Onam, Cultural Festival of Kerala - 15th September 2005

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Onam, the foremost cultural festival of Kerala, which coincides with the harvest

season falls in the month of August-September. A festival that celebrates a

happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is a part of the cultural repertoire of

every Keralite. Tradition has it that Emperor Mahabali who, while ruling that

area as the most benevolent ruler, was liberated by being sent to the

netherworld by Lord Mahavishnu (incarnated as Vamana) as he offered his head to

be measured as the third step of land Lord Vamana had asked for as alms. But,

honouring his great devotion and sense of sacrifice the Lord granted him

permission to visit his subjects once a year. Thus, Keralites celebrate this

festival to commemorate the Advent of Lord Mahavishnu as Vamana Avatar and to

rejoice the annual visit of Emperor Mahabali to meet his subjects, to this

sacred land. The feast and festive mood of the people who rejoiced on this

occasion, dressed in their best, is considered

reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during his

flawless reign. It takes one to a nostalgic world of that golden period of

Emperor Mahabali's reign, for whom year after year, for centuries, the people

of Kerala, forgetting all sectarian outlooks, join together to welcome on this

auspicious 'Thiruvonam' day. Preparation of floral carpet called

'Athappookkalam" in front of houses, from the first day of 'Atham' to the tenth

day of 'Thiruvonam' is a part of the festivities, which is symbolic gesture to

welcome King Mahabali. A sumptuous meal on plantain leaf and the traditional

sweet dish of Kerala "Payasam' etc. are served in every house. The pomp and

pageantry of Onam reflects the Keralite's zest for all beautiful things of

life.

In Bhagawan's words, "Onam means wearing new clothes. The 'Vastra' not only

means cloth but also means heart. Therefore, the significance of wearing new

clothes (Vastra) is that one should make the heart new by getting rid of all

bad thoughts and feelings".

Every year thousands of devotees from all across the world, especially from the

state of Kerala throng to Prasanthi Nilayam to celebrate the festival in the

Divine Presence of Bhagawan. To Keralites, it has an added significance, as

they are fortunate to celebrate the advent of Lord Mahavishnu to Kerala, in the

Divine presence of Lord Mahavishnu Himself, who has incarnated now as Bhagawan

Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Devotees and Balvikas children from the state stage

different cultural programme in the divine presence during these days of

festivity and on the 'Thiruvonam' day (the day when Lord Mahavishnu supposed to

have blessed the land of Kerala) Bhagawan blesses the people with His nectarious

Divine Discourse.

The Legend Kashyapa and his two wives, Diti and Aditi, were the parents of

demons and demigods (Asuras and Devas). Indra, the king of Devas, went on war

with the king of Asuras, as it was a common practice in those days, for one

king to invade the kingdom of another to acquire additional territory. Mahabali

vanquished Indra in the war and proceeded to annex the territory of Indra and

occupied his capital Amaravati. Kashyapa had gone to the Himalayas to do

penance. Lamenting over the defeat of her son, Indra, Aditi was in great grief.

When she was wailing, Kashyapa came to her. Instantly he was able to recognise

the cause of grief by divine insight, which he had acquired as a result of his

penance. He consoled his wife Aditi saying that nothing happens in the world

without God's will and people should go on doing their duties. He asked her to

pray to Lord Narayana and taught her a Vrata (ritual) to be followed strictly,

known as

Payovrata. It has to be observed from the twelfth day of the bright half

Karthika (Sukla-paksha Dwaadasi). She observed the Vrata as prescribed. A

devotee's sincere prayer will never go waste. Since she carried out the Vrata

with a pious heart, Narayana appeared before her and informed her that he would

himself take birth in her womb and help Indra. Aditi was very happy. True to the

world of the Lord, she gave birth to a son of uncommon effulgence on the twelfth

day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada. That child was

"Vamana-murti'. Even as a child, He demonstrated his divine power by doing

marvelous deeds.

Mahabali was performing an Ashwamedha Yagna (horse sacrifice). He had previously

performed a hundred such Yagnas. He declared that he would give anything that

anyone sought from him during this Yagna. Vamana came to her to the Yaga-shala.

As he was approaching them, the sages assembled there perceived the

extraordinary effulgence form of the young lad. Mahabali went forth to receive

the Brahmin boy with all traditional honours and gave him an eminent seat

befitting the status of a holy person. Bali told him 'Master! It is my good

fortune that you have chosen to honour me with your presence. Whatever you

desire, I am here ready to fulfil the same'. Vamana smiled and said: "You need

not give me anything great. It is enough if you give me that extend of land

covered by three footsteps of mine".

On hearing him, Bali's preceptor, Shukracharya, who could have vision of the

future told Bali that the one, who had come to seed a gift from Bali was not an

ordinary Brahmin but Lord Narayana Himself who had assumed this form. He advised

Bali not to promise the lad anything. But Bali was a king who would never go

back on his word and told his Guru that he would never break his promise. He

was determined to give Vamana whatever he wanted since breaking one's word was

a sin and he had to keep his pledge Shukracharya insisted that he should not

fulfil the demand of Vamana as he had come to deprive Bali of all His

possessions. He said that Vamana was not really in need of anything as

everything was in his hands.

Bali, however, was determined to honour the word given to Vamana, begged pardon

of his Guru for disregarding his advice. Earlier, while Bali was embarking on

the war with Indra, he had prostrated at the feet of his preceptor,

Shukracharya, and on his advice he performed the Vishwajit Yagna from which he

secured very powerful weapons. It was only because of Shukracharya's help that

he was able to conquer Indra. On this occasion, Bali was not prepared to heed

the advice of the same preceptor. Shukracharya cursed Bali, saying: 'As you

have not heeded your Guru's words, you will be reduced to ashes'. Bali was firm

and replied: 'I am prepared to face any consequence but will not go back on my

word'.

So saying, he told Vamana to measure the three feet of land as desired by him.

All attempts of Shukracharya to dissuade Bali from offering the land desired by

Vamana proved futile. Bali told his Guru: "Prana (life) and Maana (honour) are

the two eyes of a person. Even if life goes, honour should be protected.

Granting that the person that has come now is the Lord Himself, I should be the

most fortunate one as the Lord, who gives everything to mankind, is seeking

something from me."

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust

Websitehttp://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/Onam.htm