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Onam-Random Thoughts Once again Malayalee Christians, particularly Orthodox Christians are in Onam fever. Cultural associations with roots in Kerala are competing to celebrate Onam in a grand way; that is understandable. But why and how the Christians embrace Onam as never before converting it into a church function. Some parishes are secularized with these kinds oddities, hope my research study on the subject will enlighten our faithful to resist secular interest in the parish and it must stop. Onam is the most popular festival of Kerala. Many versions are extant as to how Onam came into existence and how it is important in Kerala. Until recently it was honored as a Hindu festival. In the early sixty’s Kerala Government declared it a national holiday, without diminishing its religious hue or fervor. Irrespective of religious orientation people of all walks celebrate Onam and this would have been the probable reason why it was made a national holiday. All children enjoy Onam holidays immediately following ‘Onam Term Examination.’ Onam is the name of a star-constellation in the elliptical cycle of zodiac. Zodiac cycle has 360 degrees. Each 30 degrees is named one house called ‘Rasi,’ thus there are 12 zodiac houses, each house is influenced by certain planet and most influential planet is assigned lordship of each house. Each house is considered exactly as13 degrees and 20 minutes, thus we have 27 segments called Janma Nakshathra or birth star. Lunar presence in each constellation determines the birth star of an individual, in this manner each individual is assigned one Rasi and one Nakshatra. Each nakshathra is assigned to one chief deity together with participating deities. Onam is known in Sanskrit and most other languages as “Sravana” or Chingam. Predominantly Sravana denotes a month in other Indian languages, Chingam in Malayalam. Onam, Athira and Ketta are said with a prefix “Thiru” meaning sacred, holy, etc. Anything attached to god or royalty assumed the prefix “Thiru.” Onam being the star assigned to god-Vishnu it is always said as Thiruonam. Some sources say “Onam is birth star of Vishnu,” but who knows the birth of Vishnu? It is better to say ‘star assigned to Vishnu.” Supposedly Vishnu has a thousand names (“Sahasra Naamam.)” Sri Padmanabha is one of Vishnu’s thousand names. Hindus believe that reciting Sahasranaamam brings blessings. One way or other festivals are connected to religious belief systems in all human communities; Onam is no exception. Thiruonam is the name of one of the 27 stars that constitute a month, thus Onam comes in every month. But Onam in Chingam (Sravana month), the first month of Kollavarsham is celebrated with much grandeur and feast. Why? The reason is as below: Aside all the legends and fable versions, Thiruonam is the birth star of Vishnu. Sri Padmanabha is one of the thousand names (Sahasranamam) of Vishnu. Travancore royal house was devotees of god Vishnu. Onam is the birth-star of Sri Padmanabhaswamy in whose name Thiruvananthapuram Temple is known. ‘Thiruvananthapuram Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple’ is the most famous and one of the richest few temples in India. Present Kerala is the agglomeration of three kingly states, Travancore, Cochin and Malabar formed on the basis of language on 1st November 1956. The state of Travancore consisted many local kingdoms until the time of Marthanda Varma. He was a great warrior and fought many wars and attached all the local kingdoms into one known as Travancore. He plundered riches of the petty kings and wealthy people and deposited multi-tons of gold and precious stones in the in the Padmanabha Temple
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vault. No one knows for sure how much is stored in the temple. The temple is a standing monument of their devotion to god. It was owned and operated by the royal family until 1950. Kerala Devasvam Board took over some rights over its management in 1950. The very name ‘Thiru-anantha-puram,’ means “Holy City of Anantha.” Anantha is another name of Adisheshan, the five headed Serpent, coiled like a bed floating in the water. Lord Vishnu sleeps on Ananda. Thus, Vishnu is also known as Narayanan. Sri Padmanabha is the tutelary deity of Travancore Royal family. The most acclaimed Anizham Thirunaal Marthanda Varma Mahaharaja formally dedicated Travancore Kingdom to Sri Padmanabha on the 3rd January 1750 AD. From then, Onam became the most popular festival of Travancore. From 1750 all the Kings took the title “Sri Padmanabha Vanchipala Marthanda Varma Kulasekara Perumal. All successive Travancore Maharajas self-adorned the title, “Padmanabha Dasa” or “Slave of Padmanabha” and ruled the country as devout servants of Sri Padmanabha. Unlike in these ‘let-loose’ days of so-called democracy (actually mobocracy), where none obeys none the subjects believed and followed what the king believed and decreed. Religious orientation had minimal impact. Likewise, Thiruonam is the birth star of Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu. Recently, Sasikala teacher, a vociferous Hindu propagandist, admitted in Asianet show, “Onam is celebrated in Kerala for 200 years only.” Her admission is a reflection of the true history of Onam. But Hindu websites contradict her statement claiming, “Onam festivities have been recorded during the time Kulasekhara Perumals in 800 A.D. In those days Onam used to be a full month-long celebration… Facts and fables blend as Kerala celebrates this royal return, year after year with the festivities of Onam… Many things without due research ended up in fallacy,” they claim. “Due to lack of physical evidences, it has been assumed that the festival started somewhere around 800 A.D during the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals as the harvest festival of the state,” says “iloveindia.com.” Kulasekhara Varman also known as Kulasekhara Alwar founded the Second Chera dynasty around 800 AD. His capital was Kollam. Kulasekhara Varman commissioned a new era called “Kolla Varsham” because it was proclaimed at Kollam, then Capital. Later when Malayalam became the Lingua Franca of former Malabar, Kochi and Travancore States around 1500 AD or later it came to be known as “Malayalam Era”. New Year day of Kollavarsham, the King Rajashekhara Varman Kulasekhara Perumal commissioned was the first day Chingam (Sravana). This historic event took place on August 15, 825 AD. Rajasekhara Varman Kulasekhara Perumal of the ninth century is different from Marthanda Varma Maharaja of the 17th Century. Blood lineage or direct relation with the Marthanda Varma of the 17th century and Kulasekhara Varmas of 9th century is tenuous as it is not established beyond doubt. Marthanda Varma took the name of ninth century king because the name was too illustrious with historical significance. On those days and even today it is customary to assume the name of famous heroes of the past. Somehow certain sources link Syrian Christianity with Malayalam Era namely; some believe that the king gave “Tharisa Palli” Plates commonly known as Copper Plates granted to Mar Sabor and Afroth, who migrated and settled in Kollam as per the invitation of the King. I do not
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consider this nothing more than a co-incident. Tharisa Pally (Tharisa means Thrisaisubahoo or Orthodox faith in Syriac). Copper plates have nothing to do with Kollavarsham. Herman Gundart said that ‘Kollavarsham started when a new Shiva Temple in Kollam was completed. This may be more appropriate because the royals were more religious than being politically correct; the local religious community was obligated to strictly obey the royal decree without going into its merits. So then, the conclusion is: Onam is a Malayala Nadu festival, in honor of Sri Padmanabha of Trivandrum, as decreed by the then Travancore Monarch Marthanda Varma Maharaja in AD 1750 and for the same reason it grew as a festival surpassing all religious and local barriers in the whole kingdom. Onam is celebrated in Kerala by the people of Kerala origin only, which certainly mitigates the religious claim of Vamana Vis Mahabali. No wonder, RSS mouthpiece ‘Kesari’ claimed there was no reference in any mythological scriptures which supports the popular and widely circulated legend that ‘Vamana’ had sent Mahabali to the netherworld through deceit and the king visits the land annually to meet his subjects.” CPM leader and state Health Minister KK Shylaja countered this argument saying, “Onam was celebrated by all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion and the attempt of the RSS was to bring back the bygone “upper class hegemony.” I stand in unison with Mrs. KK Shylaja as already explained. Harvest Festival: Onam is a festival of harvest that is another practical reason. Harvesting is celebrated as festival in all the ancient races, cultures and communities. For example, Passover is basically the harvest festival of Hebrews. Philadelphia has over 30 harvest festivals. Thanksgiving Day is the harvest festival in America. Yam harvest festival is important in Ghana. China celebrates this as Harvest Moon Festival, which is the time of harvesting rice and wheat. Holi is the harvest festival in North India. Pongal is harvest festival and one of the most joyful events in Tamil Nadu. 'Makara Sankranti' is the festival in Karnataka and the list goes on endless. Harvesting time is the most jubilant season in all communities. Festivities include, gathering of relatives, friends and well-wishers, offering and receiving gifts, particularly clothing, sports and entertainments and everything culminating in sumptuous feast. 12th month of both solar and lunisolar year is Karkatakam or Ati. Southwest Monsoon also called Etavappathi, sets in at this time. Overflow of rivers and streams and flooding the low-lying areas and road blockages are common. Midhunam and Karkatakam are also infamous as “famine months” (Panjamasam) because, no crops to harvest, shortage of food supply at its peak, business and transportation dull due heavy and incessant outpouring rain and flood during the months. The scenario drastically changes the next month, Chingam (Sravana), which is a holy month in Hinduism. Weather pattern improves, paddy and tropical crops harvesting and marketing swings upwards and these bring happiness to the people. Thus, harvesting season is a festive season for all societies world over. As with all festivals Onam is a time of feasting and physical enjoyments. In other words, there is no festival without feast. Onam feast is special and exemplary in many ways. It is the exhibition of pomp and pleasure to the visiting King, Mahabali. Every preparation, say, Puukkalam,
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enticing artwork and decoration in the front courtyard of every house with various colors, designs and flowers, which it itself is an art of high caliber by women, as a symbol of receiving the King with great fanfare, art exhibition such as, Vallam kali (boat race- Arammulai), Pulikali (Tiger play) Tug of war, Thumpi thullal (butterfly play), Kummatti Kali, Onatthallu, Athachamayam, Thiruvathira Kali, and so on are famous tradition in Kerala. The pinnacle of all celebration is preparing and feasting of variety of delicious and palatable food dishes, befitting to royal table. Swing made of plant-creepers from the forest and coir ropes is another big Onam attraction. Onam was a superb occasion when people of all religious and party affiliations sinking their differences join together in one accord to celebrate the great event in the history of Kerala culture. I recollect with great joy and gratitude, I served as the Secretary of East-Vazhamuttom Arts Club and “Balajana Sakhyam from 1964-68. Mr. K Janardhanan Nair Sir and K Gangadharan Nair Sir encouraged me to come forward and serve the Arts Club. Our weekly get together on Sunday evenings was a talent exhibition, literary in nature; where I was a permanent speaker (oration) and Gopi, son of Damodaran Achari was a singer. Melody of Gopi and Sasi from Sakthanar society still reverberates in my ears. We worked together as members of one family, forgetting religious and caste barricades. We organized many fundraising, public meetings and staged dramas professionally, such as, “Nee Ninte Ayalkarane snehikkuka” by Kanam E J, Award winner “Kakkapponnu” by S. L Puram Sadanandan, “Vellinakshathram” (by C.L. Jose?), and so on. Hindu, Christian and scheduled caste/tribe sat next to each other in public places; schools, colleges, workplaces and meeting places on working days and at leisure times joined together in common pursuit of art and cultural activities. We all went to our respective worship centers without discord or fight on the day of worship. In fact, I visited a few local temples too. That was our golden youth days! But now the situation is just opposite with the escalated and hateful message by the RSS and Hindu parochialists. Social harmony began to melt down. Muslim Hindu rivalry in places such as Ayodhya and elsewhere had fatal grip on Kerala social and political arena; both are competing to inject religious hatred in the mind of youth and many lost the common ground of friendship and brotherly cooperation. To summarize: Onam is unknown in outside Kerala State, except for the presence of Keralites. Keralites are scattered world over. They celebrated Onam wherever they are present and to that extend it now known world over. (1) in the religious sense, it is related to Sri Padmanabha of Trivandrum (Royal Deity), (2) Onam is the Harvest Festival of Travancore Kingdom, now State of Kerala, (3) its observance began with a Royal Decree by Marthanda Varma Maharaja which is why it is observed by all irrespective of religious barriers and (4) Kerala Government declared it a national holiday for all Keralites in 1961. Onam Legends: Numerous legends are extant and I shall discuss only a few. ‘King Mahabali was the greatest king of Kerala and it was during his reign that the local people saw the best of times; prosperity and grandeur prevailed everywhere. (Note: They also claim that Mahabali was a demon king. They do not consider the contradiction in saying a demon king was so great and
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charitable, there was great prosperity in the land, etc.). Lord Vishnu emerged as Vamana meaning, dwarf-short stature and tricked the King to give him all land he had. He was sent to a lower world. Mahabali’s rule on earth thus ended. Vamana granted him a boon that he could visit his land once a year. Onam celebrates his home-coming,’ says “Prokerala.com.” Another contradiction here is demon is different from Rakshasa. A demon is supernatural and ought to know beyond physical understanding that is, the very fact that Mahabali was unable make out who the dwarf was in his presence, makes the whole story a hoax and prove that Mahabali was neither a Rakshasa nor a demon but a normal human being. Shukracharya, Mahabali’s Guru warned him but he did not heed to Guru and agreed to part the land as Vamana sought. This virtue makes him better most Devas; still he is treated as Asura! Another story says that Mahabali was killed in a war, his cadaver was taken to Pathaala, the abode of Asuras and his Guru healed him. Brother Dhruva Chaitanya’s version: a young and aspiring Hindutva protagonist and member of Adisankara Nilayam in a video presentation expounds the spiritual meaning of Onam in a new vein correcting the traditional understanding of all people all over the world. He asserts that every festival is designed to meet god. Here, Bali was only a human being. Vamana being god he is more significant than Bali. Bali was an Asura King who lived in the ‘Rasaathalam.’ (Note: Hindu Puranas speak of 14, seven seen and seven unseen worlds. There are three levels-thalams or Thriloka; namely, (1) heaven or Devaloka up above where Devas (divine or noble beings) live, (2) earth or Bhuloka in the middle where human beings live and (3) Rasaathalam also known as Paathaalam below the two. (Note: This concept is evolved as a result of ancient peoples thought that earth is flat and static and three worlds are made one over the other etc. Ancient Jews also had the same concept, which again points to the fact that both Jews and Hindus had common origin). Paathaalam in Hindu concept is not hell as generally conceived. Another view is that Himalaya is the gateway to heaven and the south end is Pathalam! In this sense, the war between Devas and the Asuras are the wars between northerners and southerners). Bali yearned to occupy the seat of Indra, king of Devas. (Anyone who successfully performed Aswamedha Yagam (the top-level horse-sacrifice) 100 times in a row he becomes the Lord of Devalokam-Indra. Bali did not engage in a war, force or muzzle power to achieve his goal of becoming the king of Devalokam rather, he conducted sacrifices of horse. If that is the case, stating that “Mahabali usurped heaven, the Devas fled in fear, which prompted Vishnu to disguise the form of Vamana” is unbelievable. By all standard Mahabali is acclaimed a noble soul.) Vamana came and obstructed the Yagam on the hundredth day so that Bali should not succeed in his pursuit to become king of Devalokam. Br. Dhruva claims, ‘Bali was lifted up as Mahabali because he submitted to Vamana.’ Vamana meaning dwarf is the fifth incarnation of Vishnu, the god who sustains the world. Vamana is known to all Hindus all over India. Br. Dhruva says that Onam is celebrated not because of Mahabali but because of the Vamanajayanthi, birth of Vamana. If Onam is Vamanajayanthi as Br. Dhruva claims, why Vamana is not mentioned even in one hymn while the nobility of Mahabali is extolled in all hymns? How Onam is unknown in outside Kerala, needs answer. Dhruva says Vamana met Bali
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at Br’hukachath, near Narmada River in Gujarat on the 100th day of Ashvamedha. If so, Onam should have been known at least in Gujarat, where the so-called reason for Onam celebration took place, that is, Vamana sending Mahabali to Pathalam or Suthalam according to the latest exposition! The claim is again tenuous because, Maharaja Prahlada was said to be the grandfather of Mahabali; he was a Vaishnavaite born and ruled in Punjab. Thus, chance of Mahabali conducting Horse sacrifice at Gujarat is illogical. Devas and Asuras: Yet another tradition expounds that Devas and Asuras are the sons Aditi and Diti, two sisters from the same father. Note: By default, Devas represent Sathguna and Asuras represent Rajoguna or Thamoguna, good and evil respectively. But this meaning is far from truth. For instance, Indra in Rig Veda is depicted as a drunkard, womanizer and who killed his father for a simple reason that the father drank his soma (wine or energy drink of Devas). He obliterated a great civilization known as Harappa civilization that flourished so well before his conquest. Prof C Ravichandran in a debate argues that Gita and other Hindu religious books are full of contradictions, which most ordinary Hindu followers find difficulty to believe. Parasuraman the sixth in the order of incarnation story is another character who is guilty of matricide and mass murder of Kshatriyas. How satguna could be attributed to such a character, or how they be called devas is a great riddle? Prahlada was born as a Vishnu-devotee, he suffered and withstood great persecution at the hands of his own atheist father Hiranyakashipu when he was an infant, namely, Narasimha avatar liberated Prahlada at the age of 5 years by killing his father. A conflict arises concerning Hiranyakashipu. He is described as a devotee of Brahma. “Hiranyakashipu decided to gain supernatural powers and performed great 'tapas' (penance) to please Brahma, the creator-god. When Brahma appeared before him, Hiranyakashipu sought a boon that he should not get death either on earth or in space, either in fire or in water, either during daytime or during nighttime, either by humans or by gods or by any species, either by the animate or by inanimate, either inside the house or outside the house. Brahma was very pleased with his penance and granted the request as a boon to Hiranyakashipu.” How a person who did penance to such extent that pleased Brahma could be said as atheist, even if he became hostile to Vishnu for no reason? Prahlada is labelled as Asura while Indra and Parasurama are said as Devas; is it not contradictory? Another explanation: (1) “There are two classes of men: Deva and Asura. Dvau bhūta-sargau loke 'smin daiva āsura eva ca (Bh Gita 16:6). Āsuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Viṣṇu-bhaktaḥ smṛto daiva āsuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Those who are devotees of the Lord, servants of the Lord, they are called deva, or demigods. Āsuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Asuras are just the opposite; just as Hiranyakashipu and Prahlada, father and son. Prahlāda is deva because he is a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.” The fact: Devas and Asuras are two ancient warring groups always at odds. According to Prof Uthaya Naidu, and many scholars, Indra was the leader of the first Aryan conquest from Asia Minor or Persia. Asuras were the displaced Assyrians. The Assyrians are Mediterranean Caucasoid. They were good in trade and commerce. Some Assyrians traders migrated and settled in India on various occasions since 1200 BC. The Assyrian migrants were driven away to south
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by the first invaders who were by then established in north. The first invaders named themselves Devas and called the later Assyrian invaders, Asura. “There is a view that the ancestors of Kerala people were Assyrians. Assyrians were considered Asuras, the enemies of Devas. Banan and Bali were their kings. That was a reason for driving Bali away to Kerala. (Note: This theory goes well with teaching Himalaya as Heaven and South end Tamil Nadu and Kerala as Paathalam). An all ancient communities harvest days were of great celebration, so was to Assyrians. They brought with them the same culture and systems and continued the harvest festival, which became Onam later on. Some of the research results indicate that Bali was the ruler of Assyria and his place was referred as 'Analavaruddham'meaning, a place where fire cannot be controlled once broken out. It refers to Iran – Iraq, the oil rich countries. Oil well once start burning it is impossible to put out the fire. It is also shown by these researchers that the Thrikkakara Appan made of clay in the form of a pyramid by individual households during Onam days to place in front of the house for worshiping has similarity with the Assyrian God ‘Siguratth’ idol according to them,” says, “spiderkerala.net” another Hindu website. Inconsistency in the order of incarnation and Onam: Hindu website, “Temple Purohit.com” claims, “The first six incarnations of Vishnu relate to Darwin’s theory of evolution.” 1, Mathsya (fish): Life starts in water (600 million - 400 million years ago).” Mathsya denotes the start of life in water; but Manu was a full-grown man. Manu was said as not only as a man but also as a powerful king, which attributes that there were a large number of subjects under his command. Concept of a most powerful ruler covering the whole earth and the head of mythical dynasties that began with each cyclic Kalpa begins with Manu. The author further contents that “This story is highly similar to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. The amount of common grounds between those two religions that are poles apart today is really astonishing.” I sympathize with the author for his inadequate study of the great deluge which all the human societies expound in differing details. Manu is believed to be the direct son of Brahma. That Manu lived 400 million years ago is inconceivable to a rational mind. Subhamoy Das places the possible date of Manu’s life to 500 BC. How both dates will go together? 2, Kuurma (Turtle): The first amphibians emerge (100 million years ago). 3, Varaha (boar): The first mammals evolve (60 million years ago, that is, a gap of 40 million years between two incarnations!) 4, Narasimha (half man-half lion): Half man and half animal appear (30 million years ago, that is, a gap of ten million years between two incarnations!) (Note: Darwin’s theory of evolution does not contemplate a ‘halfman-half-animal’ theory). 5, Vamana (dwarf man): Homo erectus, upright, yet short and weaponless (5 million to 2 million years ago, a gap of 25 million.) Note: The first erect man was short! This contradicts the very ‘Yuga Theory,’ where it says, “The size of men in Sathyayuga was 21 cubits; (31.5 feet) and life-span was a lakh of years, death happened only when willed!” Unlimited exaggeration, isn’t it?
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Again, fifth Avatar Vamana (dwarf) symbolizes erect human beings, said to have taken place two million years ago. Bali was his contemporary. Was human society developed to have a king like Mahabali two million years ago? Another ambiguity relative to Yuga calculation and actual incident of Narasimha and Vamana. Narasimha appeared and killed Hiranyakashipu and installed his son Prahlada as king, is amusing. Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada that is the third generation. Could there be a “Yuga difference between first and third generation? Vamana appeared to remove Mahabali, the grandson of Bhaktha-Prahlada! Here again, the crux issue is the relentless fight between Shaivaites and Vaishnavaites. Hiranyakashipu, father of Prahlada was a devotee of Brahma, through penance had won certain boon from Brahma. Having regards that only pious men can obtain divine boon, and he is termed as atheist and tyrant king at the same time does not coincide. He, Hiranyakashipu, was thoroughly opposed to Vishnu, the reason is unexplained, but Vishnu was the deity of his son, Prahlada from birth. Brahma was born from the naval of Vishnu; thus, Vishnu becomes the father of Brahma how and why they were opposed to one another as if belonged to different religions? This adduces beyond doubt that Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were not trinities of the same religion or godhead, but rather, these were deities of different invading group of people at different ages and later culminated into one. “Yuga” Gap from the first to the third generation is whimsical as seen above. Vamana is fifth in the order of Dasaavathars. Parasurama (axe bearer) is sixth in line of incarnations. He plays important role in the Mahabharatha and Ramayana, mentoring Bhishma, Drona and Karna. Parasurama was a disciple of Shiva and learned the scriptures and the art of warfare from Shiva. In this sense Parasuram ought to be contemporary of Krishna who led the Kuruskethra war. As always Vaishnavaites were in enmity with Shaivaites and always tried to put down Shiva behind Vishnu. So Parasurama being the incarnation of Vishnu, chance of becoming Shiva’s student is untenable. If at all so happened it meant Shaivaites got upper hand over Vaishnavaites. According to another source, Parasurama, Balrama and Krishna were contemporaries. How the three incarnations representing three Yugas (a Yuga is defined as 1200 years) become contemporaries? “Traditionally, the epic belongs to the Treta Yuga, one of the four eons (Yuga) of Hindu chronology, and is dated as far back as 880,000 years in the past. Rama is said to have been born in the Treta Yuga to King Daśaratha in Ikshuaku vamsha (clan).” A. L. Basham, however, is of the opinion that “Rama may have been a minor chief who lived in the 8th or the 7th century BC.” A very interesting correlation is embedded in the legend of the Matsya avatar. It is said that king Manu who was the most powerful ruler on earth (pointing the existence of a vast population and many kings) went near the ocean and took a handful of water, in that a small goldfish requested Manu to rescue him. All of a sudden, the fish began to grow exponentially and that is when Manu realized it was lord Vishnu and he bowed in front of the fish. Vishnu advised him to take all the species on a boat before the destruction (general principle concerning god is, “Na kuryal nishphalam karma,” that is, ‘no work without a purpose.’ In this case the nature of immorality, reason or purpose of destruction is not explained. Lord Vishnu in the form of a fish propelled the
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boat to Mount Himavat (Himalaya) saving other seven souls. This indicates that the story is loaned from foreign sources. Every nation, tribe and race has a legendary story of great deluge, total destruction and recreation by the few who survived. “Some similarities can be attributed to story of flood at the time of Noah and building of an arc through which eight souls were saved and they replenished the earth. The amount of common grounds between those two religions that are poles apart today is really astonishing,” says the author. So, then it is loaned from biblical source, where sexual immorality is explained beyond ambiguity as the reason for destruction. This also ratifies the theory of human origin from a single source. “Titi Tudorancea Encyclopedia” claims: “Mahabeli also known as Maveli was a benevolent Asura King and the grandson of Prahlada, The Onam festival is celebrated in honor of this mighty king.” The king was from the line of Diti, a deity in Rigveda. The real name of Bali was Indrasena. Bali was born of Devamba to Veerochana, the son of Prahlada. He grew up under the tutelage of his grandfather who instilled in him a sense of righteousness and Bhakti. Bali succeeded his grandfather and became king of the Asuras. There was peace and prosperity everywhere during his reign. He expanded his kingdom and usurped the heaven. The vanquished Devas then complained to their protector Vishnu, who assured them that he himself would restore the authority of Devas. (Indication here is that as Bali invaded Devalokam the Devas fled, thus the need to conduct Ashvamedha is irrelevant). Here Vishnu is acting for Deva-group alone. How a god could be partial to a particular group for no reason? Bali, at the behest of his Guru Sukracharya decided to conduct Ashvamedha Yagam. During the Yagam, Vishnu in the guise of a small Brahmin boy (Vamana), appeared before Bali and asked for three paces of land. Note: Hindu scholars consider Vamana’s appearance as a poor Brahmin boy as a simple trickery but it was a premeditated deceit. More than a trick or deceit god’s weakness to face the mighty king is manifested in this act. Bali, who had vowed not to refuse anyone, promptly granted the wish, even ignoring the warnings of his guru. Bali’s magnanimity is un-parallel in this case. Vamana measured all the three worlds, the earth, the sky and Pathala with two paces. Then, Bali offered himself for the third pace and thus Vamana banished him to Pathala. However, impressed by Bali's unselfish devotion and unwavering "dharma", Vishnu granted him the permission to visit his subjects once a year. Vamana Purana claims that Mahabali was a righteous ruler. These virtues of Mahabali excel Devas in all respects and yet he is categorized as “Demon king Asura.” Note: The word “demon” is derived from the Greek root daimōn. But originally and in Greek it did not connote a negative or supernatural meaning. So also “Asura is a derivation of Persian Ahura (Mazda - Zoroastrian god). Later the word Asura was expanded to mean Rakshasa (giant), Vethala (evil spirit), bhuta (ghost), Pisach (devil) and so on. Although the recent Hindu pundits deny the Aryan invasion theory, these words stand testimony to Persian and Greek invasion in the Indus Valley soil. They subjugated and ruled India and made Vedas and stories elevating themselves as Gods and Kings and denigrating the original inhabitants and those migrated later as Asura, Rakshasa (giants), demons and Sudra (menial worker), etc. as Prof Uthaya Naidu rightly claims in his book “Aryan Bible.” Another point of interest is that ordinary believers and
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worshipers have no part in anyone of the Hindu Scriptures; Vedas, Upanishad, epics, stories and legends, all are stories of kings, emperors, devas, and supernatural elements written in Sanskrit. Ordinary people were forbidden from learning and they were compelled to believe without knowing anything what lies and imaginary stories Brahmins deliberately propagated. Parasurama Legend says that Parasurama created Kerala throwing his axe in the ocean. Until his time the land boundary was Gokarnam (Konkan). Like Indra, he committed matricide and murdered all Kshatriyas and is known as the slayer of Kshatriyas. The age of one Yuga in human terms is assumed at 1200 years, as said before. Onam is said to be a memorial of Vamana’s surreptitious, some say heroic, act of trickery that ended Mahabali’s life on the earth. Kerala was not in existence during the life time of Mahabali and Vamana. How then Kerala could be related to Vamana or Bali episode? Relevance of both Onam and Vamanajayanthi in the name of Trikkaakkara Appan becomes unsustainable. “The second avatar, Kuurma was taken during the Satya Yuga which is the first Yuga in the cycle.” This statement points to the fact that first Avatar took place before the first Yuga. How is it possible? “During this Yuga, there was a conflict between the Devas and Asuras to obtain the immortal nectar from the ocean which was sorted out by lord Vishnu in the form of a turtle.” Here also we see fully developed human population called Devas and Asuras. They were able to distinguish morality and immorality, capable to establish kingdoms and fight each other, etc. How a developed humanity depends upon a god in the form of a turtle to control their destiny? Some Hindu activists claim that Trikkakara, near Mulanthuruthy was the capital of the mighty King Mahabali. A temple in the name of deity “Trikkakara Appan” (Lord Vishnu) in the guise of Vamana, is located here. Lord Rama enquired, according to one source, about King Bali to his Guru Vasista and he answered, “Bali was a great king and is always protected by Lord Vishnu.” Brahma-Vaivarta Puranam says, “Lord Vishnu positioned Bali in power to curb the pride of Indra.” Bhagavata Purana reads, “Vishnu will take the kingdom away from Purandara, i.e. Lord Indra and give it to Bali Maharaja.” This is the best example how Vaishnavaites take the position that Vishnu is superior to Lord Shiva. Shaivaites stand in juxtaposition, where Shiva is superior entity to Vishnu, and that fight is eternal. Example: Yet another conflicting story is that Lord Shiva said to his spouse Parvati that “Anyone who would make the lamp (deepa) burn brighter would be the ruler of the three worlds.” A rat approached the lamp (rat is the vehicle of Ganapathy, the son of Shiva and Parvati), wanting to drink the melted butter but as it tried to drink, the flame kindled into its mouth. Seeing this, Parvati asked Lord Shiva to keep his promise. Lord Shiva complied with what Parvati desired. Thus, Bali became the lord of three worlds (Triloka) at the order of Shiva. Note: rat’s connection with Bali is unclear; rat stands for the presence of Ganapathi. The Skanda Purana, a Shaivaite text claims that “Bali worships Shiva every day.” According to Adhyatma Ramayanam “Vamana Maharaja guards the gate of Bali Maharaja in the Sutala planet and will remain so forever.” Tulsidas’ Ramayana too declares that Vamana became the “dwarapal” or gatekeeper of Bali.
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Vamana Puranna, states that ‘Bali performed Aswamedha sacrifice in the Kurukshetra, where Bali deprived Indra of his kingdom.’ Note: Kurukshethra is claimed in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, neither in Gujarat nor at Thrikkaakkara-Mulanthuruthi, in Kerala. Some scholars claim that “Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in Tretā-yuga in the city of Multan, in the state of Punjab.” This claim directly contradicts Dhruva Chaitanya’s statement “Vamana met Bali at Br’hukachath, near Narmada River in Gujarat.” Bhavishyottara Purana says that King Bali is “Future Indra” and that a king should pay respect to King Bali.” Valmiki's Ramayana says that ‘King Bali tied Rakshasa Ravenna in a cowshed.’ Here it is apt to quote scholar Romesh Chander Dutt who wrote, “There are many contradictions and conflicting narrations in the epics. The Ramayana, like the Mahabharata, is a growth of centuries, but the main story is more distinctly the creation of one mind.” I hope my readers, including the ultra-radical Hindu activists, will surely exonerate me for my interpretation which goes well with right-minded Hindu scholars. In the days of Rigveda, there were two major groups of Aryans; The Indo-Aryans who believed that Aditi was the true mother of devas and Irano-Aryans (Dasyu) who believed Diti, the twin sister was. Bali was the descendant of this line. D. R. Bhandarkar writes in his ‘Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Culture’ that “Parsus or Persian” was an old term for “Rakshasas” (demons). He further says that the word “Rakshasa” is used to Asuras in Panini's. Parshvadi-gana: Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala Loka. Vishnu Purana narrates a story, Vishnu’s 5th avatar (incarnation), Vamana asked for land from Daitya King Mahabali and how Bali left India to settle in South America. (Interestingly here, South America is considered another world, or say, one of the 14 worlds). “A few scholars believe that these demons and Hiranyakashipu were actually Iranians fighting with Indians, who migrated to Indus from the same area long before. However, scholar Askhoy Mazumdar as being from the Daitya branch of the Aryans ruling in 29th century BC, northwest India; he is held by many of the same sect as being the "Aryan colonizer" of eastern and southeastern India.” This is another Hindu version! Interestingly, the Vedic scriptures have close semblance with Arabian Knight Stories which is another proof of common origin and Aryan invasion from Asia Minor and Middle East. Vishnu is said to have taken one avatar (incarnation) in each Yuga, to destroy the wicked and to protect and sustain the godly. It is unclear on what basis the Yugas and Avatars are limited to ten. It is also taught that we are living in the last and final tenth Yuga, the reason is unknown. Bhagavath Gita 4:7 says, “Yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya / glaanir bhavathi Bhaaratha / abhyudhaanam adharmasya / thadaathmaanam srujaamyaham,” Meaning: “I take birth whenever morality declines, weaken or loosen (dharma) in Bharatha and immorality is on the rise in Bhaaratha.” (Note: according to recent interpreters “Bharatha” means Arjuna, the second in the order of five Pandavas; actually, Bharatha was the name of the land also called Aryavartha or Greater India of the ancient derived after the King Bharatha, son of Dasaratha and half-brother of Rama) of Suryavamsha. Gita 4:8 thus explains the purpose of incarnation: “Parithranaaya saadhuunam / vinaasaaya cha dushkruthaam / dharmasamsthaapanaardhhaaya / sambhavaami
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yuge yuge,” meaning, “I take birth in each and every Yuga to protect the virtuous, to destroy those who live in immorality and to reestablish morality (dhaarmic way of life). What was the adharma or immorality during the period of Manu and matsya avatar! “Every time dharma is threatened Vishnu mounts his eagle, the mighty Garuda and comes to earth ready to battle. The descending of Vishnu from Vaikunta to earth are his incarnations. The form in each descend is different because the demands of the world each time are different. The different avatars thus reinforce the idea that rules and regulations that maintain order are not static by nature. They are forged when the demands of desire clash with the quest for order. As man's understanding of the world changes, desires change and so do the concept of order,” Says Hindu expert, Subhamoy Das. Incarnation is punctuated according to Yuga, the ratio being one incarnation in one Yuga. Yuga masters such as Swami Muktananda, Baba Hari Dass, Swami Vishnu Tirtha, are the most followed Yuga protagonists. The cycles are calculated based on the equinox. Sun crosses the celestial equator of the earth twice a year on September 22 and March 20, accepting difference of one day tentatively. The importance is that the day and night are equal on those times and are called equinox days. 360 human years constitute one deva year. “The length of each cycle is given in ordinary human (earth) years, as well other units where appropriate. Large numbers are described using the conventions of American English: thus, a million is a thousand times thousand, a billion is a thousand million, a trillion is a thousand billion,” says “Hindu theory of World Cycles.” A single daytime period in the life of Brahma, the creator god is called Kalpa. 1,000 Maha Yugas comprise one Kalpa. A kalpa is thus equal to 4.32 billion human years. “The smallest cycle is called a Maha Yuga. A Maha yuga is 4,320,000 human years. Each Maha Yuga is subdivided into the following four ages, whose lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1:” 1, Satya Yuga: is also called Krita Yuga and also as Golden Age, which means the age of truth. This first age is 1,728,000 human years. The qualities of this age are: virtue reigns supreme; human stature is 21 cubits (18 inches); lifespan is a lakh of years, and death occurs only when willed. 2, Treta Yuga or Silver Age: This second age is 1,296,000 human years. The qualities of this age are: the climate is three quarters virtue and one quarter sin; human stature is 14 cubits; lifespan is 10,000 years. 3, Dwapara Yuga or Bronze Age: This third age is 864,000 human years. Virtue and sin are equal in the Yuga and lifespan is 1,000 years. 4, Kali Yuga or Iron Age: The fourth and last age is 432,000 human years. This is the present age we live in. The qualities of this age are: the climate is one quarter virtue and three quarters sin; human stature is 3.5 cubits; lifespan is 100 or 120 years. Baba Hari Das states that creation disappears at the end of a Maha Yuga. Other sources do not suggest anything so drastic.
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Again interestingly “Brahma Kumaris,” a sect within Hinduism reject the traditional calculation of Yuga; they say each Yuga has 1250 years totaling 5000 years for 4 Yugas. “The first three avatars which descended on Earth was during the Sat Yuga, the next three in the Treta Yuga, seventh, eighth and ninth incarnations appeared in the Dwapara Yuga. The tenth avatar is said to appear in the Kali Yuga,” says “boldsky.com.” The proportion envisaged in Bhagavath Gita 4:7, that is: ‘one avatar for one Yuga’ is negated here. 1, Matsya Avatar: the first class of vertebrates; evolved in water during Silurian Period. 2 Koorma amphibious (living in both water and land; Avatar during Deveonian Period. 3 Varaha Avatar: indicative of mammals or animals originated in Triassic Period. 4 Narasimha Avatar half-animal and halfhuman indicative of emergence of human thoughts and intelligence. 5 Vamana: short, representing early human beings “As Lord Vishnu stepped over Bali's head, Bali went inside the earth and was granted moksha,” says “boldsky.com.” 6 Parasurama Avatar: representing the developing humans and forests dwellers, who employed weapon. 7 Rama Avatar: embarks community living and the beginning of civil society. (Note: should it mean there was no community living or civil society before the Rama, the seventh Avatar)? Then, how Manu, during the first avatar can be called “a king, greater than all other kings”? 8, Balarama Avatar: enlightenment stage of human development. Balarama is not at all in picture according to certain sources. They consider Buddha instead of Balarama as the eighth avatar. 9, Krishna Avatar: still advanced humans who practiced animal husbandry, and evolved political oriented societies. 10, Kalki Avatar: humans advanced with great powers of destruction. Note (1) some interpreters displace Buddha instead of Balarama as one of the incarnations of Vishnu representing the age of enlightenment. Buddha did not believe in God; his religion is atheistic in nature. Vishnu is god, mentioned second in the order of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva or Maheswar meaning he has power over Brahma and Vishnu of the god-head. He is responsible for the maintenance and sustenance of order of the creation. How could a god incarnate propound a philosophy/religion against the belief in the existence of god? For this reason, the mainstream Hindus do not include Buddha in the list of ten incarnations. Neither the calculation of Yuga nor the details concerning incarnation are complete beyond doubts. These are merely esoteric calculations devoid of reality. Kalki. “Lord Vishnu is believed to have taken on nine incarnations or avatars till now and the tenth avatar will descend on Earth at the end of the Kali Yuga,” says “boldsky.com.” Present Yuga is “Kali Yuga” also called “Mahayuga.” 10th and final incarnation of Vishnu is Kalki, scheduled to appear at the end of the current epoch. Religious texts called the Puranas foretell that Kalki will be atop a white horse with a drawn blazing sword. He is the harbinger of the end time in Hindu eschatology, after which he will usher in Satya Yuga.” Note: This delineation fits well into the expectation of second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as seen in the book of Revelation, 19:11-16. Kaliyuga started on February 18, 3102 BC. This is the day Krishna returned to his eternal abode, says Puranas. Thus, 2016 AD or 1181 Kollavarsham is 5107 of Kaliyuga year.
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Incidentally, it may be stated that Hebrew calendar began on October 7, 3761 B.C. Thus 2016 AD in Hebrew Year is 5776. Difference between Puranic Kaliyuga and Hebrew year is 669 years. In other words, Kaliyuga began on the 669th year of Hebrew year. This is another indication that there was only one group and one language before Aryans broke away from Hebrews, they moved from Asia Minor (present Turkey) toward east, first settled in Iran and then moved to many places before finally settling in Indus Gangetic plains which was also called “Greater India.” Aryans began recording the events after settling in Northern India and count the time naming it Kaliyuga. Yugas before it represents the time they could not precisely calculate and relied on imaginations and so it is absolutely incorrect; why I say so, nowhere else in the world cultures we see such calculations. Secondly it all talks about kings, emperors and Devas as heroes and Asuras, demons, etc. but not a word about common people and without them there cannot be kings and rulers. Thirdly, the contradictions among the epics are innumerable, which is because each author wrote what they thought without a common ground. Now let the Christians ponder whether or not they should celebrate a festival about which no one, even the devout Hindu, has any clue, if it is religious or secular, how it originated, what it stands for, and so on.