Mahabali
| Mahabali | |
|---|---|
| Member of Chiranjivi | |
Mahabali serves Vamana, while a suspicious Shukra tries to stop him. Painting from Mankot, Jammu and Kashmir, c. 1700–1725. | |
| Affiliation | Daitya, Asura, Mahajanas |
| Abode | Sutala loka |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | Virochana (father), Devi Vishalakshi (mother) |
| Spouse | Vindhyavali |
| Children | 100 sons including Banasura, Namasu, Sahasika, and Shakuni 2 daughters Ratnamala/Yagyamala and Vajrajvala (wife of Kumbhakarna) |
Mahabali (IAST: Mahābalī), also known as Bali, Indrasenan, or Māveli, is a daitya king featured in Hinduism. He is the grandson of Prahlada, and a descendant of the sage Kashyapa. There are many versions of his legend in ancient texts such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shatapatha Brahmana, and many Puranas. According to Hindu literature, he was blessed to be one of the Chiranjivi, a group of seven immortals, by Vamana avatar of god Vishnu and reigns in Sutala loka.
It is believed that Mahabali will become the King of Svarga (heaven) in the next Manvantara. In Kerala, Mahabali is considered to be the noblest and most prosperous ruler, who transformed his kingdom into a heavenly place. His legend is a major part of the annual festival Onam in the state of Kerala, and it is also celebrated in Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana, and Andhra as Balipratipada, Balipādyami, or Bali pādva (the third day of Deepavali and first day of Kartika month).