Why is Bali a chiranjeevi?

September 23 2025, 8 min reading time

Why is Bali a Chiranjeevi? Is Bali a worthy candidate for Chiranjeevi? Why are all the Chiranjeevis so valueable, powerful and auspicious? Know more here.

Why is Bali a Chiranjeevi?

When we hear the word immortal, the first thought that comes to mind is someone who never dies, someone untouched by time. In Indian mythology, however, immortality or Chiranjeevitva is much more than just living forever.

It is about being remembered, honored and carrying forward a purpose that transcends lifetimes. One of the most fascinating figures to be called a Chiranjeevi is King Bali, also known as Mahabali.

Unlike many rulers who are remembered for their wars and conquests, Bali is remembered for his generosity, humility and the extraordinary way in which he surrendered to the divine.

His story is not just about a mythical king sent to the netherworld as it is about why his spirit continues to be celebrated even today especially in the festival of Onam. But what really makes Bali immortal in the truest sense? Let’s unravel the story behind this unique title.

What is the unraveled story of Bali, the Chiranjeevi?

When we hear the name Bali or Mahabali, most of us immediately think of the Onam celebrations in Kerala, where people joyfully welcome their beloved king. But behind the colorful festivities lies a deeper, often less-discussed story of why Bali is called a Chiranjeevi, an immortal being.

Bali was no ordinary king. Though he was born into the Asura lineage, he ruled with fairness, humility and a sense of justice that made his reign one of prosperity and equality.

Unlike rulers who let power cloud their judgment, Bali believed in giving and sharing without hesitation. His most famous encounter came during the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu, when he promised to grant the dwarf Brahmin’s wish for three steps of land.

What unfolded next was no less than cosmic drama as Vamana grew to cover the universe in just two strides, leaving no room for the third. And instead of backing away from his word, Bali bowed his head and offered it for the Lord’s final step.

This act of surrender, of keeping his promise even when it cost him everything, is what elevated Bali from a mere king to a timeless figure of reverence.

The “unraveled” part of Bali’s story is that his so-called downfall was not a punishment but a pathway to immortality. Lord Vishnu, moved by Bali’s humility, blessed him to be a Chiranjeevi, granting him eternal life and rulership over Patala, the netherworld.

But the blessing did not end there as he was also given the privilege to visit his people once a year, a promise that is cherished in the form of Onam. In a way, Bali’s immortality is not just about living forever in some hidden realm; it is about living forever in memory and devotion.

His people continue to remember him not because of his might but because of his integrity, generosity, and devotion to truth. That is the real, unraveled story of Bali as the Chiranjeevi who proved that true immortality comes not through power or wealth but through values so profound that they outlive time itself.

Why is Bali considered as the king who shook the heavens?

Bali is often remembered as the king who “shook the heavens” because his power and influence were not limited to his earthly kingdom. Through penance, strength, and unmatched generosity, he grew so mighty that even the gods began to feel overshadowed.

Unlike many rulers who only aspired to conquer neighboring lands, Bali’s authority extended to the heavens themselves, challenging the supremacy of the Devas.

Scriptures describe that under his reign, prosperity flourished and no one in his kingdom was left wanting. This rise in power made the gods themselves uneasy, for it hinted at a cosmic imbalance as an Asura king ruling in such a just and grand manner that the heavens trembled at his might.

It was not brute force alone that shook the heavens but the rare combination of his valor, wisdom, and justice that made him nearly invincible.

What makes Bali’s story striking is that his ambition was never rooted in tyranny or cruelty, unlike the usual portrayal of Asura kings. Instead, his sense of dharma and generosity made him a ruler beloved by his people and respected by sages.

But when his conquests extended to realms traditionally guarded by the gods, it symbolically represented a shift of power so profound that the heavens themselves were unsettled.

In a way, Bali “shook the heavens” not just through physical dominance but through moral authority as proving that righteousness and strength, even when embodied by an Asura, could challenge celestial order.

His reign stands as a reminder that true power lies not only in armies or wealth but in the ability to rule with justice so profound that even the divine realm must take notice.

What is the aspect of Vamana Avatar?

The Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu is one of the most meaningful stories in Indian mythology, especially when seen in relation to King Bali. Unlike other avatars where Lord Vishnu appeared in grand or fierce forms, here he chose to take the humble shape of a dwarf Brahmin boy.

This choice itself reflects a deep message as divinity does not always reveal itself in grandeur but often in simplicity and subtlety.

Through Vamana, Lord Vishnu did not defeat Bali in battle or by force. Instead, he tested the king’s character through a simple request for land measured in “three steps.” This encounter shows that the purpose of the avatar was not to destroy Bali, but to gently remind him and the world, about the limits of human pride and the power of surrender before the divine.

For Bali, the Vamana Avatar became a turning point. Though he was a mighty king ruling with prosperity and fairness, his growing ambition had started tilting the balance of power in the universe.

When Vamana expanded to cosmic proportions, covering earth and heaven in just two steps, Bali realized that no earthly possession could ever truly belong to him. In that moment, by offering his own head for the third step, he displayed ultimate humility and devotion.

Far from humiliating him, this act elevated Bali to a higher spiritual plane, earning him Lord Vishnu’s blessing of immortality. Thus, the Vamana Avatar, with respect to Bali, is not just about curbing his power as it is about revealing his greatness through surrender, making him one of the most celebrated Chiranjeevis in Indian tradition.

What is the boon that became a blessing in Bali’s story?

In a moment of breathtaking humility and awe, King Bali realized he was witnessing the divine play of Lord Vishnu himself, and without a shred of resentment, he bowed his head and offered the only thing left in his possession as his own head for Lord Vishnu's third step.

Accepting this ultimate surrender, Lord Vishnu placed his foot upon Bali, pushing him down into the netherworld, Patala Loka, thereby restoring the universe to the Devas yet, far from being an end, this act revealed Bali's true greatness.

So profoundly moved was Lord Vishnu by Bali's unwavering integrity and his humble acceptance of total defeat that he granted the king two monumental boons, first, sovereignty over the glorious and wealthy netherworld, ensuring his rule continued and second, the gift of immortality, decreeing that Bali would remain a living Chiranjeevi until the end of the cosmic cycle.

Furthermore, in an astonishing display of grace, Lord Vishnu promised to serve as the eternal guardian of Bali's new abode, a role that bestowed upon him the name Baikunthanathan, forever binding the preserver god to the virtuous demon king he had conquered.

Therefore, Bali’s immortality is far more than a simple reward as it stands as a powerful symbol, for he earned his eternal status not by cheating death but by embodying a virtue so profound it needed to be preserved for all time as the unbreakable integrity of keeping one’s word, no matter the personal cost.

He serves as a perpetual reminder that true strength is found in humility and integrity, as his dignity in defeat earned him a place higher than most victors that devotion is ultimately about surrender, not out of weakness, but to a higher truth and that the universe rewards righteousness, blurring the line between ‘demon’ and ‘deva’ to teach us that character, not birth, defines one's greatness.

This enduring legacy is vibrantly celebrated during the festival of Onam in Kerala, where it is believed King Bali is granted annual permission to visit his beloved earthly kingdom, welcomed with flower carpets, feasts and joy, a testament to a king so noble that his spirit and story and the lesson that a promise kept is the most powerful magic of all, truly never died.

Written by: Nikita, Article and Content Writer, Editor, Strategist at Rudraksha Hub

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