Onam: Are We Ready for Another Mahabali?  

By T S SREENIVASA RAGHAVAN  

Onam: Are We Ready for Another Mahabali?  

Equality is an utterly romantic word. It exists largely only in expression, not in practice. The term equality has social, political, economic and cultural undertones.

Many people of sharp intellect and whose honesty or integrity can never be questioned dreamt of a world where equality would be a way of life. We continue to dream of a utopian life when all negativity ceases to be. The story of Mahabali, the Asura King who ruled over the Malayala Nadu was held up as an ideal age when the king took care of all the needs of the people. Maveli naadu vaneedum kalam/ manusharellarum onnupole - 'During the reign of Mahabali/ All the men were equal'.

Was Mahabali the first socialist citizen in an unequal world? Or was he a benevolent despot who ruled over a utopian state? Whatever he was, today Mahabali is venerated as an icon of social justice and equality. According to mythology, there was neither corruption nor injustice during his reign; all his subjects enjoyed equal rights and led a happy life.

Even if the story of Mahabali is pure fiction it is a beautiful story - not because it takes us back to an era of social justice, but because it helps us dream: The more the inequality, the more will be the intensity of the equality dream. If dreams are one's unfulfilled desires, then, our desire for equality might one day get realised - but only when we strive for it in a positive manner. And if we are not ready when the dream turns real, like Mahabali, we might end up succumbing to the ego.

Legend has it that the envious Devas got Mahabali banished to the nether world by prevailing upon Lord Vishnu. As Vamana, Vishnu tricked the king into giving up his entire kingdom. However, the Asura King wrested one promise from Vishnu that he be allowed to visit his subjects on Thiru Onam day in the month of Chingam every year. Why did Vishnu banish a righteous king? One explanation is that Mahabali was full of ego - he refused to acknowledge the existence of God and hence the banishment.

Let's go back to the question of equality. This time, the question is not whether it is achievable or not - the question revolves around its appropriateness. Should everyone be equal in every way? If so, what would happen to this world? The answer is simple. There will be no more ups and downs; life will no longer be a struggle - it will be a bed of roses minus the thorns. When all have the same potential, equal strength, opportunity and resources, when all have the same intellect, life becomes easy and we'll all be content. It also follows that everybody can achieve enlightenment and attain the state of nirvana - the ultimate goal. What, then, would be the meaning of our existence?

Equality could ultimately mean stagnation. Disparity, on the other hand, makes life adventurous, spicy, colourful. It alone can challenge and test the maturity of human beings. Buddha and Mahavira were born because they lived in an unequal world where miseries existed. That brings us to the crucial question: How mature enough are we to deal with universal equality?

Onam, the festival of flowers, an annual celebration of the spirit of Mahabali's reign of justice, will continue to inspire us to strive for that Golden Mean - when the entire world will be completely free of conflict and any kind of inequality. It would be peaceful. But we also have to hone our ability to deal with the inner kingdom so that there is no discrepancy in the way we perceive the external and internal world. Otherwise, like Mahabali, we might get carried away by our sense of self-importance.

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See also: Onam, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)