Another legend about Kankalamurti is that Shiva assumed the form when he slew Vamana, an avatar of Vishnu. Vishnu assumed the form of Vamana, a huge form that encompassed the huge universe to teach a lesson to the demon Mahabali. After Mahabali was humbled, the Vamana form became a nuisance to the world and the gods. On their request, Shiva destroyed Vamana and used his back bone as a weapon. Thus, Shiva held the kankala (bones) of Vamana and became known as Kankalamurti. Another interpretation is that Kankalamurti is Shiva as the dissolver of the universe and the bones symbolize destruction.