Onam is a Puraanic story of Mahaa Bali and Vaaman taken from Bhaagavat Puraan[i].
It is a history from early ‘Treta-Yug’, much before the Ramaayan[ii]
times.
King Mahaa Bali was a devotee of Bhagavaan Vishnu. His
country was peaceful and subjects were happy. He ruled with fairness and
kindness. Mahaa Bali was brave, generous and a man of character. He had
performed Aswamedha[iii]-Yagna.
Indra was jealous of him due to his superior abilities and virtues. He was
scared that Bali might stake claim on Indraasan. Indra pleaded with Bhagavan
Vishnu for help to save his Indraasan. To help Indra, Bhagavaan Vishnu takes
inconspicuous form of an innocent smallish looking Brahmin going by the name
Vaaman. He goes to Mahaa Bali and asks for land large enough for placing his 3
steps. Mentor, Guru, Shukra-Acharya forewarns Mahaa Bali about possible dangers
from Vaaman. However, Bali agrees to 3-steps land. Vaaman, then expands his
form into a super-giant and covers Bali’s entire kingdom in two pace. Vaaman
wonders where he should place third step. Honorable Bali recognizes Vaaman as
Bhagavaan Almighty and bows to Him. As there was no other place left, Bali
offers his head to Vaaman, requesting Him to place His foot on it for third step.
God is pleased with Bali’s gesture and gives him boons and then placing his
foot on Bali’ head, pushes him down to Paataal-Loka. Driven by love for his
subjects, Mahaa Bali requests that he, be allowed to visit his country once
every year. Vaaman agrees. In addition, He vows to protect him and gives him
the ruler-ship of the Paataal-Loka. With these boons, Mahaa Bali is still alive
and visits his subjects every year. His boon of yearly-once visit inadvertently
becomes a boon of long life, making him ‘Chiranjeev’[iv]
(चिरंजीव having a
long life just short of immortality).
Importance of Mahaa Bali in
the Sanskriti: It is interesting to
know that the all-important festival of Dipaavali is the last day of the Vikram
Samvat year, but the Bali-Pratipadaa day is the first day of the New Year, 1st
Kaartik. King Mahaa Bali has a special place in the hearts of people from
Kerala. Malayalees[v] consider
Mahaa Bali as their ‘king’ from time immemorial. Therefore, in Kerala, the
festival of Onam, marking ‘annual-one-day-home-coming’ of Mahaa Bali, is
celebrated by everyone, Hindu or otherwise. Government of Kerala celebrates
Onam as ‘state festival’ (generally, secular Indian governments do not
celebrate religious festivals). People of Gujarat not only honor Mahaa Bali but
also his wife Vidyaavati on Gujarati New Year day, the Bali-Pratipadaa.
Importance of Vaaman in the
Sanskriti: Vaaman Jayanti is an
important festival for all Hindus, all over the world, as birthday of an
Avataar of Vishnu. In Kerala, however, as compared to Onam, the celebration of Vaaman
Jayanti is not very noticeable except among Hindu Malayalees.
Festival of Oman/Waaman Jayanti occurs in the month of Bhaadrapada
on 12th Suda (Bright-half-month), which roughly translates as month
of ‘Chingum’ in Kerala or Aug/Sept. The day, Mahaa Bali’s homecoming is
celebrated with appropriate Pooja, preparation of sweets, feasts, new clothes,
Rangoli designs and decorating homes welcoming the king.
[i]
Puraan is a class of ancient holy literature. They are historic accounts stated
in story form. There are tens of diferrent Puraans. The Bhaagavat Puraan covers
life and times of Avataars of Bhagavaan Vishnu.
[iii]
Ashvamedh Yagna is a sustained campaign that involves unifying all kingdoms
ruled by various different kings under one ‘federation’ with the most powerful
king as its head. At the end of the successful campaign, a monarch performs
Ashvamedh Yagna. Only an extraordinarily brave king can accomplish this Yagna.
[iv] अश्वत्थामा
बलिर्व्यासो हनूमांश्च विभिषणः। कृपः परशुरामश्च सप्तैते चिरजीविनः।। Seven persons having very long life, still said to be alive from times
immemorial, Ashwathamaa, Mahaa Bali, Vyaas, Hanumaan, Vibhishana, Krupa and
Parashuraam
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