- The Tale of Bali Maharaj and the Light of Tihar
- Long ago, when gods and demons still walked among men, there lived a mighty and righteous king named Bali Maharaj — grandson of Prahlad, the great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Though born in the line of the Daityas (demons), Bali was known far and wide for his kind heart, truthfulness, and unwavering generosity.
- Under Bali’s rule, peace reigned. His subjects never went hungry; no one wept in injustice. The rivers glistened, and lamps burned bright even at night — for prosperity had blessed every home.
- But as his power grew, so did his fame — until even the Devas (gods) feared that the throne of heaven itself might fall into his hands. Bali’s devotion to righteousness, not war, made him even more powerful — for no weapon could defeat a heart filled with truth and dharma.
- Alarmed, the gods prayed to Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the universe. And so, Vishnu took the form of a humble Brahmin boy — Vamana, the Dwarf Incarnation — and came to Bali’s grand Yajna (sacrifice).
- The Three Steps of Vamana
- As the incense filled the air and priests chanted sacred mantras, the little Brahmin approached the mighty king and bowed.
- “O King of the Three Worlds,” Vamana said softly,
- “I seek only a small gift — three paces of land, measured by my own steps.”
- The court fell silent. Bali’s ministers laughed.
- “What land could a dwarf cover in three steps?” they whispered.
- Smiling, Bali poured water into the boy’s hands to seal his promise — for a king’s word was sacred.
- In that instant, the dwarf began to grow and grow, until his head brushed the heavens and his feet touched the earth.
- With his first step, he covered the earth.
- With his second, he spanned the heavens.
- Then he turned to Bali and asked:
- “Where shall I place my third step, O King, when nothing remains?”
- Bali folded his hands and bowed.
- “Place it upon my head, Lord,” he said, “for I have nothing left but my devotion.”
- Vishnu, pleased with Bali’s humility, placed his foot upon the king’s head — pressing him gently into the netherworld (Pātāl Lok). But before leaving, the Lord blessed him:
- “O noble Bali, for your faith and generosity, I grant you this boon:
- Once a year, during the festival of lights, you may return to the earth and visit your people.
- On that night, lamps will be lit in every home to guide you, and your people will welcome you with joy.”
- The Return of Bali — Tihar in Nepal
- And so, once every year, during Tihar (Deepawali), the earth glows with countless diyo (oil lamps) — for it is said that Bali Maharaj returns to see his kingdom once more, to bless those who live with truth, generosity, and devotion.
- On Gobardhan Puja — the fourth day of Tihar — people in Nepal prepare Govardhan / Mha Puja, decorate their homes, and light lamps to honor both Lord Vishnu and Bali Maharaj’s spirit. The bright diyos are said to guide the King’s soul as he visits the earth.
- That night, the goddess of prosperity, Laxmi, also walks the earth, blessing every clean and welcoming home. Together, Laxmi’s abundance and Bali’s humility remind people that true wealth lies in the light of the heart, not the gold of the hand.
- Moral of the Legend
- Thus, in Nepali tradition, Tihar celebrates:
- The triumph of humility over pride (Bali’s surrender)
- The return of prosperity and light
- The renewal of relationships — between humans, animals, gods, and ancestors
- Every flickering lamp, every garland of marigolds, and every song of Deusi-Bhailo honors that eternal truth:
- “Giving shines brighter than taking,
- and the humblest heart can hold the light of the universe.”