Shabdh

Bohot samay pehle, hara-bhara Kerala ek dayalu aur nyaypri king Mahabali ke raaj mein khushhaal tha. Raja apne logon se bohot pyaar karta tha aur sabko barabar maantaa tha. Uske raaj mein na koi dukh tha, na bhukh, na anyay. Sab log khush the.

Swarg ke devta ise dekh kar jalan mehsoos karne lage. “Ek insaan hote hue bhi log ise humse zyada pyaar karte hain,” unhone kaha. Lekin Bhagwan Vishnu ne Mahabali ki bhakti aur dayalu swabhav ko dekha aur use parakhna chaha.

Bhagwan Vishnu ek chhote Brahmin ladke Vamana ka roop lekar Mahabali ke paas aaye. Mahabali ne unka swaagat kiya aur kaha, “Mujhse jo chaho maang lo.”

Vamana ne kaha, “Mujhe sirf teen kadam zameen chahiye.”

Sab hasne lage — itni chhoti si maang! Lekin jaise hi Mahabali ne haan kaha, Vamana badhne lage. Wo itne bade ho gaye ki unka ek kadam aasman, doosra kadam poori dharti par pad gaya.

Phir Vamana bole, “Ab mera teesra kadam kahan rakhoon?”

Mahabali jhuk gaye aur bole, “Mere sir par rakhiye, Prabhu.”

Vamana ne apna paav dhire se Mahabali ke sir par rakha aur use paatal lok bhej diya. Lekin Mahabali ki vinamrata se prabhavit hoke, Vishnu ne usse ek vardaan diya — ki wo har saal ek din apne logon se milne Kerala wapas aa sakta hai.

Isi wapsi ka tyohaar hai Onam!

Har saal log phoolon se sajawat, boat race, sangeet, naach, aur bhoj ke saath Mahabali ka swaagat karte hain, taki wo dekhe ki unka Kerala ab bhi sundar aur khushhaal hai.

Seekh: Saccha mahan vyakti wahi hota hai jisme vinamrata aur dusron ke liye prem hota hai.

The Return of Mahabali

Long ago in the lush green land of Kerala, there lived a kind and noble king named Mahabali. He loved his people dearly and ruled with fairness and peace. Under his rule, there was no sorrow, no crime, and no hunger. People were happy, and prosperity bloomed everywhere.

But the gods in heaven grew jealous. “Mahabali is just a human, yet people love him more than us,” they murmured. Lord Vishnu, however, saw the king’s goodness and decided to test him.

He took the form of a tiny Brahmin boy named Vamana and visited Mahabali during a grand festival. The king welcomed him warmly and said, “Ask me anything you wish.”

Vamana smiled and said, “I need only three feet of land.”

The courtiers laughed — such a small request! But as soon as Mahabali agreed, Vamana began to grow. He grew taller and taller, towering above the clouds. With one foot, he covered the sky. With the second, he stepped over the earth.

“Where should I place my third step?” Vamana asked.

Mahabali bowed and said, “On my head, Lord.”

Vamana placed his foot gently on Mahabali's head and pushed him to the underworld. But touched by Mahabali’s humility, Vishnu granted him a special boon — once a year, Mahabali could return to Kerala to visit his people.

And that homecoming is celebrated as Onam!

Every year, the people of Kerala welcome King Mahabali with flower carpets, boat races, music, dance, and delicious feasts, hoping to show him that his land is still just as beautiful and joyful.

Moral: True greatness lies in humility and love for others.