Mythology Reveals Secrets Of Patal Lok, Story Of Its Ruler And How He Became King

Patal Lok: King Bali was a generous king, he gladly agreed to fulfill the wish of Vaman Dev. He fulfilled his promise to Vaman Dev. Vaman Dev was the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, every year the Dwadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Vaman Dev. In the year 2025, Vaman Jayanti will be celebrated on 4 September.

According to a legend, Lord Vishnu took the form of Vaman to reinstate the authority of Lord Indra on heaven. King Bali was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. King Bali was very powerful. He defeated Lord Indra and established his supremacy over heaven. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and was a very generous but cruel and arrogant demon. King Bali misused his power and frightened the gods and Brahmins.

Vamana Avatar And King Bali

After losing his right over heaven, Indra Dev along with other gods went to Lord Vishnu and told him about his pain and asked for his help. Lord Vishnu assured Indra Dev that he would take birth in the form of Vamana avatar from the womb of mother Aditi to free the three worlds from the atrocities of Bali.

Vamana Avatar And King Bali

Lord Vishnu took birth in the Vamana avatar and arrived at King Bali's Ashwamedha Yagna. Vamana Dev requested Bali for three steps of land as alms. Bali, who was a generous king, gladly agreed to fulfill Vamana Dev's wish. Vamana Dev assumed a very gigantic form and measured the entire earth with his first step. With his second step, he measured the heaven. Finally, when Vamana Dev was about to take his third step, King Bali realized that this beggar was no ordinary Brahmin but Lord Vishnu himself. So Bali offered his head to Vamana Dev for the third step. Then Lord Vishnu, respecting Bali's generosity, pushed him into the netherworld instead of killing him.

Indra Seeks Help From Vishnu

Lord Vishnu also gave Bali the boon that he could appear on earth once a year before his subjects. King Bali's annual visit to earth is celebrated as Onam in Kerala and Bali-Pratipada in other Indian states. Thus King Bali is called the ruler of the netherworld.