Teacher Shukra
Sanskrit shukra (bright, clear) + acharya (teacher).
The sage who is the guru and priest of the asuras and is linked with the planet Venus. In the Vamana story he warns Bali not to grant the gift.
Kerala's grandest festival marks the yearly homecoming of King Mahabali, the generous asura ruler whom Vishnu as Vamana sent below, yet let return each year.
Rooted in Rigveda 7.59.12, the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is tied by Puranic tradition to young Markandeya, whose surrender to Shiva overcame Yama's noose.
Vamana's three paces and King Bali's kept promise as the Bhagavata Purana tells it, and how Kerala's Onam tradition tells Mahabali's yearly return.
The glorious story from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana of Lord Vishnu turning onto His side in Yoga Nidra and the advent of Vamana Avatar liberating King Bali in Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha.