Chaturmas - Bali and Vaman Avatar

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Now, finally coming to the question – let’s find out what chaturmas is. Chaturmas begins in the month of Asada (june-july) from the day of Ekadasi in the fortnight of the waxing moon and ends in the month of Karthika (oct-nov) on Ekadasi. It’s a period of 4 months which is rainy season in India.

Let’s get to know the mythological story behind ‘Chaturmas’. King of Gods, Indra became so arrogant with power and forgot the importance of penance. Bali – Asura king on the other hand felt that he had to purify himself and did intense penance. As a result Daityas (Asuras) superceded Devas and Indra was dethroned.

Indra approached Vishnu and sought His Grace. Lord took the form of Vamana and visited Bali Chakravarthi who was performing Yagna seeking alms. He asked for land enough to cover three steps. Bali laughed and said he could give more and so requested Vamana to ask for more. But Vamana stuck to his wish. Bali agreed and Vamana covered earth in first and heavens in his second step and asked Bali as to where he should place his third step.

Bali immediately understood that Vamana was none other than Lord Vishnu and hence Bali asked Lord to place His feet on his head. Lord agreed and pushed Bali into the nether world (Pathala loka).

But, nonetheless Lord Vishnu was happy with Bali as he had followed Dharma being fully aware of the consequences of granting Vamana’s wish and hence asked him to seek a boon and Bali requested Lord along with his consort Goddess Lakshmi to come and stay with him 1/3^rd of the year. Vishnu agreed and hence during this period Lord is considered asleep.

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