ONAM CELEBRATIONS

 

Onam Celebrates Our Surrender To The Divine

Οnam marks the annual homecoming of King Mahabali who once ruled the three worlds Though he was an Asura, by virtue of his noble deeds and qualities, he became the ruler of heaven and earth This made the Devas, gods of the celestial world, very insecure According to Bhagavat Purana,as a result ,Aditii,their mother prayed to Bhagwan Vishnu for help. In response he manifested as her son Vamana dwart.

As Mahabali was performing sacrifice rituals and offering gifs, Vamana appeared and asked for some land only as much as he could measure in three steps. Mahabali agreed. Vamana then began to grow in size and measured the heaven in one stop the earth in another and asked the king where to his third step. Unperturbed,the generous Asura King offered his Head for the third step Pleased by his sense of surrender and sacrifice, Vamana blessed him.

Despite being from the clan of demons Mahabali  was hailed for his noble and generous qualities a master of the three worlds, he did not consider himself as their possessor, though he owned the whole world, he stood detached from item ,even though he was an emperor he acted like a renunciant and offered to Bhagwan Vishnu everything he possessed,even himself.

Ramana Maharashi says"When you find it difficult  to pursue the Janana  Marg path of knowledge, that Involves introspection contemplation and self-enquiry, just detach your renounce and surrender "This is what we learn from the abject surrender that Mahabali displaced before Vishnu.

In the Ramayan, Vibhishan could not tolerate Ravan's misdeeds and decided to surender before Ram. Sugreev objected to it but Ram replied, "Whoever comes me for refuge, after leaving all their relations and possessions, I protect them and take care of them”.

Kerala was part of Mahaball's kingdom. Because of his qualities like humbleness and humility the king became the darling of the people of Kerala. Everybody in his kingdom was no discrimination, no crime or corruption. Though he was vested with immense power, there was no occasion for Mahabali to use it. Just as people loved him as a benevolent king Mahabali moved his subjects. Afte his and when Vishnu blessed him and offered him a boon. Mahabali asked to be allowed to visit his people once a year to enquire about their  well being and wish them happiness and prosperity His wish was readily granted. Onam is the day Mahaball is believed to visit his people and bless them.

“Maveli Nadu Vaneedum Kaalam “ a popular Malayalam song celebrates Mahaball's reign, as a time when people considered themselves as one, every heart was filled with love and there was affluence and abundance everywhere.

When the Malayalam month of Chingam dawns, it marks the end of rains and heralds the beginning of a season. of sunny days. Onam is also celeberated as a harvest festival  that tells us what a true devotee should pray for”Iam not highly knowledgeable, I  know not who I am or what my ultimate destination is.I, therefore, surrender unto  your feet, which should take care of me.”