Grandson of Prahlada, devotee of Vishnu, though a king of Rakshasas, he ruled with righteousness and the welfare of the subjects at heart. Mahabali conquered the world, but is mostly known for the charity he had done to lord Vamana, in the following event.

 

The Legend of King Mahabali

In Mahabali’s extensive hall of sacrifice, there were the recitation of Vedas, and the jam auspicious sounds of music of the instruments. Shukracharya was officiating as the head-priest at the hundredth horse sacrifice. The saints, Gandharavas and the subjects from the three worlds had come in large numbers to witness the sacrifice. At one place there were heaps of pearls and precious stones from which gifts were given. At another place cows and jewelry were distributed as gifts. Adorned with clothes made of goldthread, Mahabali sat with his wife Vindhyavali before the holy fire and performed Homa. Shukracharya approached Mahabali and whispered, “0 king Mahabali, it is time to complete the sacrifice. You have to be very careful now. Who can guess the deceitful ways of the Devas? They may even send Vishnu to this hall of sacrifice. Mahabali said, “O preceptor, is that so? Then advise me how I should conduct myself if Vishnu himself comes here.” Shukracharya said, “Listen, this is my advice. If Vishnu comes and asks for any gift, deny it cleverly. Plead your inability to give anything to the Almighty and All-powerful and send him away.” Mahabali was not pleased with this advice

 

Vamana, Lord Vishnu’s Avatar Visits Mahabali

Vamana - Avatar of MahavishnuEven as they were talking, the hall of sacrifice filled with murmurs of ‘Make way, make way.’ Every one moved aside and made way for the new guest. Mahabali and his queen stood up eagerly and looked towards the entrance gate. A little bachelor of about eight years was making his way towards them. His face was shining with a smile. He held an umbrella over his head. A plait of hair was hanging at the back of his head. He wore the sacred thread on his bare body the lower part of which was covered with cloth made of fiber. His hands held the staff of an ascetic and a water jug. There was deerskin under his armpit. He wore the mark of sandal wood paste on his forehead. It looked as though he had combined all branches of knowledge in his young body. He was taking his steps towards Mahabali. Everyone saw what was happening in silence.

The young ascetic addressed Mahabali and said, “O King Mahabali, let auspicious things happen to you.” Mahabali, his queen Vindhyavali, their son Bana and the rest were struck with wonder and went on admiring his stature for a time.

ॐॐ Read about the other Avatars of Lord Vishnu ॐॐ

 

The young ascetic continued speaking and said, “King of the Daityas, this is splendid sacrifice. I can judge what a righteous man you are from the flames rising to the skies from the place of sacrifice; from the kind of eatables served to people at this festivity; from the gifts of pearls and precious stones given in charity; from lakhs and lakhs of admiring subjects who have gathered here out of love and from the chanting of the Vedas. You must give me a gift suitable to this superb sacrifice.”

Mahabali felt elated and proud. He turned to his queen and said, “Vindhyavali, how pleasant and meaningful are the words of this little ascetic! We are indeed fortunate to set our eyes on this jewel of learning. Bring holy water in a golden jug. Let us wash his feet and earn merit.” Vindhyavali brought a jug full of water. Mahabali and his queen washed the feet of the young ascetic, offered flowers and sandalwood paste and worshipped him. Then Mahabali made him sit on a precious seat and spoke to him, “Great man, though you are young and short, your learning has made you shine above all others. Who are you? Your handsome body is a feast to the eyes. Your words are sweet like honey. What can I do for you? What can I give you? Ask whatever you desire, or everything that I have. I shall give anything that you ask.”

The young ascetic said “0 king of Danavas I came here to ask you for a gift only because I know you will give all I ask, as you are the lord of the three worlds. I am the son of Kashyapa and my name is Vamanamurthy. I am a bachelor and so I do not need either kingdom or wealth. I have been just initiated into the knowledge of Brahman and started wearing the sacred thread. I am yet to give my gurudakshina to my preceptor. My preceptor Bhardwaj needs a few paces of land to perform the religious rites of ‘Agnihotra’. Therefore I ask you to give me only three paces of land to be measured by my feet. That will satisfy me.”

Mahabali burst with laughter on hearing Vamana’s request. He said, “One who asks me for anything should not feel the need to ask for gifts from anyone else later.

Even if you ask for one of the kingdoms under my authority, I shall grant it. I feel ashamed to give you this little bit of land. What do you gain from this? At least ask for more land.”

Vamanamurthy said, “0 king, my work will be fulfilled with the grant of my request. Therefore make me the gift of the three paces of land that I ask.” Mahabali replied, ‘Well, let me fulfil your desire. Wait till I bring the golden jug containing water from the hermitage” and went inside the hermitage. At once Shukracharya followed Mahabali into the hermitage and said, ‘What is this foolishness, king? Without consulting any one you have promised to give charity to the young ascetic. Do you know who this boy really is? He is the friend of the Devas. It is Vishnu in the form   of Vaamana who has come here as your enemy!”

Mahabali said calmly, “Is that so, guru deva? Has Narayana, to please whom saints and wise men perform austerities for years, come on his own to ask for charity from me? Has he become Vaamana only to take gift from me? I am indeed fortunate that Narayana has come to my place to take a gift from me. This could only be due to the merit earned by me in my previous life.”

But Shukracharya said, “King Mahabali, you feel proud only because of your ignorance. At least now, be wise and take my advice. It is not a sin to go back on one’s word in self-defense. So do not give what he asks. If you do not take my advice, it will bring about the ruin of yourself and the Danavas. As soon as he takes the gift from you, Sri Hari will undo you just as he undid Hiranyakashipu.”

Mahabali replied, ‘Guru Deva, charity given regardless of the hardships is the best.

Sri Hari asks, I am prepared to give even my head. Can there be greater glory former than giving when Sri Hari’s hand is spread out to receive the gift? Please do not stop me from giving.”

Having spoken thus, Mahabali walked straight to Vaamana with the golden jug full of water. He addressed Vamanamurthy and said, “Deva, I am ready to give; extend your hand and receive it.” Vaamana stretched his hands under the hand of Mahabali. Mahabali placed his hand with tulasi leaves upon Vamana’s hands, while Vindhyavali poured water from the golden jug as the priest’s chanted verses symbolic of the act of giving. At once the heavenly drums began to sound from all directions of the earth. Heavens rained petals of flowers on Mahabali and Vaamana.

Vamana and King Mahabali - Story of King MahabaliVamanamurthy was not short now. He grew from height to height. People wondered at the sudden growth. He now measured from his first foot all the empire of Mahabali on earth and the under-world. He then measured Mahabali’s empire in Heaven with his second step and asked Mahabali where he should take his third measure.

Danavas who witnessed this could not be silent spectators. They had aspired to occupy the other worlds and rule them under the over lordship of Mahabali. They became mad with anger. With uplifted weapons they came to attack Vaamana. There were frightening sounds every- where. Mahabali who stood with folded hands stopped them and said, “Danavas, get back. Vaamana is Vishnu, Lord of the World. You defeated Devas once with His blessing. He is now with Devas. Therefore it is natural that they should win against you.” Hearing these words, Danavas stepped back.

Banasura became unhappy seeing his father’s condition. He addressed Vamanamurthy and said: “Lord of the World, my father gave you what you asked in charity. He has not offended you in any way. You asked for three paces of land in the guise of a short ascetic. Is it fair for you to measure the land with your extra- ordinary feet now? My father has given away the whole of his empire to you.

What is left with him now to give you further? You who should have been impartial, have taken sides with the Devas and have done injustice to us.”

Then Vaamana turned to Mahabali and said: “0 King Mahabali, this is only a test of your vow to give charity. You did not hesitate to give what I asked even in the middle of your difficulties. You never regretted your charity even though I claimed all your empire. You never felt unhappy when you were bound to your vow. You did not feel sorry even though your kith and kin deserted you. Though your preceptor Shukracharya cursed you, you did not give up your truthfulness. Who has your patience? You have earned a higher place than the Devas by your fame. Be immortal! Now ask me for any boon that you want.”

Mahabali said, “0 Lord of the World, I am not pained at being defeated by you. The pride of insolence is bad. You have taught Danavas swollen with insolence a good lesson. I can tolerate all this but not the disgrace of having to eat my words as one whom could not fulfil his vow to give charity. Please place your third step on my head and be pleased to accept it in fulfillment of my promised gift.”

Vaamana agreed to Mahabali’s request. Having received Sri Hari’s foot on his head, Mahabali was discharged of his debt. People who witnessed this shouted, “King of devotees, soldier of charity, emperor Mahabali, honored of the world.” Tears of joy flowed down their eyes.

Vaamana gave the three worlds he had received as gift to Indra, Vaamana addressed Mahabali in the presence of all and said, “Dana vendra, I give you the Kingdom of Sutala in the underworld. I shall give you one more boon. I shall protect your fort as Janaardanah and keep watch over your fort and defeat your enemies. You may ask one more boon.”

Mahabali said, “0 Lord, as the protector of my fort you have given me the privilege of seeing you every day. For such a privilege even Rudra, Brahma and Lakshmi are not entitled. What else is there for me to ask? But since you want me to ask for a boon, I do so. Though I go to Sutala in the under -world, I cannot forget the subjects of my erstwhile kingdom on earth. Therefore let me be blessed to see the happiness of my subjects at least once a year.

“Vaamana granted his request and said: “The auspicious day on which you gave me charity will be celebrated as a festival on earth every year in future. On that day the whole earth will be the kingdom of Mahabali. People will worship you during day and light lamps at night as a symbol of their ideals and joy.”

Having spoken thus, Vaamana departed with Brahma. Pious Mahabali went to Sutala along with Prahlada and other kith and kin. He constructed a beautiful temple there for Janaardanah. Sri Hari took his stand as Janaardanah, as the guardian and protector of Mahabali’s fort and palace.

The pious king Mahabali pleased the Lord of the World by his act of charity and became endeared to the world by that act and his kingdom on earth became a land of plenty on account of his charity. God was pleased by his act and became the guardian and protector of Mahabali’s palace. Vamana also granted a boon to King Mahabali.

A Painting by Raja Ravi Varma - Legend of King Mahabali

 

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.

 

Story of Onam

It is the day of the visit of King Mahabali to Kerala that is celebrated as Onam every year. The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of King Mahabali. Every year people make elaborate preparations to welcome their King whom they affectionately call Onathappan. They wish to please the spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him well. The second day, Thiruvonam is the biggest and the most important day of this festival. It is believed that King Mahabali visits his people on the second day.

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 Trikkakara. 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. Mahabali’s kingdom is remembered and people shout with joy, “Let the ideal kingdom of Mahabali dawn at the earliest on earth.”

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