Onam, A Festival Of Cultural Rejuvenation

THE SPEAKING TREE

Onam, A Festival Of Cultural Rejuvenation

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

21.08.2021

Festivals offer us a delightful diversion from our otherwise banal routines, rejuvenating us with fresh vigour and hope. Onam, an important festival of Kerala, is one such celebration. Many legends are linked to it. One of them is about a virtuous ruler’s redemption from the vice of obstinacy.

Mahabali was a kind-hearted Asur emperor who loved his subjects. A great donor, Mahabali delighted in giving more than what was sought. Shukracharya, his preceptor, pleased with his behaviour, made him perform the Vishwajit sacrifice, and win unsurpassable weapons. With pride of abundance, he usurped the throne of Indra, the king of Devas.

Once when Aditi, the mother of Devas, fell ill, she undertook Payovrat, a vow of living on a mono diet of milk and lying on the floor for fourteen days. Pleased with her penance, Vishnu appeared and said: “I shall be born to you to relieve your sorrows.”

Incarnating as Aditi’s son, Vishnu instantly appeared as a celibate dwarf, Vaman. Donning the sacred thread, wearing wooden footwear and holding a leafy umbrella, Vaman went to Bhrigukaccham, where Mahabali was performing his great sacrifice.

Mahabali received Vaman, washed his feet and asked the dwarf the reason for his visit. Vaman asked for land of the size that could be measured in merely three steps. Calling it too trifling a demand, Mahabali tried to persuade Vaman to ask for huge bounties. Vaman declined, saying greed was destructive.

Mahabali agreed. The dwarf suddenly grew gigantic and measured in two strides all that the emperor possessed. Seeing that Vaman had nowhere to take his third stride, Mahabali bent down, allowing the young swami to place his foot on his head, so that his word was not falsified.

Vaman’s intention was to awaken the Asur King to his own pride of lordship and the ‘greed to give lavishly’. Pride and obstinacy are self-destroying. The Vishnu avatar overwhelmed Mahabali with simplicity and self-restraint, making it an eternal lesson for all. Srimad Bhagavatam states that the event transpired on the banks of Narmada. The anomaly of Keralites celebrating Onam in the honour of Mahabali is thus a mystery, though adopting anything good from anywhere is great indeed.

Onam emphasises that to be generous is of no avail without being humble. It tells us how even noblemen can be blinded by pride to invite their own ruin.

Onam also shows how episodes from our ancient texts get misrepresented. There is a widespread belief that Vaman vanquished the righteous Mahabali by deceit. This was never the case. Lord’s intention was to liberate Mahabali from the wrench of pride and reward him amply. That is how he gifted Mahabali – Sutala – an abode second to none.

People buy new clothes and fill their kitchens with food during Onam. ‘Sell land and celebrate Onam’ is the hallowed proverb about celebrating this festival.

People decorate their courtyards with Pookkalam, an floral arrangement. In Thrissur, outside the Vadakkunnathan Shiv Temple, people from all walks join to make a huge Pookkalam, floral design, signifying mutuality and unity.

Onam combines remembrance and reverence, signifies resolve and reassurance.