Onam or Vamana Jayanthi?
The ancient tale of Vamana and King Mahabali begins with the legendary event of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean. During this time, the Devas, led by Indra, defeated the Asura army and gained immortality. King Mahabali, a powerful and revered ruler of the Asuras, lost all his wealth and kingdom. Seeking to regain his strength, he received advice from his Guru, Shukracharya, to perform penance and win favor over Lord Indra.
Following the Guru’s guidance, Mahabali performed intense penance and eventually won a battle against Lord Indra, making him the ruler of the entire universe. He established his dominion over Swarga Loka (the heavens), Bhu Loka (the earth), and Patala Loka (the netherworld). Mahabali was also a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and known for his generosity.
Having lost his kingdom, Indra and other Devas approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu promised to restore peace and the rightful reign of Indra.
To fulfill this promise, Vishnu incarnated as Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin, born to sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi. Vamana, in his humble appearance, approached King Mahabali while the king was performing a grand Ashvamedha Yagya, a ritual symbolizing sovereignty.
The dwarf Brahmin asked the king for a simple boon-three paces of land. Known for his generosity, Mahabali readily agreed, despite warnings from his Guru, Shukracharya, who suspected that Vamana was not an ordinary Brahmin.
As soon as Mahabali granted the boon, Vamana revealed his divine form. He grew to an immense size, so large that he covered the entire earth with his first step and the heavens with his second. With no place left for the third step, Mahabali realized that Vamana was Lord Vishnu Himself. Humbly, he offered his own head for the third step.
Lord Vishnu, moved by Mahabali’s devotion and humility, placed his foot on the king’s head, pushing him down to Patala Loka, the netherworld. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Vishnu granted him a boon. He allowed Mahabali to return once a year to visit his people and see the prosperity of his kingdom.
This annual return of King Mahabali is celebrated with great joy in Kerala as Onam, a festival that honors his generosity and the reign of righteousness he once brought to his people. In other parts of India, the day is celebrated as Vamana Jayanthi, the birthday of Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Thus, through this incarnation as Vamana, Lord Vishnu restored balance between the realms, reinstating Indra as the king of heaven while honoring Mahabali’s noble character and devotion.
So, what exactly are we celebrating today? Should we celebrate the Asura King Mahabali? Or should we observe Vamana Jayanthi, commemorating the birth of Lord Vishnu’s fifth incarnation, Vamana? Or should we enjoy Onam as a harvest festival?
Perhaps we don’t need a specific reason to celebrate every day. I believe every day should be a celebration of life. As for Mahabali and Vamana, in the end, Mahabali was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. With that in mind, let us celebrate this day by remembering both Mahabali and Vamana.
Let’s celebrate the day in honor of Mahabali’s devotion to the all-powerful Vamana.
Happy Onam! Happy Vamana Jayanthi!
