| Mahabali | |
|---|---|
| Member ofChiranjivi | |
 Mahabali serves Vamana, while a suspicious Shukra tries to stop him. Painting from Mankot, Jammu and Kashmir,c.. 1700–1725. | |
| Affiliation | Daitya,Asura |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | Virochana (father), Vishalakshi (mother) |
| Spouse | Vindhyavali[a] |
| Children | 100 sons includingBanasura,Namasu, Sahasika, and Shakuni 2 daughters Ratnamala/Yagyamala and Vajrajvala (wife ofKumbhakarna) |
Mahabali (IAST: Mahābalī), also known asBali,Indrasenan, orMāveli, is adaitya king featured inHinduism. He is the grandson ofPrahlada, and a descendant of the sageKashyapa. There are many versions of his legend in ancient texts such as theShatapatha Brahmana,Ramayana,Mahabharata, and severalPuranas. According toHindu literature, he was blessed to be one of theChiranjivi, a group of seven immortals, by theVamana avatar ofVishnu and reigns in the Sutaloka.[2][3][4]
It is believed that Mahabali will become the King ofSvarga (heaven) in the nextyuga. InKerala, Mahabali is considered to be the noblest and most prosperous ruler, who transformed his kingdom into a heavenly place. His legend is a major part of the annual festivalOnam in the state ofKerala, and it is celebrated inMaharashtra,Karnataka,Gujarat,Telangana, andAndhra Pradesh asBalipratipada,Balipādyami, or Bali pādva (the third day ofDeepavali and first day ofKartika month).[5][2][6][7]
Mahabali is described in early Hindu texts as a benevolent and generous king. He ruled without discrimination, and his people were honest, healthy, and happy under his rule.[8] Mahabali also temporarily possessed theamrita (nectar of eternal life) obtained by theasuras.[9] The amrita allowed his subjects to bring him back to life after his death in one of the wars betweensuras (devas) andasuras.[10][9] Mahabali was, thus, immune from death. After many wars, the invincible Bali had conquered heaven and earth. Thesuras (devas) approached Vishnu to save them from complete obliteration. Vishnu refused to join the devas in violence against Mahabali, because Mahabali is a benevolent king and his own devotee. To restore the natural order, he incarnated as the dwarf Brahmin avatar,Vamana. While Mahabali was performing theashvamedha sacrifice to celebrate his victories and giving away gifts to everyone, Vamana approached him and requested "three steps of land".[10][11] Mahabali granted him this gift, despite warnings fromShukra, who had realised Vamana's true identity. Vamana then metamorphosed into Vishnu's colossal trivikrama form, the first foot encompassing all of heaven in one step and the earth with the second foot. When rhetorically asked where he might take his promised third step, Mahabali accepted his fate and offered his own head. Some Hindu texts state that Mahabali was banished topatala (netherworld), some state he was dragged there byGaruda, in others he enteredheaven with the touch of Vishnu, while another version states he becameChiranjivi (immortal).[10] Others even have Bali admitted intoVaikuntha, which was an even higher place than the realm of the devas.[12]
In other versions of the story, when Vamana asks where to place his next step, Mahabali offers his own head to him because he realizes that he is anavatar of Vishnu. Vishnu then sends the king topatala, but seeing Mahabali's gesture, he is pleased and wants Mahabali to ask for a boon. Mahabali wishes for Vishnu to stay with him in his palace inpatala and give him the privilege of serving him. However, whenGoddess Lakshmi finds out, she does not approve. She goes topatala, makes Mahabali her brother, and requests him to let her husband come back to her in Vaikuntha. In response to this situation, Vishnu decides that he will visit Mahabali's palace every year and rest/sleep there for four months. To ensure that the world continues to function while he is resting inpatala, Vishnu gave his responsibility of running the world toShiva. Those four months, during which Vishnu rests and Shiva runs the world, are known asChaturmas. In this way, Mahabali played an important part in the start of Chaturmas.[13]
According to one story, Vishnu granted Bali a boon whereby he could return to his homeland once every year. The harvest festivals ofBalipratipada andOnam are celebrated to mark his yearly homecoming.[2][6][14] Literature and inscriptions in Hindu temples suggest that these festivals, featuring colourful decorations, lighted lamps, gift giving, feasts and community events, have been popular in India for more than a millennium.[2][15] Bali is also featured in theRamayana whereRavana tries to free him from Patala, but is unable to.[10]
Mahabhali had a wife named Vindhyavalli, who was also referred to as Ashrama. With her he had many sons, including the Shiva devoteeBana (Banasura) andNamasu (Prince Namuchi). It is believed that Vindhyavalli once saved Bana from the wrath ofKrishna.[16]
King Mahabali is also found in the mythologies ofJainism. He is the sixth of ninePrativasudevas (Prati-narayanas, anti-heroes).[17] He is depicted as an evil king who schemed and attempted to rob Purusha's wife.[18] He is defeated and killed by Purusha. In Jain mythology, the antagonists to Mahabali are the two sons born to King Mahasiva (Mahasiras): Ananda (the sixth Baladeva) and Purusapundarika (the sixth Vasudeva).[18]
Mahabali is also mentioned in Jain inscriptions, where the patron compares the defeated evil opponents of the current king to Mahabali. For example, in the Girnar inscriptions of Gujarat dated to about 1231 CE (1288 Vikrama era), minister Vastupala of theChaulukya dynasty is praised as a great king by Jains, and the inscriptions connect him to Mahabali because Vastupala gave much charity. Some excerpts from the inscriptions are:
Mahabali is a common name and found in other contexts. For example, in Jain history, Mahabali is the name of the son of Bahubali, who was given Bahubali's kingdom before Bahubali became a monk.[23]
Bali appears in several Buddhist sutras, such as the Dānapāramitā Sūtra, the Ratnamegha Sūtra, and theLotus Sutra; where he is seen among the audience who listens to the Buddha's discourses.
TheKāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra features an extensive dialogue between Bali and thebodhisattvaAvalokiteśvara that occurred during the life of the BuddhaViśvabhū. Bali relates his story of being imprisoned in the underworld byNārāyaṇa. The asura king repents for his misdeeds and praises the qualities of Avalokiteśvara and the pure landSukhāvatī. Avalokiteśvara bestows a prediction that Bali will someday become a fully awakended buddha named Śrī who will lead the asuras in the Dharma.
Bali offers Avalokiteśvara "strings of pearls worth a hundred thousand silver coins and diadems adorned with various jewels." Before leaving his abode, Avalokiteśvara gives a teaching about how humans must leave Jambudvīpa upon death and are subject to the punishments of KingYama in hell. He then tells Bali of the importance of cultivating merit in this life.[24]
For people in Kerala, Mahabali is remembered fondly as a great and benevolent king. Keralites celebrate the festivalOnam to commemorate the glorious days of Mahabali. They believe that Mahabali, once ruled Kerala. During Onam, the asura king is believed to return to see his people.
In Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, several people believe that Mahabali was an ancient king.[25] Special puja is offered during the third day of Deepavali and first day of Kartika month, which they call, 'Bali padwa', ' Bali pratipada', and 'Bali Padyami'. In coastal Karnataka, people offer a special dish to the being on a plate prepared with bamboo tree sticks, along with a lamp, and through the medium of a Tulu folklore song, request him to accept their offerings. People believe that on the third day of the festival, the king comes out of Patala for a day to see his kingdom.[26]
The town ofMahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu is also associated with him.[1]
InHinduism in Thailand andTai folk religion call him isChao Krung Bhali (เจ้ากรุงพาลี). He is regarded as chief ofdeity serve as guardians of the earth. (พระภูมิเจ้าที่)deity guardians of the trees (รุกขเทวดา) andTutelary deity. (เทพารักษ์) which deity these types same match withGrāmadevatā andKuladevata inHinduism.,statue of his most important located inHo kaew sal Phra bhum (หอแก้วศาลพระภูมิ) which isSpirit house for deity guardian ofGrand Palace which is on the side ofPhra Thinang Chai Chumpol but located in the area of the Inner royal Court (accommodation ofConsort, concubine with daughter unmarried and woman attendant).,[27] Him will receive special worship during the old Thai new year festival (เทศกาลตรุษไทย) accordingLunar calendar (around the end of the month March to early April) before theSongkran festival., by invitingstatue of his withstatue other inSpirit house for deity guardianGrand Palace., Come to worship withSiam Devadhiraj which was regarded as the chairman of chief deity guardian ofGrand Palace., which accompanying ceremony inPhra Thinang Phaisan Thaksin annually byMonarchy of Thailand or agent ofMonarchy of Thailand.[28] As for theTai folk religion He was generally worshiped together withdeity serve as guardians of the earth.,deity guardians of the trees andTutelary deity. by his famousstatue andSpirit house of him located inSan Chao Krung Bhali (ศาลเจ้ากรุงพาลี) in Noen Phra sud district inMueang Rayong districtRayong province which has been praised by indigenous people to beTutelary deity guardian of community.[29][30][31][32]
The Sapta Chiranjivi Stotram is a mantra that is featured inHindu literature:
अश्वत्थामा बलिर्व्यासो हनुमांश्च विभीषण:।
कृप: परशुरामश्च सप्तैतै चिरञ्जीविन:॥
सप्तैतान् संस्मरेन्नित्यं मार्कण्डेयमथाष्टमम्।
जीवेद्वर्षशतं सोपि सर्वव्याधिविवर्जितः॥aśvatthāmā balirvyāsō hanumāṁśca vibhīṣaṇaḥ।
kṛpaḥ paraśurāmaśca saptaitai cirañjīvinaḥ॥
saptaitān saṁsmarēnnityaṁ mārkaṇḍēyamathāṣṭamam।
jīvēdvarṣaśataṁ sopi sarvavyādhivivarjitaḥ॥— Sapta Chiranjivi Stotram
The mantra states that the remembrance of the eight immortals (Ashwatthama, Mahabali,Vyasa,Hanuman,Vibhishana,Kripa,Parashurama, andMarkandeya) offers one freedom from ailments and longevity.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
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