Shukra

In Hindu mythology, the religious
teacher (guru) of the type of demons
known as asuras. Shukra is a wellknown figure who appears most prominently in the tale of the Vamana avatar.
In this tale, the Asura king Bali is performing a great sacrifice. He is
approached by the god Vishnu, who has
taken the form of a dwarf (vamana), and
asks Bali for three paces of land to build
a sacrificial altar. Shukra suspects a
trick, and warns Bali not to grant it, but
Bali ignores Shukra’s cautionary advice.
As soon as Bali grants the gift, the dwarf
grows immensely large. With his first
two steps Vishnu measures out the cosmos, and with his third pushes Bali
down into the underworld, where he is
allowed to reign as king.
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Shukra