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Onam-Random Thoughts
Once again Malayalee Christians, particularly Orthodox Christians are in Onam fever. Cultural
associations with roots in Kerala are competing to celebrate Onam in a grand way; that is
understandable. But why and how the Christians embrace Onam as never before converting it
into a church function. Some parishes are secularized with these kinds oddities, hope my
research study on the subject will enlighten our faithful to resist secular interest in the parish and
it must stop.

Onam is the most popular festival of Kerala. Many versions are extant as to how Onam came
into existence and how it is important in Kerala. Until recently it was honored as a Hindu
festival. In the early sixty’s Kerala Government declared it a national holiday, without
diminishing its religious hue or fervor. Irrespective of religious orientation people of all walks
celebrate Onam and this would have been the probable reason why it was made a national
holiday. All children enjoy Onam holidays immediately following ‘Onam Term Examination.’
Onam is the name of a star-constellation in the elliptical cycle of zodiac. Zodiac cycle has 360
degrees. Each 30 degrees is named one house called ‘Rasi,’ thus there are 12 zodiac houses, each
house is influenced by certain planet and most influential planet is assigned lordship of each
house. Each house is considered exactly as13 degrees and 20 minutes, thus we have 27 segments
called Janma Nakshathra or birth star. Lunar presence in each constellation determines the birth
star of an individual, in this manner each individual is assigned one Rasi and one Nakshatra.
Each nakshathra is assigned to one chief deity together with participating deities. Onam is known
in Sanskrit and most other languages as “Sravana” or Chingam. Predominantly Sravana denotes
a month in other Indian languages, Chingam in Malayalam. Onam, Athira and Ketta are said
with a prefix “Thiru” meaning sacred, holy, etc. Anything attached to god or royalty assumed
the prefix “Thiru.” Onam being the star assigned to god-Vishnu it is always said as Thiruonam.
Some sources say “Onam is birth star of Vishnu,” but who knows the birth of Vishnu? It is better
to say ‘star assigned to Vishnu.” Supposedly Vishnu has a thousand names (“Sahasra Naamam.)”
Sri Padmanabha is one of Vishnu’s thousand names. Hindus believe that reciting
Sahasranaamam brings blessings.

One way or other festivals are connected to religious belief systems in all human communities;
Onam is no exception. Thiruonam is the name of one of the 27 stars that constitute a month, thus
Onam comes in every month. But Onam in Chingam (Sravana month), the first month of
Kollavarsham is celebrated with much grandeur and feast. Why? The reason is as below:

Aside all the legends and fable versions, Thiruonam is the birth star of Vishnu. Sri Padmanabha
is one of the thousand names (Sahasranamam) of Vishnu. Travancore royal house was devotees
of god Vishnu. Onam is the birth-star of Sri Padmanabhaswamy in whose name
Thiruvananthapuram Temple is known. ‘Thiruvananthapuram Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple’ is
the most famous and one of the richest few temples in India. Present Kerala is the agglomeration
of three kingly states, Travancore, Cochin and Malabar formed on the basis of language on 1st
November 1956. The state of Travancore consisted many local kingdoms until the time of
Marthanda Varma. He was a great warrior and fought many wars and attached all the local
kingdoms into one known as Travancore. He plundered riches of the petty kings and wealthy
people and deposited multi-tons of gold and precious stones in the in the Padmanabha Temple
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vault. No one knows for sure how much is stored in the temple. The temple is a standing
monument of their devotion to god. It was owned and operated by the royal family until 1950.
Kerala Devasvam Board took over some rights over its management in 1950. The very name
‘Thiru-anantha-puram,’ means “Holy City of Anantha.” Anantha is another name of Adisheshan,
the five headed Serpent, coiled like a bed floating in the water. Lord Vishnu sleeps on Ananda.
Thus, Vishnu is also known as Narayanan. Sri Padmanabha is the tutelary deity of Travancore
Royal family. The most acclaimed Anizham Thirunaal Marthanda Varma Mahaharaja formally
dedicated Travancore Kingdom to Sri Padmanabha on the 3rd January 1750 AD. From then,
Onam became the most popular festival of Travancore. From 1750 all the Kings took the title
“Sri Padmanabha Vanchipala Marthanda Varma Kulasekara Perumal. All successive Travancore
Maharajas self-adorned the title, “Padmanabha Dasa” or “Slave of Padmanabha” and ruled the
country as devout servants of Sri Padmanabha. Unlike in these ‘let-loose’ days of so-called
democracy (actually mobocracy), where none obeys none the subjects believed and followed
what the king believed and decreed. Religious orientation had minimal impact. Likewise,
Thiruonam is the birth star of Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu. Recently, Sasikala
teacher, a vociferous Hindu propagandist, admitted in Asianet show, “Onam is celebrated in
Kerala for 200 years only.” Her admission is a reflection of the true history of Onam. But Hindu
websites contradict her statement claiming, “Onam festivities have been recorded during the time
Kulasekhara Perumals in 800 A.D. In those days Onam used to be a full month-long
celebration… Facts and fables blend as Kerala celebrates this royal return, year after year with
the festivities of Onam… Many things without due research ended up in fallacy,” they claim.
“Due to lack of physical evidences, it has been assumed that the festival started somewhere
around 800 A.D during the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals as the harvest festival of the state,”
says “iloveindia.com.”

Kulasekhara Varman also known as Kulasekhara Alwar founded the Second Chera dynasty
around 800 AD. His capital was Kollam. Kulasekhara Varman commissioned a new era called
“Kolla Varsham” because it was proclaimed at Kollam, then Capital. Later when Malayalam
became the Lingua Franca of former Malabar, Kochi and Travancore States around 1500 AD or
later it came to be known as “Malayalam Era”. New Year day of Kollavarsham, the King
Rajashekhara Varman Kulasekhara Perumal commissioned was the first day Chingam (Sravana).
This historic event took place on August 15, 825 AD. Rajasekhara Varman Kulasekhara Perumal
of the ninth century is different from Marthanda Varma Maharaja of the 17th Century. Blood
lineage or direct relation with the Marthanda Varma of the 17th century and Kulasekhara Varmas
of 9th century is tenuous as it is not established beyond doubt. Marthanda Varma took the name
of ninth century king because the name was too illustrious with historical significance. On those
days and even today it is customary to assume the name of famous heroes of the past.

Somehow certain sources link Syrian Christianity with Malayalam Era namely; some believe that
the king gave “Tharisa Palli” Plates commonly known as Copper Plates granted to Mar Sabor
and Afroth, who migrated and settled in Kollam as per the invitation of the King. I do not
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consider this nothing more than a co-incident. Tharisa Pally (Tharisa means Thrisaisubahoo or
Orthodox faith in Syriac). Copper plates have nothing to do with Kollavarsham. Herman Gundart
said that ‘Kollavarsham started when a new Shiva Temple in Kollam was completed. This may
be more appropriate because the royals were more religious than being politically correct; the
local religious community was obligated to strictly obey the royal decree without going into its
merits. So then, the conclusion is: Onam is a Malayala Nadu festival, in honor of Sri
Padmanabha of Trivandrum, as decreed by the then Travancore Monarch Marthanda Varma
Maharaja in AD 1750 and for the same reason it grew as a festival surpassing all religious and
local barriers in the whole kingdom. Onam is celebrated in Kerala by the people of Kerala origin
only, which certainly mitigates the religious claim of Vamana Vis Mahabali. No wonder, RSS
mouthpiece ‘Kesari’ claimed there was no reference in any mythological scriptures which
supports the popular and widely circulated legend that ‘Vamana’ had sent Mahabali to the
netherworld through deceit and the king visits the land annually to meet his subjects.” CPM
leader and state Health Minister KK Shylaja countered this argument saying, “Onam was
celebrated by all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion and the attempt of the RSS was to
bring back the bygone “upper class hegemony.” I stand in unison with Mrs. KK Shylaja as
already explained.

Harvest Festival: Onam is a festival of harvest that is another practical reason. Harvesting is
celebrated as festival in all the ancient races, cultures and communities. For example, Passover is
basically the harvest festival of Hebrews. Philadelphia has over 30 harvest festivals.
Thanksgiving Day is the harvest festival in America. Yam harvest festival is important in Ghana.
China celebrates this as Harvest Moon Festival, which is the time of harvesting rice and wheat.
Holi is the harvest festival in North India. Pongal is harvest festival and one of the most joyful
events in Tamil Nadu. 'Makara Sankranti' is the festival in Karnataka and the list goes on
endless. Harvesting time is the most jubilant season in all communities. Festivities include,
gathering of relatives, friends and well-wishers, offering and receiving gifts, particularly
clothing, sports and entertainments and everything culminating in sumptuous feast. 12th month of
both solar and lunisolar year is Karkatakam or Ati. Southwest Monsoon also called Etavappathi,
sets in at this time. Overflow of rivers and streams and flooding the low-lying areas and road
blockages are common. Midhunam and Karkatakam are also infamous as “famine months”
(Panjamasam) because, no crops to harvest, shortage of food supply at its peak, business and
transportation dull due heavy and incessant outpouring rain and flood during the months. The
scenario drastically changes the next month, Chingam (Sravana), which is a holy month in
Hinduism. Weather pattern improves, paddy and tropical crops harvesting and marketing swings
upwards and these bring happiness to the people. Thus, harvesting season is a festive season for
all societies world over.

As with all festivals Onam is a time of feasting and physical enjoyments. In other words, there is
no festival without feast. Onam feast is special and exemplary in many ways. It is the exhibition
of pomp and pleasure to the visiting King, Mahabali. Every preparation, say, Puukkalam,
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enticing artwork and decoration in the front courtyard of every house with various colors,
designs and flowers, which it itself is an art of high caliber by women, as a symbol of receiving
the King with great fanfare, art exhibition such as, Vallam kali (boat race- Arammulai), Pulikali
(Tiger play) Tug of war, Thumpi thullal (butterfly play), Kummatti Kali, Onatthallu,
Athachamayam, Thiruvathira Kali, and so on are famous tradition in Kerala. The pinnacle of all
celebration is preparing and feasting of variety of delicious and palatable food dishes, befitting to
royal table. Swing made of plant-creepers from the forest and coir ropes is another big Onam
attraction. Onam was a superb occasion when people of all religious and party affiliations
sinking their differences join together in one accord to celebrate the great event in the history of
Kerala culture.

I recollect with great joy and gratitude, I served as the Secretary of East-Vazhamuttom Arts Club
and “Balajana Sakhyam from 1964-68. Mr. K Janardhanan Nair Sir and K Gangadharan Nair Sir
encouraged me to come forward and serve the Arts Club. Our weekly get together on Sunday
evenings was a talent exhibition, literary in nature; where I was a permanent speaker (oration)
and Gopi, son of Damodaran Achari was a singer. Melody of Gopi and Sasi from Sakthanar
society still reverberates in my ears. We worked together as members of one family, forgetting
religious and caste barricades. We organized many fundraising, public meetings and staged
dramas professionally, such as, “Nee Ninte Ayalkarane snehikkuka” by Kanam E J, Award
winner “Kakkapponnu” by S. L Puram Sadanandan, “Vellinakshathram” (by C.L. Jose?), and so
on. Hindu, Christian and scheduled caste/tribe sat next to each other in public places; schools,
colleges, workplaces and meeting places on working days and at leisure times joined together in
common pursuit of art and cultural activities. We all went to our respective worship centers
without discord or fight on the day of worship. In fact, I visited a few local temples too. That was
our golden youth days! But now the situation is just opposite with the escalated and hateful
message by the RSS and Hindu parochialists. Social harmony began to melt down. Muslim
Hindu rivalry in places such as Ayodhya and elsewhere had fatal grip on Kerala social and
political arena; both are competing to inject religious hatred in the mind of youth and many lost
the common ground of friendship and brotherly cooperation.

To summarize: Onam is unknown in outside Kerala State, except for the presence of Keralites.
Keralites are scattered world over. They celebrated Onam wherever they are present and to that
extend it now known world over. (1) in the religious sense, it is related to Sri Padmanabha of
Trivandrum (Royal Deity), (2) Onam is the Harvest Festival of Travancore Kingdom, now State
of Kerala, (3) its observance began with a Royal Decree by Marthanda Varma Maharaja which is
why it is observed by all irrespective of religious barriers and (4) Kerala Government declared it
a national holiday for all Keralites in 1961.

Onam Legends: Numerous legends are extant and I shall discuss only a few. ‘King Mahabali was
the greatest king of Kerala and it was during his reign that the local people saw the best of times;
prosperity and grandeur prevailed everywhere. (Note: They also claim that Mahabali was a
demon king. They do not consider the contradiction in saying a demon king was so great and
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charitable, there was great prosperity in the land, etc.). Lord Vishnu emerged as Vamana
meaning, dwarf-short stature and tricked the King to give him all land he had. He was sent to a
lower world. Mahabali’s rule on earth thus ended. Vamana granted him a boon that he could visit
his land once a year. Onam celebrates his home-coming,’ says “Prokerala.com.” Another
contradiction here is demon is different from Rakshasa. A demon is supernatural and ought to
know beyond physical understanding that is, the very fact that Mahabali was unable make out
who the dwarf was in his presence, makes the whole story a hoax and prove that Mahabali was
neither a Rakshasa nor a demon but a normal human being. Shukracharya, Mahabali’s Guru
warned him but he did not heed to Guru and agreed to part the land as Vamana sought. This
virtue makes him better most Devas; still he is treated as Asura! Another story says that
Mahabali was killed in a war, his cadaver was taken to Pathaala, the abode of Asuras and his
Guru healed him.

Brother Dhruva Chaitanya’s version: a young and aspiring Hindutva protagonist and member of
Adisankara Nilayam in a video presentation expounds the spiritual meaning of Onam in a new
vein correcting the traditional understanding of all people all over the world. He asserts that
every festival is designed to meet god. Here, Bali was only a human being. Vamana being god he
is more significant than Bali. Bali was an Asura King who lived in the ‘Rasaathalam.’ (Note:
Hindu Puranas speak of 14, seven seen and seven unseen worlds. There are three levels-thalams
or Thriloka; namely, (1) heaven or Devaloka up above where Devas (divine or noble beings)
live, (2) earth or Bhuloka in the middle where human beings live and (3) Rasaathalam also
known as Paathaalam below the two. (Note: This concept is evolved as a result of ancient
peoples thought that earth is flat and static and three worlds are made one over the other etc.
Ancient Jews also had the same concept, which again points to the fact that both Jews and
Hindus had common origin). Paathaalam in Hindu concept is not hell as generally conceived.
Another view is that Himalaya is the gateway to heaven and the south end is Pathalam! In this
sense, the war between Devas and the Asuras are the wars between northerners and southerners).
Bali yearned to occupy the seat of Indra, king of Devas. (Anyone who successfully performed
Aswamedha Yagam (the top-level horse-sacrifice) 100 times in a row he becomes the Lord of
Devalokam-Indra. Bali did not engage in a war, force or muzzle power to achieve his goal of
becoming the king of Devalokam rather, he conducted sacrifices of horse. If that is the case,
stating that “Mahabali usurped heaven, the Devas fled in fear, which prompted Vishnu to
disguise the form of Vamana” is unbelievable. By all standard Mahabali is acclaimed a noble
soul.) Vamana came and obstructed the Yagam on the hundredth day so that Bali should not
succeed in his pursuit to become king of Devalokam. Br. Dhruva claims, ‘Bali was lifted up as
Mahabali because he submitted to Vamana.’ Vamana meaning dwarf is the fifth incarnation of
Vishnu, the god who sustains the world. Vamana is known to all Hindus all over India. Br.
Dhruva says that Onam is celebrated not because of Mahabali but because of the
Vamanajayanthi, birth of Vamana. If Onam is Vamanajayanthi as Br. Dhruva claims, why
Vamana is not mentioned even in one hymn while the nobility of Mahabali is extolled in all
hymns? How Onam is unknown in outside Kerala, needs answer. Dhruva says Vamana met Bali
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at Br’hukachath, near Narmada River in Gujarat on the 100th day of Ashvamedha. If so, Onam
should have been known at least in Gujarat, where the so-called reason for Onam celebration
took place, that is, Vamana sending Mahabali to Pathalam or Suthalam according to the latest
exposition! The claim is again tenuous because, Maharaja Prahlada was said to be the
grandfather of Mahabali; he was a Vaishnavaite born and ruled in Punjab. Thus, chance of
Mahabali conducting Horse sacrifice at Gujarat is illogical.

Devas and Asuras: Yet another tradition expounds that Devas and Asuras are the sons Aditi and
Diti, two sisters from the same father. Note: By default, Devas represent Sathguna and Asuras
represent Rajoguna or Thamoguna, good and evil respectively. But this meaning is far from
truth. For instance, Indra in Rig Veda is depicted as a drunkard, womanizer and who killed his
father for a simple reason that the father drank his soma (wine or energy drink of Devas). He
obliterated a great civilization known as Harappa civilization that flourished so well before his
conquest. Prof C Ravichandran in a debate argues that Gita and other Hindu religious books are
full of contradictions, which most ordinary Hindu followers find difficulty to believe.
Parasuraman the sixth in the order of incarnation story is another character who is guilty of
matricide and mass murder of Kshatriyas. How satguna could be attributed to such a character,
or how they be called devas is a great riddle? Prahlada was born as a Vishnu-devotee, he suffered
and withstood great persecution at the hands of his own atheist father Hiranyakashipu when he
was an infant, namely, Narasimha avatar liberated Prahlada at the age of 5 years by killing his
father. A conflict arises concerning Hiranyakashipu. He is described as a devotee of Brahma.
“Hiranyakashipu decided to gain supernatural powers and performed great 'tapas' (penance) to
please Brahma, the creator-god. When Brahma appeared before him, Hiranyakashipu sought a
boon that he should not get death either on earth or in space, either in fire or in water, either
during daytime or during nighttime, either by humans or by gods or by any species, either by the
animate or by inanimate, either inside the house or outside the house. Brahma was very pleased
with his penance and granted the request as a boon to Hiranyakashipu.” How a person who did
penance to such extent that pleased Brahma could be said as atheist, even if he became hostile to
Vishnu for no reason? Prahlada is labelled as Asura while Indra and Parasurama are said as
Devas; is it not contradictory?

Another explanation: (1) “There are two classes of men: Deva and Asura. Dvau bhūta-sargau
loke 'smin daiva āsura eva ca (Bh Gita 16:6). Āsuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Viṣṇu-bhaktaḥ smṛto daiva
āsuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Those who are devotees of the Lord, servants of the Lord, they are called
deva, or demigods. Āsuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Asuras are just the opposite; just as
Hiranyakashipu and Prahlada, father and son. Prahlāda is deva because he is a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.”

The fact: Devas and Asuras are two ancient warring groups always at odds. According to Prof
Uthaya Naidu, and many scholars, Indra was the leader of the first Aryan conquest from Asia
Minor or Persia. Asuras were the displaced Assyrians. The Assyrians are Mediterranean
Caucasoid. They were good in trade and commerce. Some Assyrians traders migrated and settled
in India on various occasions since 1200 BC. The Assyrian migrants were driven away to south
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by the first invaders who were by then established in north. The first invaders named themselves
Devas and called the later Assyrian invaders, Asura.

“There is a view that the ancestors of Kerala people were Assyrians. Assyrians were considered
Asuras, the enemies of Devas. Banan and Bali were their kings. That was a reason for driving
Bali away to Kerala. (Note: This theory goes well with teaching Himalaya as Heaven and South
end Tamil Nadu and Kerala as Paathalam). An all ancient communities harvest days were of
great celebration, so was to Assyrians. They brought with them the same culture and systems and
continued the harvest festival, which became Onam later on. Some of the research results
indicate that Bali was the ruler of Assyria and his place was referred as 'Analavaruddham'-
meaning, a place where fire cannot be controlled once broken out. It refers to Iran – Iraq, the oil
rich countries. Oil well once start burning it is impossible to put out the fire. It is also shown by
these researchers that the Thrikkakara Appan made of clay in the form of a pyramid by
individual households during Onam days to place in front of the house for worshiping has
similarity with the Assyrian God ‘Siguratth’ idol according to them,” says, “spiderkerala.net”
another Hindu website.

Inconsistency in the order of incarnation and Onam: Hindu website, “Temple Purohit.com”
claims, “The first six incarnations of Vishnu relate to Darwin’s theory of evolution.”

1, Mathsya (fish): Life starts in water (600 million - 400 million years ago).” Mathsya denotes
the start of life in water; but Manu was a full-grown man. Manu was said as not only as a man
but also as a powerful king, which attributes that there were a large number of subjects under his
command. Concept of a most powerful ruler covering the whole earth and the head of mythical
dynasties that began with each cyclic Kalpa begins with Manu. The author further contents that
“This story is highly similar to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. The amount of common grounds
between those two religions that are poles apart today is really astonishing.” I sympathize with
the author for his inadequate study of the great deluge which all the human societies expound in
differing details. Manu is believed to be the direct son of Brahma. That Manu lived 400 million
years ago is inconceivable to a rational mind. Subhamoy Das places the possible date of Manu’s
life to 500 BC. How both dates will go together? 2, Kuurma (Turtle): The first amphibians
emerge (100 million years ago). 3, Varaha (boar): The first mammals evolve (60 million years
ago, that is, a gap of 40 million years between two incarnations!) 4, Narasimha (half man-half
lion): Half man and half animal appear (30 million years ago, that is, a gap of ten million years
between two incarnations!) (Note: Darwin’s theory of evolution does not contemplate a ‘half-
man-half-animal’ theory). 5, Vamana (dwarf man): Homo erectus, upright, yet short and
weaponless (5 million to 2 million years ago, a gap of 25 million.) Note: The first erect man was
short! This contradicts the very ‘Yuga Theory,’ where it says, “The size of men in Sathyayuga
was 21 cubits; (31.5 feet) and life-span was a lakh of years, death happened only when willed!”
Unlimited exaggeration, isn’t it?
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Again, fifth Avatar Vamana (dwarf) symbolizes erect human beings, said to have taken place
two million years ago. Bali was his contemporary. Was human society developed to have a king
like Mahabali two million years ago? Another ambiguity relative to Yuga calculation and actual
incident of Narasimha and Vamana. Narasimha appeared and killed Hiranyakashipu and installed
his son Prahlada as king, is amusing. Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada that is the third
generation. Could there be a “Yuga difference between first and third generation? Vamana
appeared to remove Mahabali, the grandson of Bhaktha-Prahlada! Here again, the crux issue is
the relentless fight between Shaivaites and Vaishnavaites. Hiranyakashipu, father of Prahlada
was a devotee of Brahma, through penance had won certain boon from Brahma. Having regards
that only pious men can obtain divine boon, and he is termed as atheist and tyrant king at the
same time does not coincide. He, Hiranyakashipu, was thoroughly opposed to Vishnu, the reason
is unexplained, but Vishnu was the deity of his son, Prahlada from birth. Brahma was born from
the naval of Vishnu; thus, Vishnu becomes the father of Brahma how and why they were
opposed to one another as if belonged to different religions? This adduces beyond doubt that
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were not trinities of the same religion or godhead, but rather, these
were deities of different invading group of people at different ages and later culminated into one.

“Yuga” Gap from the first to the third generation is whimsical as seen above. Vamana is fifth in
the order of Dasaavathars. Parasurama (axe bearer) is sixth in line of incarnations. He plays
important role in the Mahabharatha and Ramayana, mentoring Bhishma, Drona and Karna.
Parasurama was a disciple of Shiva and learned the scriptures and the art of warfare from Shiva.
In this sense Parasuram ought to be contemporary of Krishna who led the Kuruskethra war. As
always Vaishnavaites were in enmity with Shaivaites and always tried to put down Shiva behind
Vishnu. So Parasurama being the incarnation of Vishnu, chance of becoming Shiva’s student is
untenable. If at all so happened it meant Shaivaites got upper hand over Vaishnavaites.
According to another source, Parasurama, Balrama and Krishna were contemporaries. How the
three incarnations representing three Yugas (a Yuga is defined as 1200 years) become
contemporaries? “Traditionally, the epic belongs to the Treta Yuga, one of the four eons (Yuga)
of Hindu chronology, and is dated as far back as 880,000 years in the past. Rama is said to have
been born in the Treta Yuga to King Daśaratha in Ikshuaku vamsha (clan).” A. L. Basham,
however, is of the opinion that “Rama may have been a minor chief who lived in the 8th or the
7th century BC.”

A very interesting correlation is embedded in the legend of the Matsya avatar. It is said that king
Manu who was the most powerful ruler on earth (pointing the existence of a vast population and
many kings) went near the ocean and took a handful of water, in that a small goldfish requested
Manu to rescue him. All of a sudden, the fish began to grow exponentially and that is when
Manu realized it was lord Vishnu and he bowed in front of the fish. Vishnu advised him to take
all the species on a boat before the destruction (general principle concerning god is, “Na kuryal
nishphalam karma,” that is, ‘no work without a purpose.’ In this case the nature of immorality,
reason or purpose of destruction is not explained. Lord Vishnu in the form of a fish propelled the
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boat to Mount Himavat (Himalaya) saving other seven souls. This indicates that the story is
loaned from foreign sources. Every nation, tribe and race has a legendary story of great deluge,
total destruction and recreation by the few who survived. “Some similarities can be attributed to
story of flood at the time of Noah and building of an arc through which eight souls were saved
and they replenished the earth. The amount of common grounds between those two religions that
are poles apart today is really astonishing,” says the author. So, then it is loaned from biblical
source, where sexual immorality is explained beyond ambiguity as the reason for destruction.
This also ratifies the theory of human origin from a single source.

“Titi Tudorancea Encyclopedia” claims: “Mahabeli also known as Maveli was a benevolent
Asura King and the grandson of Prahlada, The Onam festival is celebrated in honor of this
mighty king.” The king was from the line of Diti, a deity in Rigveda. The real name of Bali was
Indrasena. Bali was born of Devamba to Veerochana, the son of Prahlada. He grew up under the
tutelage of his grandfather who instilled in him a sense of righteousness and Bhakti. Bali
succeeded his grandfather and became king of the Asuras. There was peace and prosperity
everywhere during his reign. He expanded his kingdom and usurped the heaven. The vanquished
Devas then complained to their protector Vishnu, who assured them that he himself would
restore the authority of Devas. (Indication here is that as Bali invaded Devalokam the Devas fled,
thus the need to conduct Ashvamedha is irrelevant). Here Vishnu is acting for Deva-group alone.
How a god could be partial to a particular group for no reason? Bali, at the behest of his Guru
Sukracharya decided to conduct Ashvamedha Yagam. During the Yagam, Vishnu in the guise of
a small Brahmin boy (Vamana), appeared before Bali and asked for three paces of land. Note:
Hindu scholars consider Vamana’s appearance as a poor Brahmin boy as a simple trickery but it
was a premeditated deceit. More than a trick or deceit god’s weakness to face the mighty king is
manifested in this act. Bali, who had vowed not to refuse anyone, promptly granted the wish,
even ignoring the warnings of his guru. Bali’s magnanimity is un-parallel in this case. Vamana
measured all the three worlds, the earth, the sky and Pathala with two paces. Then, Bali offered
himself for the third pace and thus Vamana banished him to Pathala. However, impressed by
Bali's unselfish devotion and unwavering "dharma", Vishnu granted him the permission to visit
his subjects once a year. Vamana Purana claims that Mahabali was a righteous ruler. These
virtues of Mahabali excel Devas in all respects and yet he is categorized as “Demon king Asura.”

Note: The word “demon” is derived from the Greek root daimōn. But originally and in Greek it
did not connote a negative or supernatural meaning. So also “Asura is a derivation of Persian
Ahura (Mazda - Zoroastrian god). Later the word Asura was expanded to mean Rakshasa (giant),
Vethala (evil spirit), bhuta (ghost), Pisach (devil) and so on. Although the recent Hindu pundits
deny the Aryan invasion theory, these words stand testimony to Persian and Greek invasion in
the Indus Valley soil. They subjugated and ruled India and made Vedas and stories elevating
themselves as Gods and Kings and denigrating the original inhabitants and those migrated later
as Asura, Rakshasa (giants), demons and Sudra (menial worker), etc. as Prof Uthaya Naidu
rightly claims in his book “Aryan Bible.” Another point of interest is that ordinary believers and
 10

worshipers have no part in anyone of the Hindu Scriptures; Vedas, Upanishad, epics, stories and
legends, all are stories of kings, emperors, devas, and supernatural elements written in Sanskrit.
Ordinary people were forbidden from learning and they were compelled to believe without
knowing anything what lies and imaginary stories Brahmins deliberately propagated.

Parasurama Legend says that Parasurama created Kerala throwing his axe in the ocean. Until his
time the land boundary was Gokarnam (Konkan). Like Indra, he committed matricide and
murdered all Kshatriyas and is known as the slayer of Kshatriyas. The age of one Yuga in human
terms is assumed at 1200 years, as said before. Onam is said to be a memorial of Vamana’s
surreptitious, some say heroic, act of trickery that ended Mahabali’s life on the earth. Kerala was
not in existence during the life time of Mahabali and Vamana. How then Kerala could be related
to Vamana or Bali episode? Relevance of both Onam and Vamanajayanthi in the name of
Trikkaakkara Appan becomes unsustainable.

“The second avatar, Kuurma was taken during the Satya Yuga which is the first Yuga in the
cycle.” This statement points to the fact that first Avatar took place before the first Yuga. How is
it possible? “During this Yuga, there was a conflict between the Devas and Asuras to obtain the
immortal nectar from the ocean which was sorted out by lord Vishnu in the form of a turtle.”
Here also we see fully developed human population called Devas and Asuras. They were able to
distinguish morality and immorality, capable to establish kingdoms and fight each other, etc.
How a developed humanity depends upon a god in the form of a turtle to control their destiny?

Some Hindu activists claim that Trikkakara, near Mulanthuruthy was the capital of the mighty
King Mahabali. A temple in the name of deity “Trikkakara Appan” (Lord Vishnu) in the guise of
Vamana, is located here. Lord Rama enquired, according to one source, about King Bali to his
Guru Vasista and he answered, “Bali was a great king and is always protected by Lord Vishnu.”
Brahma-Vaivarta Puranam says, “Lord Vishnu positioned Bali in power to curb the pride of
Indra.” Bhagavata Purana reads, “Vishnu will take the kingdom away from Purandara, i.e. Lord
Indra and give it to Bali Maharaja.” This is the best example how Vaishnavaites take the position
that Vishnu is superior to Lord Shiva. Shaivaites stand in juxtaposition, where Shiva is superior
entity to Vishnu, and that fight is eternal.

Example: Yet another conflicting story is that Lord Shiva said to his spouse Parvati that “Anyone
who would make the lamp (deepa) burn brighter would be the ruler of the three worlds.” A rat
approached the lamp (rat is the vehicle of Ganapathy, the son of Shiva and Parvati), wanting to
drink the melted butter but as it tried to drink, the flame kindled into its mouth. Seeing this,
Parvati asked Lord Shiva to keep his promise. Lord Shiva complied with what Parvati desired.
Thus, Bali became the lord of three worlds (Triloka) at the order of Shiva. Note: rat’s connection
with Bali is unclear; rat stands for the presence of Ganapathi. The Skanda Purana, a Shaivaite
text claims that “Bali worships Shiva every day.” According to Adhyatma Ramayanam “Vamana
Maharaja guards the gate of Bali Maharaja in the Sutala planet and will remain so forever.”
Tulsidas’ Ramayana too declares that Vamana became the “dwarapal” or gatekeeper of Bali.
 11

Vamana Puranna, states that ‘Bali performed Aswamedha sacrifice in the Kurukshetra, where
Bali deprived Indra of his kingdom.’ Note: Kurukshethra is claimed in Ayodhya in Uttar
Pradesh, neither in Gujarat nor at Thrikkaakkara-Mulanthuruthi, in Kerala. Some scholars claim
that “Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in Tretā-yuga in the city of Multan, in the state of Punjab.”
This claim directly contradicts Dhruva Chaitanya’s statement “Vamana met Bali at
Br’hukachath, near Narmada River in Gujarat.” Bhavishyottara Purana says that King Bali is
“Future Indra” and that a king should pay respect to King Bali.” Valmiki's Ramayana says that
‘King Bali tied Rakshasa Ravenna in a cowshed.’ Here it is apt to quote scholar Romesh
Chander Dutt who wrote, “There are many contradictions and conflicting narrations in the epics.
The Ramayana, like the Mahabharata, is a growth of centuries, but the main story is more
distinctly the creation of one mind.” I hope my readers, including the ultra-radical Hindu
activists, will surely exonerate me for my interpretation which goes well with right-minded
Hindu scholars.

In the days of Rigveda, there were two major groups of Aryans; The Indo-Aryans who believed
that Aditi was the true mother of devas and Irano-Aryans (Dasyu) who believed Diti, the twin
sister was. Bali was the descendant of this line. D. R. Bhandarkar writes in his ‘Some Aspects of
Ancient Indian Culture’ that “Parsus or Persian” was an old term for “Rakshasas” (demons). He
further says that the word “Rakshasa” is used to Asuras in Panini's. Parshvadi-gana: Atala,
Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala Loka. Vishnu Purana narrates a story,
Vishnu’s 5th avatar (incarnation), Vamana asked for land from Daitya King Mahabali and how
Bali left India to settle in South America. (Interestingly here, South America is considered
another world, or say, one of the 14 worlds). “A few scholars believe that these demons and
Hiranyakashipu were actually Iranians fighting with Indians, who migrated to Indus from the
same area long before. However, scholar Askhoy Mazumdar as being from the Daitya branch of
the Aryans ruling in 29th century BC, northwest India; he is held by many of the same sect as
being the "Aryan colonizer" of eastern and southeastern India.” This is another Hindu version!
Interestingly, the Vedic scriptures have close semblance with Arabian Knight Stories which is
another proof of common origin and Aryan invasion from Asia Minor and Middle East.

Vishnu is said to have taken one avatar (incarnation) in each Yuga, to destroy the wicked and to
protect and sustain the godly. It is unclear on what basis the Yugas and Avatars are limited to
ten. It is also taught that we are living in the last and final tenth Yuga, the reason is unknown.
Bhagavath Gita 4:7 says, “Yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya / glaanir bhavathi Bhaaratha /
abhyudhaanam adharmasya / thadaathmaanam srujaamyaham,” Meaning: “I take birth whenever
morality declines, weaken or loosen (dharma) in Bharatha and immorality is on the rise in
Bhaaratha.” (Note: according to recent interpreters “Bharatha” means Arjuna, the second in the
order of five Pandavas; actually, Bharatha was the name of the land also called Aryavartha or
Greater India of the ancient derived after the King Bharatha, son of Dasaratha and half-brother of
Rama) of Suryavamsha. Gita 4:8 thus explains the purpose of incarnation: “Parithranaaya
saadhuunam / vinaasaaya cha dushkruthaam / dharmasamsthaapanaardhhaaya / sambhavaami
 12

yuge yuge,” meaning, “I take birth in each and every Yuga to protect the virtuous, to destroy
those who live in immorality and to reestablish morality (dhaarmic way of life). What was the
adharma or immorality during the period of Manu and matsya avatar! “Every time dharma is
threatened Vishnu mounts his eagle, the mighty Garuda and comes to earth ready to battle. The
descending of Vishnu from Vaikunta to earth are his incarnations. The form in each descend is
different because the demands of the world each time are different. The different avatars thus
reinforce the idea that rules and regulations that maintain order are not static by nature. They are
forged when the demands of desire clash with the quest for order. As man's understanding of the
world changes, desires change and so do the concept of order,” Says Hindu expert, Subhamoy
Das.

Incarnation is punctuated according to Yuga, the ratio being one incarnation in one Yuga. Yuga
masters such as Swami Muktananda, Baba Hari Dass, Swami Vishnu Tirtha, are the most
followed Yuga protagonists. The cycles are calculated based on the equinox. Sun crosses the
celestial equator of the earth twice a year on September 22 and March 20, accepting difference of
one day tentatively. The importance is that the day and night are equal on those times and are
called equinox days. 360 human years constitute one deva year. “The length of each cycle is
given in ordinary human (earth) years, as well other units where appropriate. Large numbers are
described using the conventions of American English: thus, a million is a thousand times
thousand, a billion is a thousand million, a trillion is a thousand billion,” says “Hindu theory of
World Cycles.”

A single daytime period in the life of Brahma, the creator god is called Kalpa. 1,000 Maha Yugas
comprise one Kalpa. A kalpa is thus equal to 4.32 billion human years. “The smallest cycle is
called a Maha Yuga. A Maha yuga is 4,320,000 human years. Each Maha Yuga is subdivided
into the following four ages, whose lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1:”

1, Satya Yuga: is also called Krita Yuga and also as Golden Age, which means the age of truth.
This first age is 1,728,000 human years. The qualities of this age are: virtue reigns supreme;
human stature is 21 cubits (18 inches); lifespan is a lakh of years, and death occurs only when
willed.

2, Treta Yuga or Silver Age: This second age is 1,296,000 human years. The qualities of this age
are: the climate is three quarters virtue and one quarter sin; human stature is 14 cubits; lifespan is
10,000 years.

3, Dwapara Yuga or Bronze Age: This third age is 864,000 human years. Virtue and sin are
equal in the Yuga and lifespan is 1,000 years.

4, Kali Yuga or Iron Age: The fourth and last age is 432,000 human years. This is the present age
we live in. The qualities of this age are: the climate is one quarter virtue and three quarters sin;
human stature is 3.5 cubits; lifespan is 100 or 120 years. Baba Hari Das states that creation
disappears at the end of a Maha Yuga. Other sources do not suggest anything so drastic.
 13

Again interestingly “Brahma Kumaris,” a sect within Hinduism reject the traditional calculation
of Yuga; they say each Yuga has 1250 years totaling 5000 years for 4 Yugas.

“The first three avatars which descended on Earth was during the Sat Yuga, the next three in the
Treta Yuga, seventh, eighth and ninth incarnations appeared in the Dwapara Yuga. The tenth
avatar is said to appear in the Kali Yuga,” says “boldsky.com.” The proportion envisaged in
Bhagavath Gita 4:7, that is: ‘one avatar for one Yuga’ is negated here. 1, Matsya Avatar: the
first class of vertebrates; evolved in water during Silurian Period. 2 Koorma amphibious (living
in both water and land; Avatar during Deveonian Period. 3 Varaha Avatar: indicative of
mammals or animals originated in Triassic Period. 4 Narasimha Avatar half-animal and half-
human indicative of emergence of human thoughts and intelligence. 5 Vamana: short,
representing early human beings “As Lord Vishnu stepped over Bali's head, Bali went inside the
earth and was granted moksha,” says “boldsky.com.” 6 Parasurama Avatar: representing the
developing humans and forests dwellers, who employed weapon. 7 Rama Avatar: embarks
community living and the beginning of civil society. (Note: should it mean there was no
community living or civil society before the Rama, the seventh Avatar)? Then, how Manu,
during the first avatar can be called “a king, greater than all other kings”? 8, Balarama Avatar:
enlightenment stage of human development. Balarama is not at all in picture according to certain
sources. They consider Buddha instead of Balarama as the eighth avatar. 9, Krishna Avatar: still
advanced humans who practiced animal husbandry, and evolved political oriented societies. 10,
Kalki Avatar: humans advanced with great powers of destruction. Note (1) some interpreters
displace Buddha instead of Balarama as one of the incarnations of Vishnu representing the age of
enlightenment. Buddha did not believe in God; his religion is atheistic in nature. Vishnu is god,
mentioned second in the order of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva or Maheswar meaning he has power
over Brahma and Vishnu of the god-head. He is responsible for the maintenance and sustenance
of order of the creation. How could a god incarnate propound a philosophy/religion against the
belief in the existence of god? For this reason, the mainstream Hindus do not include Buddha in
the list of ten incarnations. Neither the calculation of Yuga nor the details concerning incarnation
are complete beyond doubts. These are merely esoteric calculations devoid of reality.

Kalki. “Lord Vishnu is believed to have taken on nine incarnations or avatars till now and the
tenth avatar will descend on Earth at the end of the Kali Yuga,” says “boldsky.com.” Present
Yuga is “Kali Yuga” also called “Mahayuga.” 10th and final incarnation of Vishnu is Kalki,
scheduled to appear at the end of the current epoch. Religious texts called the Puranas foretell
that Kalki will be atop a white horse with a drawn blazing sword. He is the harbinger of the end
time in Hindu eschatology, after which he will usher in Satya Yuga.” Note: This delineation fits
well into the expectation of second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as seen in the book of
Revelation, 19:11-16. Kaliyuga started on February 18, 3102 BC. This is the day Krishna
returned to his eternal abode, says Puranas. Thus, 2016 AD or 1181 Kollavarsham is 5107 of
Kaliyuga year.
 14

Incidentally, it may be stated that Hebrew calendar began on October 7, 3761 B.C. Thus 2016
AD in Hebrew Year is 5776. Difference between Puranic Kaliyuga and Hebrew year is 669
years. In other words, Kaliyuga began on the 669th year of Hebrew year. This is another
indication that there was only one group and one language before Aryans broke away from
Hebrews, they moved from Asia Minor (present Turkey) toward east, first settled in Iran and
then moved to many places before finally settling in Indus Gangetic plains which was also called
“Greater India.” Aryans began recording the events after settling in Northern India and count the
time naming it Kaliyuga. Yugas before it represents the time they could not precisely calculate
and relied on imaginations and so it is absolutely incorrect; why I say so, nowhere else in the
world cultures we see such calculations. Secondly it all talks about kings, emperors and Devas as
heroes and Asuras, demons, etc. but not a word about common people and without them there
cannot be kings and rulers. Thirdly, the contradictions among the epics are innumerable, which is
because each author wrote what they thought without a common ground.

Now let the Christians ponder whether or not they should celebrate a festival about which no
one, even the devout Hindu, has any clue, if it is religious or secular, how it originated, what it
stands for, and so on.