இந்து புராணங்களில் மகாபலி சக்கரவர்த்தி – சாகாவரம் மற்றும் அதன் தத்துவ விளக்கம்

Emperor Mahabali in Hindu Mythology – Immortality and its Philosophical Interpretation

Abstract

Emperor Mahabali occupies a unique position in Hindu mythology. Despite being born into the Asura lineage, he stands as an embodiment of justice, charity, and devotion. By granting three paces of land to Lord Vishnu (who appeared as the Vamana avatar) and offering his own head for the third step, Mahabali attained the status of a Chiranjeevi (immortal) through divine grace. Unlike Ashwatthama’s immortality, which was a curse, Mahabali’s immortality was a reward for his supreme devotion and surrender.

This research paper explores Mahabali's immortality not just as a mythological event, but by delving into its deep philosophical foundations. The article explains how this immortality is intertwined with concepts of devotion, charity, the removal of ego (ahankara), and righteousness (dharma). The story of Mahabali highlights a fundamental truth of Indian philosophy: "It is not where we begin, but what we renounce that truly matters."

It is believed that during the festivals of Onam and Bali Pratipada, Mahabali returns to visit his subjects every year. Through this annual visitation, his immortality is shown to be more than just the persistence of the physical body; rather, it serves as a symbol of righteousness that remains eternal in the hearts of the people. Ultimately, Mahabali's immortality serves as a philosophical symbol of the high state of redemption achieved by surrendering one's ego to the Divine.