Reading Notes Part B: Gleanings from Indian Classics Tales

The Danava King
Part B of the gleanings consisted of five different stories; however, I decided to focus on one story in particular. This story illustrated how the good versus evil spectrum in both the celestial and earthly realm were out of kilter. Why were things out of kilter? A demon king, Bali had come to reign over the earth and almost all of the heavens. Most demons were vicious and wicked; however, Bali was wicked in a seductive and enticing manner. Bali drew people to him by granting and honoring favors. He possessed so much power and adoration by the people and even the most powerful gods and goddesses that he exhausted his time posing as a charitable and kind king. I want to utilized this aspect in my storytelling this week. I like the idea of plot twist and shocking the reader, for I was really surprised to find out that the Danava king was good. Many men and women worshiped Bali over the usual gods. His reign was so powerful, yet concerning, that the great Godk, the Preserver had to be reincarnated from his celestial form and implanted in the womb of a Rishi wife to walk among the earthly. This reminded me of the story in the bible about Gabriel visiting Mary and telling her that she was with child. After this visit, Mary was impregnated with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. God had to send the Savior in a fleshly, mundane appearance.

Indra meeting Bali. Commons Wikimedia.

Bibliography: Dutt, Manmatha Nath. Gleanings from Indian Classics: Tales. 1893

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