Bali Daityaraja Puja
Appearance Day of Sri Rasikananda · Govardhana Puja and Go Puja
Festival
All day
What is Bali Daityaraja Puja in 2027?
Bali Daityaraja Puja, widely known as Bali Pratipada, is the day Vaishnavas honour Bali Maharaja. Though he was king of the daityas, he gave up everything for Lord Vamanadeva. In 2027 the day falls on Saturday, 30 October.
Significance
Lord Vamana took the universe in two steps, and Bali Maharaja was bound with the ropes of Varuna. Even then he spoke humbly, more afraid of breaking his word than of any punishment. Srila Prabhupada translates his words in the Srimad-Bhagavatam:
I do not fear being deprived of all my possessions, living in hellish life, being arrested for poverty by the ropes of Varuṇa or being punished by You as much as I fear defamation.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.22.3
Bali's grandfather Prahlada Maharaja then appeared in the assembly. The Lord blessed Bali and told him to live in Sutala, a place the Lord Himself protects.
How to observe it
Hear the pastime in the Eighth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, chapters 15 to 23, and pray for a surrender as steady as Bali Maharaja's. Keep your word, give without pride and share prasadam. The calendar also lists Go Puja, Govardhana Puja and the appearance day of Sri Rasikananda on this day.
Questions
What date is Bali Pratipada (Bali Daityaraja Puja) in 2027?
Bali Pratipada, or Bali Daityaraja Puja, falls on Saturday, 30 October 2027.
What does daityaraja mean?
Daityaraja means king of the daityas, the demonic dynasty Bali Maharaja belonged to. Even so, the Srimad-Bhagavatam calls him famous for devotional service.
Why did Bali Maharaja fear defamation more than punishment?
He had given his word to Lord Vamana, and he feared that failing to keep it would disgrace him. So he asked the Lord to place His third step on his head.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Saturday, 30 October 2027
- Also on this day
- Appearance Day of Sri Rasikananda · Govardhana Puja and Go Puja
- Place granted
- Sutala, protected by the Lord
- Spoken by
- Bali Maharaja to Lord Vamanadeva
Seva for this day
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