Of Devas and their games-Mahabali must fall

"Vamana1" by Unknown - LACMA [1]. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vamana1.jpg#/media/File:Vamana1.jpg

A great warrior king rose in might

When Lord Shiva blessed a rat that night.

Mahabali's mind was sharp as a sword,

Underworld, Heaven and Earth's new Lord.

Mahabali's reign was noble and just,

The Devas were not to be swept like dust.

Led by Indra, the defeated king,

To Lord Vishnu, they began to sing.

They begged him to intervene,

To balance the worlds, as once it'd been.

An 'Asura' King couldn't possibly mean well,

They refused to to rest until he fell.

Lord Vishnu acceded to their pleas

And took to the earth like a breeze.

Mahabali meanwhile chased after the stallion

Closely followed by his burly battalion.

The 'Ashvamedha' was underway

Well into the ritual's final day.

Abruptly, a child blocked the road ahead,

"Merciful Mahabali, spare me some land.", he said.

The troops threatened, the stallion neighed

But the young boy stood unafraid.

Mahabali sized up the boy, asking his name,

Sukracharya foresaw the entire game.

"Vamana.", the boy looked up at the 'Asura' King.

"A small request to you I bring.

Leave a morsel for me to plough,

Surely that much your Lordship can allow."

Sukracharya cautioned Mahabali not to relent.

"Land worth three strides of mine, by your consent!",

Vamana appealed again earnestly,

"Alright boy, have your way, let's see.",

Vamana smiled as he began to grow

Till he towered above one and all below.

The earth and the underworld in one stride

Mahabali watched the shadows wide eyed.

In the second stride, heaven was claimed,

"Where now, Mahabali?", Vamana exclaimed.

Mahabali lowered his head in reply

And Vamana's foot emerged from the sky.

It pushed Mahabali deep into the netherworld.

Without a protest Mahabali accepted his fate

As he stood behind Netherworld's gate.

Lord Vishnu granted Mahabali a wish that day

That once a year, on Earth, he'd be able to stay.

So Mahabali ascends every year,

As they sing praises and for him they cheer.

About the post: This post is a continuation to my previous one, although, it is a standalone tale in itself. This poem conveys the story behind the festival of Onam. It is celebrated in India, especially down South, among Malyali communities to celebrate the return of the benevolent Asura King Mahabali. The King of the Devas, Indra, ever protective of his seat in heaven turns to Lord Vishnu in order to defeat Mahabali. Lord Vishnu takes the form of a young boy, Vamana and restores the kingdom of heaven to Indra and the other Devas, sending Mahabali to the netherworld. 

Asura class of beings of the Vedic times, were different from humans and 'devas'. They were usually considered to be evil.

Devas were divine beings, usually revered by humans in Vedic times.

Sukracharya was Mahabali's advisor.

Ashvamedha was a royal ritual in Hindu traditions, to be performed only by kings. A horse would be set loose and the lands so traveled by it would be in the name of the king and would belong to the king.

Of rats and rulers

A hungry, feeble furry rat

Eyed the ghee as it sat.

Glistening, fragrant, hot around the flame,

The rat longed for it all the same.

Stealing a slurp with the tip of his tongue,

Not long before the temple bell was rung.

The priests chanted away

Prayers and hymns to start their day.

Lord Shiva mused over all their desires,

The noble, the thieves, the honest, the liars.

"How I wish one would rekindle that flame!",

Goddess Paarvati sensed the beginnings of a game.

"I vow to bestow all three worlds to that one,

Reviving the lamp is all that needs to be done".

Night descended upon the temple walls,

Soon the rats began roaming the halls.

The feeble, furry rat felt its stomach groan,

It scouted for crumbs all alone.

Once again it stood mesmerised,

The godly figures it curiously sized.

The aroma of the melting ghee

Made him as hungry as a rat could be.

It cared not as its whiskers got singed,

The feeble, furry rat happily binged.

Suddenly, it began to retreat,

No longer able to stand the heat

As the lamp lit up bright

Much to Goddess Paarvati's delight.

Lord Shiva looked at his wife incredulously,

"I can't bestow the prize upon it, surely you agree?"

The goddess reminded Him the vow,

"You must fulfill your promise now."

The rat with the singed whiskers

Woke up that morn amid whispers.

The ruler of the three worlds turned to flee,

But froze as they called him 'Mahabali'.

About the post: 

This poem draws from one of the beliefs about the origin of Mahabali, the benevolent Asura king who's reign is considered to be a golden era for mankind. He is revered by the Malyali community and the festival of Onam celebrates his return among his subjects from the underworld, once, every year. 

This tale in no way means to offend anyone or their religious sentiments and beliefs, I found this particular origin intriguing and hence my post. There will be more Onam related posts soon, there is another tale that I must share with you.

'Ghee'(clarified butter) is used not only for cooking but pure 'Ghee' is used in lamps(diya) by most people in India, especially for prayers and rituals as it is considered to be sacred, a symbol of nourishment and healing.