Mahabali
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The legend of King Mahabali (IAST: mahābalī, sanskrit: महाबली ) or Māvēli (as known locally) is the most popular legend behind the festival of 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 before the Ramayana event and his empire is believed to have extended from the Vindhyas in the north to the far out in the south.
He is also known as Raja Bal[1] and Balin and Sahastrabahu[2].
[edit] Reign of King Mahabali
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was the capital of the Asura (demon) king, Bali. However, he was very religious, was respectful to priests[3] and performed Vedic Aswamedha sacrifices to enlarge his kingdom and like his grandfather (Prahlada), was one of the greatest devotees of Lord Vishnu (Bali became the greatest) on Earth as he sacrificed his kingdom for the Lord. 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 Bali. 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 Bali and everybody was happy and content.
However, because he was a Daitya (descendant of Diti) who was a rakshasa or a cannibal, he was viewed by the Devas as unsafe. Otherwise, as the Vamana Purana reads, the rule of Mahabali was righteous.[4]
It is further believed (as from the Thiruppavai) that he occupied the property of others.[5]
[edit] Brief Sketch of King Mahabali
The king was from the line of Diti, a deity in the Rigveda. Bali is the descendant of this line. The real name of Bali is Indrasena.[6]
Bali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad, who refused to side with his father (a.k.a. Iraniyan[7]) that would severely punish him, and worshiped Vishnu with great devotion. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna says that out of the Daityas, He is Prahlada. Prahalada's father was the Asura King Hiranyakashipu who was slain by Vishnu in his avatar as Narasimha (The Man-Lion).
Hiranya Kasipu's brother Hiranyaksha was slain by Vishnu in his Avatar of Varaha (Boar). After slaying Hiranyaksha, all of the sins of the Asuras carried were wiped away by Lord Vishnu.[8]
Virocana once says to Bali that it was not Vishnu who killed all of the demons, but a minister of a powerful realm.[9]
Maha Bali literally means Great Sacrifice. The sacrifice interprets as a sacrifice to either God or a king in Hindu texts like the Rigveda, although also a tax to the king.[10][11] In the Rigveda, a king is known as "Balihrt".[12] Many times "bali" the tax was oppressive and its collectors are described as being man-eating demons.[13] Patanjali calls the bali given to the Maharaja as Maharaja-bali.[14]
Bali's wife was Vindhayavali[15] and his daughter, Ratnamala.[16]
[edit] Challenge for the Devas
Bali first fought Indra, wherein he was beheaded (by Indra) and then revived by his Brahmin Guru Shukracharya.[17] Bali then asked his guru whether there is anyway to withstand an attack in a future war with Indra, and as a result, his guru advised him to conduct a sacrificial fire.[18] From the fire emerged horses, bows, arrows and a jewel garland (that made its wearer invincible), all of which Bali used to overcome the Devas.[19]
Looking at the growing popularity and fame of King Bali the Devas became extremely concerned that the Daitya way (cannibalism) might conquer the people. Bali had already obtained a "vara" (boon) from Lord Brahma.[20] As Vibhisana in the Ramayana tells Rama that although Mahabali was a wise king, there was much violence against Devas[21] There was tyranny against them.[22] The Devas felt threatened about their own supremacy and began to think of a strategy to get rid of the dilemma.
As Indra prepared to kill Bali once again Vishnu intervened and said to Indra that he himself would take care of the matter.[23] Meanwhile, Aditi (mother of Devas) asked Kashyapa (father of Devas and Asuras) to father a son that would conquer the demon children of Diti.[24]
It was said Bali 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 Bali, just after Bali performed his morning prayers and was preparing to grant boons to Brahmins.
[edit] Lord Vishnu takes Vamana Avatar
Mahabali was performing an Aswamedha Yagna with Bhrigu priests on the northern bank of the Narmada River.[25] Disguised as Vamana, Vishnu said he was a poor Brahmin and asked for a piece of land. The generous King Bali said to Vamana that 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. 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 to Vishnu. The Brahmin placed his foot on the head was pleased and offered him patala, the nether world.
[edit] Vishnu grants a great boon to King Mahabali
As he was pushed down into Patala (a good[26] colony of demons), King Bali made a last request. He requested that he be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year to ensure that his people were still happy, well fed and content. Lord Vishnu was pleased to grant Mahabali his wish.
Also, by the boon of Vishnu, Bali will be the next (Purandara is the current Indra[27]), that is, the eighth Indra (King of Devas) during the time of the eighth Manu, Savarni Manu.
Before he left for Patala, he bowed to Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva.[28]
The theme of the story has been (repeatedly theorized in texts) is that whether Ravana or Bali, all things animate are endowed with great potentialities for good and evil.[29]
Scholar Veermani P. Upadhyaya writes that even divinity cannot protect a person from accumulating sin by acting as owner of all, or "mahasriman".[30]
It is notable that even though Vishnu, God, tested Bali, the king retained his faith in God.[31]
[edit] 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.
This fascinating legend is artistically depicted at the Suchindram Temple in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, where Lord Shiva slayed Banasura, the evil child of the holy Mahabali.
The Onam is observed by Orthodox Hindus as the return of the pious Mahabali to Kerala.[32]
Colorful aquatic festivals (e.g., boat races) are held on this occasion on the banks of the river Pampa.[33]
The celebration occurs in the cities/towns of Alappuzha, Aranmula, Champakulam and Kottayam.[34]
[edit] Views of Bali
He is thought of by the Hindus as a true devotee of God.[35] Shuk compared the saint-singer Narsihn Metha to Bali.[36]
Because of the fact that Bali was such as great devotee of Vishnu, his son Bana was not slain by Lord Vishnu.[37]
In the Yoga Vasistha, Lord Rama inquires about King Bali and he is told by his Guru Vasistha that Bali was a great king and is always protected by Lord Vishnu.[38]
[edit] In Sikhism
Vamana is discussed in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred text of Sikhism.[39]
-
- satjugi tai maNiO ChaliO bali bAvan bhAiO
- In Satyayuga, you sported as the dwarf incarnation, and fooled Bali.
On page 1330 of the Guru Granth Sahib, Vamana is mentioned as the "enticer" of Baliraja.[40]
[edit] Alternative views
[edit] When Bali Became Pious
According to the Yoga Vasistha, after inquiring about the realm beyond the universe, heaven, devas and asuras, which is ruled by the mind, Bali thus concentrates on the mind and being satisfied in himself, and teaches the asuras to do so likewise.[41] From then one, he became a devotee.[42]
He is known to be the supreme example of the "ghiest" and Sadhana of Nava Vidha Bhakti, namely Atmanadevana.[43]
It is believed that Bali was a practitioner of the Raja Yoga.[44]
[edit] Battle with Indra and Acquiring Indra's Possessions
Other versions describing the first battle between Bali and Indra indicate that Bali was not beheaded and that the Brahmin Sukracarya performed the "Mritra sanjeevani" (wherein only non-beheaded bodies can be revived.)[45]
It is also believed that Bali had not yet achieved Indra's throne in texts such as Abhinanda's Rāmaćarita[46] and as a result was performing the Aswamedha Yagna (which Indian kings have historically performed to enlarge their kingdom) to finally achieve it. He attempted to perform as many as Indra.[47] Then Vamana intervened and in the sacrifice asked for 3 strides of land.[48]
[edit] Vishnu Supported Bali to Teach Indra
According to the Brahma-Vaivarta Puranam, it was Lord Vishnu who positioned Bali in power to curb the pride of Indra.[49]
The Srimad Bhagavatam reads "He [Vishnu] will take the kingdom away from Purandara [Lord Indra] and give it to Bali Maharaja."[50]
[edit] Shiva Blessed Bali
A Shaiva tradition declares that a rat, by coming into contact with a lamp (and thus making it burn brighter) in a Siva temple was born subsequently as the famous emperor, Mahabali (P. 180 Philosophical Series by University of Madras, 1960). According to this legend, first Lord Shiva said to his consort Paravati that anyone who would make the "deepa" (lamp) burn brighter would become the ruler of the three worlds.[51] A rat approached it, wanting to drink the ghee (melted butter) but as it attempted to drink, the flame was rekindled into its mouth.[52] Parvati asked Lord Shiva to keep his promise and so Lord Shiva did.[53]
The Skanda Purana, a Saivite text also reads that Bali worships Shiva everyday.[54]
[edit] Ganesha Blessed Vamana's Mission
Some hold that it was Ganesha who gave the blessings to Vishnu in his avatar of Vamana.[55].
[edit] Bali Bound in Ropes
Although Bali was true to his word on giving whatever Vamana requested, in some legends, he is said to have been bounded with the ropes of Varuna by Garuda since Vamana could not place his foot anywhere on the earth and Bali requested Vamana place it on Bali's own head.[56] In the Srimad Bhagvata Purana. Brahma (father of asuras) then asks Vamana to release Bali.[57] Bali was released from the ropes and bowed before Vishnu.[58]
According to the Padma Purana, Bali along with his kinsmen, friends and followers were bound.[59]
[edit] Bali After Leaving Earth
It is said that Bali attained Moksha by atmanidedinam.[60] Krishna in the Sri Rūpa Gosvāmīs Bhakti-rasāmrta-sindhuh[61] says that Bali came to Him or attained Him.
According to the Adhatya Ramayana It is also said that Vamana Maharaja is the guard of the gate of Bali Maharaja's planet Sutala[62][63] and will remain so forever.[64] Tulsidas' Ramayana too declares that Vamana became the "dwarpal" (gate-defender) of Bali.[65]
In the Vamana Puranna, it is written that Bali performed the Aswamedha sacrifice n the Kurukshetra, where Bali deprived Indra of his kingdom.[66]
[edit] Kings Paying Tribute to Mahabali
The Bhavishyottara Purana reads that a king should pay respect to King Bali, "the future Indra."[67]
[edit] Mahabali visiting Kurukshetra
Mahabali is said to visit Kurukshetra, bestowing it with gifts.[68]
[edit] Connection with Ravana
It is said in Valmiki's Ramayana that King Bali tied Ravana in a cowshed.[69]
[edit] Connection with Maritime Geological Events
According to scholar Preston Peet in his Underground! : the disinformation guide to ancient civilizations, astonishing archaeology and hidden history this story of Vamana ousting Bali Chakravarti can be understood as geological change from maritime to landward expansion, guided by rishis possessed of special knowledge.[70]
[edit] Asuras versus Devas
In the days of Rigveda, there were two major groups of Aryans; The Indo-Aryans who believed that Aditi was the true mother of the gods and Irano-Aryans (Dasyu) who believed Diti, the twin sister was. This caused a split between the Indians and the Aryans with many Daityas migrating towards Iran, but some remained in India. Bali is the descendant of this line. Scholar D. R. Bhandarkar writes in his Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Culture that "Parsus or Persians" was an old term for "Rakshasas" (demons).)[71] He further says that the word is used together with Asuras in Panini's Parshvadi-gana.
A few scholars believe that these demons Hiranyakashipu were actually Iranians fighting with Indians.[72] However scholar Askhoy Mazumdar as being from the Daitya branch of the Aryans ruling in 29th century BC northwest India.[73] He is held by many of the same as being the "Aryan colonizer" of eastern and southeastern India.[74]
[edit] Historical
It is interesting to note that the Pallava kingdom ruled from the capital city of Maha-bali-puram(Mahabalipuram) starting from around 7th century. There are mentions of many Bana chieftains, (Banasura being son of Bali), ruling Tamilnadu during the periods when the Chera, Chola and Pandiya were not as powerful.
[edit] 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. The Nepali version of Diwali has many connections to Bali, the song and dance festival of duesey and bhailoram during Diwali is believed to have been started by Bali.
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.
[edit] See also
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[edit] External links
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