Mahabali

Contents

1 King '''Mahabali'''
2 Reign of King Mahabali
3 Brief Sketch of King '''Mahabali'''
4 Challenge for the Devas
5 Lord Vishnu takes Vamana Avatar
6 King Mahabali Requests for a Visit to Kerala
7 Genesis of Onam
8 Alternate Views of Bali
9 Festivals
10 See also

King Mahabali

The legend of King Mahabali (IAST mahābali) or Māvēli(as known locally) is the most popular and the most fascinating of all legends behind Onam. Onam celebrates the visit of King Mahabali, a king of ancient Dravida to the state of Kerala every year. The festival is celebrated with fervour as King Mahabali is greatly respected by his subjects. Mahabali is also popularly called Maveli and Onathappan. He is believed to have ruled in South India several millennia before the Ramayana era and his empire is believed to have extended from the Vindhyas in the north to the far out in the south.

Reign of King Mahabali

The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was the capital of the Asura (demon) king, Mahabali. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom and was considered to be wise, judicious and extremely generous. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali. Everybody was happy in the kingdom, there was no discrimination on the basis of caste or class. Rich and poor were equally treated. There was neither crime, nor corruption. People did not even lock their doors, as there were no thieves in that kingdom. There was no poverty, sorrow or disease in the reign of King Mahabali and everybody was happy and content.

Brief Sketch of King Mahabali

It may be noted Mahabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad, the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashyapu. Mahabali belonged to the Asura (demon) dynasty but was an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu. His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the Great Sacrifice.

Challenge for the Devas

Looking at the growing popularity and fame of King Mahabali the Devas became extremely concerned and jealous. They felt threatened about their own supremacy and began to think of a strategy to get rid of the dilemma.

To curb the growing reign of Mahabali and maintain their own supremacy, Aditi, the mother of Gods sought help from Lord Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) whom Mahabali worshiped.

It was said Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody approached him for help or requested for anything he always granted. To test the King, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a poor Brahmin boy called Vamana. He came to the Kingdom of Mahabali, just after Mahabali performed his morning prayers and was preparing to grant boons to Brahmins.

Lord Vishnu takes Vamana Avatar

Disguised as Vamana, Vishnu said he was a poor Brahmin and asked for a piece of land. The generous King said, he could have as much land as he wanted. The Brahmin said that he just wanted as much land as could be covered by his three steps. The King was surprised to hear this humble request, and insisted that the boy ask for more. But the brahmin again said that he only wanted as much land as he could cover in three steps. So Mahabali agreed.

Just as King Mahabali agreed to grant the land, Vamana began to expand and eventually increased himself to the size of cosmic proportions. With his first step the Brahmin boy covered the whole of earth and with the other step he covered the whole of the skies. He then asked King Mahabali where is the space for him to keep his third foot.

The King realised that he was no ordinary Brahmin and his third step will destroy the earth. Mahabali with folded hands bowed before Vamana and asked him to place his last step on his head so that he could keep the promise. The Brahmin placed his foot on the head of the King, which pushed him to patala, the nether world. There the King requested the Brahmin to reveal his true identity. Lord Vishnu then appeared before the King in his person. The Lord told the King that he came to test him and the King won the test. King Mahabali was pleased to see his lord. Lord Vishnu also granted a boon to the King.

King Mahabali Requests for a Visit to Kerala

The King was so much attached with his Kingdom and people that he requested that he be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year. Lord Vishnu was moved by the Kings nobility and was pleased to grant the wish. He also blessed the King and said even after losing all his worldly possessions, the King would always be loved by Lord Vishnu and his people.

Genesis of Onam

Onam celebrations are marked in Trikkakara, a place 10 km from Kochi (Cochin) on the Edapally- Pookattupadi road. Trikkara is said to be the capital of the mighty King Mahabali. A temple with a deity of 'Trikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise is also located at this place. Nowhere else in Kerala can one find a deity of 'Vamanamurthy'. This fascinating legend is artistically depicted at the Suchindram Temple in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.

Alternate Views of Bali

There are two alternate views of Bali, who is also popularly known as Mahabali.

1. Especially in Kerala, Mahabali is seen as a good ruler tricked by the jealous Gods, who vanquished him by deception.
2. In the Hindu Puranas, Bali is a Daitya, an enemy of the Gods, who claimed all of the heavens, earth and the underworld.

Accordingly, there are two versions, which differ in the connotations and not in the substance, of the same story of how Mahabali was stripped of his kingdom. These are (in the same order as the two views above):
1. The Gods grew jealous of Mahabali's good rule and popularity. Vishnu, in his avatar as the dimunitive Vamana, asked Mahabali for a piece of land only three paces wide. Bali, ever the generous king, granted this wish, whereupon Vamana grew to an immense size and covered the heavens with one step and the earth with another. There was no space left for Vamana to measure his third pace. Realizing Vamana's ploy only too late, but still intent on keeping his word, Mahabali offered his own head for Vamana to place his third step. Vamana stepped on Mahabali's head and pushed him down into paataalam, the underworld. And thus the people of Kerala lost their beloved king, whom they celebrate to this day in the annual Onam festival.
2. According to mythology Bali was an efficient and popular ruler loved by all. His kingdom stretched the earth, the patal (the underground), and was threatening the skies. The ruler of the Heaven, Lord Indra got apprehensive of Bali's popularity and might, and approached Lord Vishnu for help and advice. Vishnu came to this mortal world as a (Vamana) Brahmin, went to Bali and asked for 3 steps of land. Bali readily agreed. With the first step, Vamana spanned the entire earth, with the next the underground, and there was nowhere to put his third step. Bali being true to his word, asked Vamana to keep the third foot on his head, who pushed Bali down into patal.

Festivals

In the state of Kerala, the Onam festival is a celebration of the visit of Mahabali or Maveli (local name of Bali) to their land.

According to legend, Mahabali requested Vamana to grant him a boon to come and visit his homeland, Kerala, at least once a year, and he comes to visit his people and his land during Onam. Vamana also told Mahabali that he is destined to become Indra in the next cycle of creation.