ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bael (demon)

Okay kiddo, so have you ever heard of a storybook or a fairy tale where there are good guys and bad guys? Well, just like those stories, there is a character in Indian mythology called bael who is considered as a bad guy or a demon.

Bael is said to be a very powerful demon who was the son of a famous demon king called Hiranyakashipu. When Hiranyakashipu was killed by a powerful god named Vishnu, bael was very angry and wanted to take revenge. He got together with some other demons and began to create chaos and destroy everything in their path.

Bael is said to have a very scary appearance with a fierce face and horns on his head. He is known to be very strong and evil, and people used to be very afraid of him.

But, you know what kiddo? In Indian mythology, even the bad guys can sometimes turn good. There is a story where bael has a change of heart and becomes a loyal follower of the god Shiva. He begins to devote his life to Shiva and helps him in various tasks.

So, even though bael is a scary demon, his story teaches us that people can change and become better. And that's an important lesson for all of us, isn't it?