With reference to NK Sharma’s reply (DV July 16, 1991 p.21) in reply to my article of Jan. 13, 1989 on Bali. I want to assert that Emperor Bali is as much a historic figure as Buddha, Christ or the Prophet Mohammad. None of them wrote their autobiographies. Buddha was the enlightened one who preached to the world the Path of Life against the exploitation by the Brahmins. He spoke of no god.
If someone had converted the ancient historical monument of King Bali into a Buddhist Temple, and the linear priests later converted it into a temple for their god, Venkata Ramana, Bali does not cease to be a historic figure. Since Buddha never talked about God or called himself one, converting King Bali’s monument into a Buddhist temple is a sacrilege.
Bali Islands:
King Bali ruled India from Mt. Everest to Cape Comorin much before Buddha was born. He had a standing army and navy and his domain extended as far East as the Bali Islands. Mahabalipuram, Bali Patna, Mahabaleshwar, Port Bali in Bengal are named after him. Keralites throughout the world celebrate Bali festival irrespective of caste, creed or religion on the Onam day. Throughout North India on the first day of the moon, called Bali-Pandya in Tulu, everyone celebrates the festival of Bali known as Deepa-Bali. The aboriginal Tulu people in Koala (South Kanara district) mourn for Bali on that day.
Bali-dan:
Bali collected neither chouth nor jizyah from his people, nor did he collect direct or indirect income tax like our present governments. His coffers were always full with the voluntary offerings of his people who loved him. Hence any such sacrificial offering is known as Bali-dan. While the Tulu speakers continue to call him Bali, the strong one, the origins in the Deccan endearingly call him Balaji. The Alwar of the Deccan converted to Vaishnavism call him Venkataraman. The aboriginals called him Timba (Tim in English), the father of Tiru Mala (sacred mountain).
What more historical evidence does Sharma (head father) want about King Bali, the last Emperor of our Parat Kanda (ancient fertile land) now known as Barat?
