Mahabali, also known as Bali or Māveli, is a Mythological daitya King found in Hindu texts. He was the son of Virochana and the grandson of Prahlada. There are many versions of his legend in ancient texts such as the Shatapatha Brahmana, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. His legend is a part of the annual Balipratipada festival in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Onam festival in the state of Kerala, India.
Hindu mythologies
Mahabali is described in early Hindu mythologies as a benevolent and generous king, but violent and surrounded by asura associates who abused power. They particularly persecuted the suras and the Brahmins. Mahabali also temporarily possessed the amrita obtained by the asuras by trickery. The amrita allowed his associates to bring him back to life after his death in one of the wars between suras and asuras. Mahabali was, thus, immune from death. After many wars, the invincible Bali had won the heaven and earth. The suras approach Vishnu to save them. Vishnu refused to join the war or kill his own devotee Mahabali. He used a tactical approach instead and incarnated as the dwarf Brahmin avatar, Vamana. While Mahabali was performing Ashvamedha Vedic sacrifices to celebrate his victories and giving away gifts to everyone, Vamana approached him and asked for "three steps of land". Mahabali granted him the gift. Vamana then metamorphosed into Vishnu's giant Trivikrama form, taking all of heaven in one step and earth in second. Mahabali realized that the Vamana was none other than Vishnu and offered his own head for the third step. Some Hindu texts state that Mahabali became the king of Sutala, some state he entered heaven with the touch of Vishnu, while another version states he became chiranjivi. According to Hindu mythologies, Vishnu granted Bali a boon whereby he could return to earth every year. The harvest festivals of Balipratipada and Onam are celebrated to mark his yearly homecoming. Literature and inscriptions in Hindu temples suggest that these festivals, featuring colorful decorations, lighted lamps, gift giving, feasts and community events, have been popular in India for more than a millennium.
Jain mythologies
King Bali is also found in the mythologies of Jainism. He is the sixth of nine Prativasudevas. He is depicted as an evil king who schemed and attempted to rob Purusha's wife. He is defeated and killed by Purusha. In Jain mythology, the antagonists to Bali are the two sons born to King Mahasiva : Ananda and Purusapundarika. Bali is also mentioned in Jain inscriptions, where the patron compares the defeated evil opponents of the current king to Bali. For example, in the Girnar inscriptions of Gujarat dated to about 1231 CE, minister Vastupala of the Chaulukya dynasty is praised as a great king by Jains, and the inscriptions connect him to Bali 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.
Cultural sites
In Kerala, Mahabali is remembered as the mythical king who lived there. However, in other parts of India, he is believed to have lived and ruled from other locations. For example, in the north the eponymous Balia is believed to be his capital. In Maharashtra, the hill town of Mahabaleshwar is considered as his abode before he was sent to Sutala by Vishnu. In Gujarat, it is Bharuch that is linked to him and this is attested to in the Matsya Purana chapter 114. The town of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu is also associated with him and considered his capital.
