ceremony, Sri Vamana was honored by the celestial being of the Sun, Brhaspati, the reigning deity on Earth, the ruling deity on the Edenic planets, his mother, Brahma, Kuvera, the seven sages, and other characters.

Then Lord Vamana went to the sacrifice area laid out by Bali Maharaja. He then intended to take over the three worlds, yet he only asked for a territory of three strides.

The almighty Lord can, from a nothing, give to whom He wills the whole universe for kingdom. But He can also resume it pretending to want only a few strides of ground.

The next Avatar was Bhrgupati. Irritated to see the warriors and administrators in rebellion against the learned priests and wise men, he exterminated them all twenty-one times.

Warriors and administrators, members of the group that directs society, are expected to rule the planet under the leadership of the learned priests, the group of intellectuals, wise men. The latter advise them according to the scriptures, the writings containing the revealed knowledge. And every time administrators neglect the instructions of intellectual sages and scholars, they are stripped of their posts and replaced by better leaders.

The next Avatar was Sri Vyasadeva, who appeared in the womb of Satyavati, the wife of Parasara Muni. At the time when the second age rode the third, appeared the great sage Vyasadeva, born of Parasara and Satyavati, the daughter of Vasu.

The four ages follow in chronological order: Satya, Dvapara, Treta and Kali. But sometimes they overlap each other. Under the reign of the Vaivasvata Manu, for