Asura Chakravarthi Mahabali

The Asuras were considered at par with the Devas. The King of the Devas Indra constantly felt threatened by Asuras. The samudramanthan and subsequent find of Amruth the Elixir and the complete monopoly over the Elixir did not settle the fear of the Gods  of the power of Asuras. There are very few Asuras who have an amicable place in the hearts of the Hindus. All Asuras find place in mythology as the Villans, Ravana, Mahishasura, Hiranyakashyapu, Bhasmaasura and many more.

The Strangest of the tales is this one of Mahabali, he was the grand son of Prahalad (Even in the story of Prahalad, being an Asura does not outweigh the popularity of Narasimha) and well loved and respected king. To this day he is perhaps the only Asura who is welcomed and honoured year after year and has a festival associated with him for him and somehow the Vamana Avatara related to this mythological story is somehow subdued. 

The fifth Avataar of Vishnu is considered to have been the one to send this Asura to Patala loka. Even this Vamana Avataar seemed dwarfned by the Love and respect commanded by this king. In fact it is believed that the bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the King of Kings. It was said Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody approached him for help or requested for anything he always granted their wish.

Mural Art Mahabali & Vamana

On the bequest of Aditi the mother of Indra, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf and a poor Brahmin called Vamana. He came to the Kingdom of Mahabali, just when Mahabali is said to have been performing the 100th Ashwamedha Yagna that would proclaim him the king of all the lokas. Vishnu took the form of a poor Brahmin, Vamana, 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 but agreed. A learned adviser of the  Asura King, Shukracharya sensed that Vamana was not an ordinary person and warned the King against making the promise. But, the generous King replied that it would be a sin for a King to go back on his words and asked the Brahmin to take the land. The King could not imagine that the dwarf Brahmin was Lord Vishnu himself. 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. 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. Lord Vishnu is also said to have granted Mahabali the boon to be the next Indra, until the time he is Proclaimed the King of the Devas he is to rule patala.

Many believe the nether land or Patala, is a weird and undesirable place. But if you Ponder about  the mythological stories, for example The Lanka of Ravana, was a beautiful place believed to be a city of gold. It did not matter where they lived they made it a beautiful place that even the Devas were envious of. Where the Devas had Vishwakarma to make heaven a beautiful place, the Asuras had Maya. The Myths are entertaining, its up to you to interpret it. We all have our own perspectives,our own thoughts and our own understanding. Onam is reliving the Golden Era of Mahabali. A period of harvest and festivities.