His days of exemplary governance, peace and prosperity are recalled even today by the people of Kerala during ‘Onam’ celebration. Legend says that ‘devas’ felt threatened by the goodness and valour of Mahabali.
They conspired to remove him and pleaded with Vishnu to intervene. Vishnu obliged, pushing the righteous and noble King Mahabali to the netherworld. Life and work are intertwined.
It is for our benefit and for the benefit of society, too. While minor deviations from this are ignored, major ones are invariably interrupted and set right by those with higher perspective. Even in a family or a corporate, individual actions are expected to be in conformity with the collective.
In scaling up, this applies to societies, states, countries, globe or the universe as a whole. When one country’s efforts at progress and development are reflected in other countries, we are seamlessly in tune with positive cosmic forces. Common good, benefit of all, along with one’s own, must be the driving force behind all endeavours, be it by a commoner, king or a country.
Viewed in this background, Mahabali’s kingdom was no doubt plentiful. However, his actions, though good, counted negative in the larger context. With no concern for others, they came in conflict with the totality, threatening the equilibrium. Therefore, he had to be removed and order, systems and harmony re-established.