Hari Aum.
A very happy Janmashtami in advance -- this year the date falls on August 30 as per the lunar calendar. In celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday, the four books that I wrote on the life of Krishna as told in the Bhagavatam will be available for free download from Amazon (as is the case on this day every year).
The free Kindle app will be needed to read the books on one's electronic device. The books will be available for free download from August 27 to August 31 (from midnight PDT onwards).
Hope you enjoy the books. The link to the Amazon page from where they can be downloaded is below:
https://www.amazon.com/Vishnupriya-Devi/e/B07B95YQCV/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Just to mention, I am in the process of writing a book on the Vamana avatara as described in the Bhagavatam. I started it last year but the pandemic and other stuff got in the way-- I have taken this up again and hope to complete it sooner rather than later. I hope to publish it on Amazon kindle once it is done.
Also, a very happy Onam to all. My roots are in Kerala (although I've never lived there for any length of time; only visited during holidays) and Onam is celebrated by many of my family members. It is the day that celebrates the blessing of Bali by the Vamana avatar.
The story of the King Bali and the Vamana avatara of Narayana is told in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Sadly some people have come up with their own rather bizarre versions of this lila of Narayana. Their version is exactly the opposite of the ancient original version described in the centuries old Bhagavatam. In their modern version (possibly inspired by a desire to create division between various sections of society), they say that Narayana deprives Bali of his property--- whereas the description in the Bhagavatam is precisely the reverse.
The story begins with the demon king Bali depriving the demi-gods and others of their property. Despite these ignoble deeds, his love of truth is extraordinary and at odds with the values of the demon clan to which he belongs. Narayana appears as the Vamana avatar and successfully restores the property stolen by Bali to the rightful owners.
However, as Bali demonstrates tremendous courage and nobility in adhering to the truth at all costs, Narayana blesses Bali with an even more beautiful kingdom and riches than the property he gave up. Not only this, He blesses him with spiritual wisdom and says He will personally always protect him. Bali therefore gives everything to Narayana only to receive far more than he could ever have imagined in return.
It is an extremely beautiful and inspiring story with a happy ending. It shows the love of God towards those who adhere to righteousness or dharma/truth at any cost.
Happy Onam everyone!
Victory to Lord Vamana and to King Bali!
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
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