Lord Vishnu and Mahabali

In the ancient time Mahabali ruled Kerala, India. He was a great ruler. The subjects were very happy with him. Kerala was prospering day by day. It is assumed that Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada who was the son of Hiranyakashyapa. Hiranyakashyapa tried to kill Prahlada in numerous ways but at last he was killed by Lord Vishnu in Nirshima avatar. Mahabali was influenced by Prahlada. He also started worshiping Lord Vishnu.

Under the influence of his Guru Shukracharya, he started a war against the Gods. He defeated the Gods and became the king of the three worlds. Seeing his success Guru Shukracharya persuaded him to perform Aswamedha Yagam. The speciality of this sacrificial rite was that if it was performed in an ordered manner he would become the strongest person in the world. Nobody would be able to defeat him.

Shukracharya started the Aswamedha Yagam. Before it Mahabali announced that he would give the person whatever he asked for. The Gods became frightened. They went to Lord Vishnu and asked them for help. Lord Vishnu promised the Gods that he would help them. Lord Vishnu decided to test him.

Lord Vishnu transformed him into a Vamana a small Brahmin boy and went to the place where the Yagam was taking place. He was welcomed by the King Mahabali. The Vamana reminded him about his declaration. Mahabali thought that the Vamana would ask for some petty things. He would be able to full fill his wish. He told him to ask for the wish. In the meantime Shukracharya came to knew that it is Lord Vishnu who had come in the form of Vamana. He advised Mahabali not to commit anything to this Vamana but Mahabali was the man of words. He didn’t retreat. He walked forward to the Vamana and asked him his wish. The Vamana told him that if he was not able to full-fill his wish he would become his slave. Mahabali agreed to that.

The Vamana boy told that whatever land he covered with his three footsteps would be his. Mahabali told the boy to start measuring. He started measuring.  His size started increasing. With one footstep, he measured all of the earth. With the second, he claimed all of heaven. One footstep was still remaining. He told Mahabali that there is no space remaining for the third footstep.

Mahabali thought for a moment and told him to put the third footstep on his head. The boy put the third footstep on his head and he was pushed underground with the force of his footstep.

Lord Vishnu came in his original form. He was happy with Mahabali. He made him the King of the underworld (the kingdom beneath the earth). He told him that he can visit the earth once a year.

Onam is celebrated to remember the great king Mahabali because it is assumed that he visits the earth during this time.