Another Onam is here. Wishes to All the Readers of this Blog.
Despite the diminishing relevance of Onam, which is essentially an Agrarian Festival, in a State that is highly Service Sector oriented, it is still a time for family get together, socialization and general lifting of the mood for the people. Any diversion from day to day struggles is welcome.
Mahabali, who ruled the Earth, and in whose memory Onam is celebtrated, was a just and wise king. So why was he sent back to Pathala by Vamanan, thus depriving everyone of the benefactors rule, where as the saying goes, 'there was no lies, cheating, under measurement, theft', but only prosperity prevailed?
The reason lies elsewhere. The Swarga lokam is for Devas. Bhoomi for Humans and Pathala for Asuras. Pathala is not the hell we make it out to be. It is as prosperous as Swarga lokam. This was the law of nature.
But ambitious Kings, many a time, transgressed to others territory with a view to expand their Kingdom. Mahabali, an Asura, was not supposed to conquer the Earth as that meant occupation by force. As an analogy, one can imagine a British Ruler, however benevolent he may be, ruling over India. We will never accept it. 'Bandhoora Kanjana Kottilanengilum, Bandhanam Bandhanam thane paaril'. (Even if it is a golden cage, it still denotes confinement)
So Mahabali had to be sent back to Pathala and Lord Vishnu, in the guise of Vamanan, helped Humans get back their rightful Kingdom from the usurper, though a good one.
Again Contrary to what many thinks, Vamanan did not send Mahabali to Pathala by force. When there was no place for Vamanan to place his third step, Mahabali, a Vishnu Bhakthan, gracefully asked the Almighty to place it on his head, thus accepting his complete subservience to God. Even today in Vishnu temple, we allow Gods padam or leg (mounted on a Kireedam) to be placed on our head. It is for this devotion that Vishnu blessed Mahabali and allowed him to come up to Earth once in a year.
