We Can Create a World Like Mahabali's

Excerpts from Amma's 2005 Onam Message

15 September 2005 -- Amritapuri

There is a saying in Malayalam: Maveli nadu vaneedam kaalam manushar ellavarum onnu pole. ["During the time when Mahabali ruled, everybody lived as one."] The rule of Mahabali is seen as a beautiful example of good governance. We need to understand what is meant by saying "Everybody lived as one." Does it mean that all the subjects had the same weight, the same height, the same talents, the same intellectual capacity, the same strength? No, such a thing can never happen. In God's creation, not even two blades of grass are the same, much less two human beings, the most evolved in God's creation. In Mahabali's time, all the citizens were steadfast in dharma. There was no stealing, no cheating or betrayal of trust, not even a trace of lying—this is what is meant by, "Everyone lived as one." When a ruler and people are living dharmic lives, then everything in the three worlds becomes their own.

But in such circumstances, there comes the opportunity for the ego--the sense of "I" and "mine"--to slowly raise its head. It is this ego that led kings like Duryodhana, Kamsa and Jarasandha to destruction. All other negativities can be removed by one's earnest effort. But to remove the ego, one needs to bow one's head down before a Guru. The attitude and feeling of "I" must go.

To remove the disciple's sense of "I" and "mine" and bestow immortality, God himself assumes a human form and comes down to Earth. That is why it is said that Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a brahmachari called Vamana and approached Mahabali. Though being the supreme ruler of all the worlds and the greatest master, Lord Vishnu came to Mahabali as a poor student asking for alms. Real Gurus are always exemplars of humility and self-sacrifice.

Mahabali thought that the Earth, the heavens and the netherworlds were all in his control. He believed that he had the power to give anything to anyone. But he could not even give three steps of land to Vamana. The heart that is obscured by the clouds of ego cannot see the sun of knowledge. The wind of the Guru's grace has to blow the clouds away.

Even though we know that the ego is so dangerous, why are we not able to renounce it? Because the ego always appears to us as our trustworthy protector. Just as a thief may approach us as a friend and then steal all of our wealth without our knowledge, so too the ego steals our happiness and contentment. Appearing as if it is trying to protect us, it takes us prisoner. Only the Guru can awaken us from the sleep of the ego.

It is said that Mahabali comes on the day of Onam to visit his subjects. This also means that, at least on the day of Onam, he wishes to see everybody leading a dharmic life. Sharing our possessions with others--this is the spirit behind the Onam celebrations.

When we see something wrong, we immediately pass a mental judgment. We may even get ready to punish the person. But we should try to understand the circumstances that made the person do the wrong thing. If we are able to do that, there will always be compassion within us. We have a duty towards society. We are always thinking about our rights but forget our responsibilities.

It is because we have the faith that on the day of Onam that the Lord will visit us to share our feast that we first serve food on a banana leaf and keep it near the lamp, offering it to the Lord. All that we consider as our own will be taken by time. Whatever we give, considering it as the Lord's, will be returned to us many times over.

Pookkalams [the flower-petal decorations for Onam] represent the unity of hearts. The unity of hearts is the beauty of society. Each flower has a beauty of its own, but when they come together their beauty multiplies. This is the true celebration of Onam. May all our actions be an offering to the Lord. The real devotee is concerned with the happiness of others, not of himself. He does not desire anything. Let the flowers that we have used to make pookkalams to welcome the Lord be the flowers of love and compassion. May the new clothes that we wear on Onam be the resolve to lead life with an understanding of dharma and the remembrance of the Lord. May the different games and dances in which we participate during the Onam season make us happy and others happy as well. Just as we forget the differences of caste and religion while taking part in such festivities, may the spirit of brotherhood always reside within us. In that way, let us become united, full of love and bliss, and go beyond all differences and become one at heart.

You may wonder if the kingdom of Mahabali ever existed, or if there ever was such a ruler. Even for someone to have imagined such a world--a world without theft, cheating or gossip, where everyone lived as one--is in itself a miracle. If you all are determined, you can create such a world. We can put an end to looting, killing, cheating and other forms of violence. Our world has enough resources to do so, but we are not using them correctly.

Amma feels that there may be people in the remote villages of Kerala who even today, on Onam, are going without eating one single meal. Let them also receive food and not starve--this is Amma's desire. As there still are starving people in the world, you must cultivate an attitude to serve them. Amma believes that her children will come forward to help others. Let there be love, affection and service in your words, thoughts and actions. May you become the light of the world. May grace protect you all. With this prayer, Amma offers her words to the Paramatman.

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