The Great Balance (also known as the Great Balance of Kaminar) was a belief in Kelpien culture that was oriented toward death and the role the Ba'ul play in it. It was imposed by the Ba'ul unto the Kelpien as their central, organizing truth. The philosophy was designed to prevent any Kelpien from evolving into their post-vahar'ai predatory form. Under this doctrine, the Kelpiens were led to believe that they were required to offer themselves for ritual sacrifice when they reached vahar'ai, so as to preserve Kaminar's ecosystem.

History[]

In 2257, Commander Saru of the USS Discovery underwent vahar'ai and learned that the Great Balance was a lie perpetuated by the Ba'ul. When the Discovery went to Kaminar following the red bursts from the Red Angel, the Ba'ul became aware that Saru had undergone vahar'ai and captured him and his sister, Siranna. The Ba'ul intended to neutralize them both to preserve the Great Balance. However, Saru broke free of his restraints and commandeered the Ba'ul's technology to broadcast a signal, derived from the Sphere, that triggered vahar'ai across all the Kelpiens on the planet.

Now on the verge of losing control of the Kelpiens, the Ba'ul activated their pylon network in an attempt to exterminate the entire Kelpien population. They feared the Kelpiens would seek revenge. The Red Angel soon arrived and disabled their technology with an immense electromagnetic pulse. In the aftermath of this event, Saru and Siranna were resolute that the Kelpiens would find a way to coexist with the Ba'ul proposing a new, true balance which Starfleet offered to help negotiate that balance. (DSC episodes: "An Obol for Charon", "The Sound of Thunder")