Kerala – Gods Own Country, could be true.

This blog is an attempt to link Kerala to the Dasavatharam (The ten incarnations of Maha Vishnu and not Kamal Hassan’s movie). This is not to comment on the experience am having or what Kerala truly is.

I was reading about the Dasavatharam on the net and found some literature which got me really inquisitive and hence want to share the same.(assuming what was written in the article and what am going to spell out from the article is accurate)

To begin lets look at the avatar – Parashurama – Parashurama is the sixth avatar of Vishnu and a son of Jamadagni. He received an axe after doing penance for Shiva. We know that Parasurama killed the entire clan of Kaartaveerya-arjuna, when the king initially wanted the divine cow from Jamadagni and on refusal a coup was tried to get the cow and Parashurama kills the king and the army. On which the prince kills Jamadagni and in return Parashurama ends the clan. According to one legend, the story goes on that Parashurama was struck by remorse at his wanton killings, and offered penance on a mountain top. The sea god Varuna responded, and offered him land equal to the distance he could throw his axe. Parasurama threw his axe from Gokarnam and it fell at Kanyakumari. As promised the sea gave way to land, thus giving rise to Kerala. Interesting isn’t it and is that why the state is referred to as Gods Own Country ?

Let’s now go back to the previous Avatar – Vamana – Vamana is the Fifth Avatar of Vishnu, a dwarf Brahmin. He is also known as Upendra. He defeats the Devas' (Gods') enemy Maha Bali Chakravarthi (of the demon race) into giving up all of the heavens and earth. We also know that the third step he takes from the granted wish Vamana gets, he places his feet over the head of the king thus defeating him. Vamana then took on the form of Mahavishnu. He was pleased by King Bali's determination and ability to keep his promise in the face of his spiritual master's curse and the prospect of losing all his wealth. Vishnu named the King Mahabali since he was a Mahatma (great soul). He allowed Mahabali to return to the spiritual sky to associate with Prahalada (the demoniac Hiranyashipu's pious son, also a descendant of the demon race) and other divine beings. Mahavishnu also declared that Mahabali would be able to rule the universe in the following yuga (age).

According to one legend, Bali is supposed to return every year to the land of his people, to ensure that they are prosperous. This is celebrated as the Onam festival in Kerala, where he is also called Maveli. – Wow, isn’t it – is this why the state is called Gods Own Country ?

If we reflect on this literature and believe it be accurate, then a sense of déjà vu really beckons to look at

'Kerala being Gods Own Country'.