Festival of Diwali

 

Lord Rama and Sita Devi

Festival of Diwali or Deepavali refers to a row of lamps,  which symbolises victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Diwali is a five-day festival and the third day, Chaturdashi also called as Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated is the most important day. The Hindu scriptures mention that on this day, the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna accompanied by his wife Satyabhama.

It is also said that on the day of Diwali, Lord Krishna as a baby boy performed the Damodhara Lila of mother Yashoda tying him to a grinding stone and Krishna than dragged the grinding mortar with him to pulldown the two gigantic trees in his backyard, delivering the two sons of Kubera, Manigriva and Nala Kubera who were cursed by Narada Rishi and standing as trees. Of course, before all this there was an amazing pastime of Lord Krishna breaking the pots of butter, yogurt, throwing them everywhere, feeding the monkeys. And then he started running away like a child in fear of mother Yashoda who was chasing him with a stick in her hand. Queen Kunti explains that this pastime is unconceivable to her because, the person whom by seeing even the fear personified becomes fearful the Yogis and Jnanis trying to catch him with their practice of Yoga, Pranayama and knowledge and unable to do so, such a person is running away in fear. And, when Krishna seeing his mother is getting tired, finally allows himself caught by her. The pastime continues, when Mother Yashoda tries to tie baby Krishna with a rope, it was short by two fingers. And, she added more and more rope from the neighborhood. And, seeing her determination Lord Krishna again, allows himself from abdomen to be tied to the grinding stone. The Acharyas explain that the two fingers signify, devotee’s determination and the Lords Mercy. 

Sri Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman

It is also mentioned in the scriptures that Diwali is the day, when Lord Ramachandra along with Lakshman, Sita Mata, Hanuman returned to his Kingdom of Ayodhya. The people welcomed Lord by lighting up their houses with lamps.

On this Auspicious day, may Lord Rama with his immense strength and fierce arrows, who in a moment (40 mins) killed 14,000 Rakshsas (race of unrighteous beings) in the forest of Dandakarunya may kill those demons sitting in our hearts in the form of Lust, anger, greed, jealousy, hatred etc. and bring all auspiciousness in to our lives.  Happy Diwali to you ☺…

Happy Diwali and The Five Days of Deepavali

Happy Diwali, one of my friends at work greeted me this morning. Happy Diwali to you too, it is Diwali today?  I asked him, thinking of my past memories of Diwali in India. No, actually today is Dhan Teras, tomorrow is Chota Diwali and day after i,e 19th Oct  is the actual Diwali day" my friend replied.

So how many days, Diwali is celebrated and what is the significance of each day? I tried to recollect my thought and after quick surfing of the net, came up with the following.

Diwali or Deepawali, means a row of lamps. The custom of decorating the houses with row of lamps, candles or electric bulbs these days originated from the times of yore. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama Chandra back to the kingdom by decorating their houses with lamps. It’s a time of celebration, joy, marks victory of good over evil like, Lord Rama killing Ravana.

But, this is only one day. What about the rest of the four days? Read on...

 

Diwali Lamps

Diwali Crackers

The First Day of Diwali: -

Called as Dhan Teras or Dhanvantari Tryodasi, this is the day when Lord Dhanvantari an avatar of Lord Vishnu appeared from churning of the Ocean, carrying a pot of Amruta or the celestial Elixir of life and Ayurvedic medicine for mankind. This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. At sunset, Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps along with sanctified food to Yamaraja, the Lord of Death, and pray for protection from untimely death.

The Second Day of Diwali:-

Also, called as the Chota Diwali or Naraka Chaturdasi. On this day Lord Krishna along with his queen Satyabhama fought and killed the demon Narakasura, liberating the 16,000 princesses the demon held as captive.

The Third Day - the Actual Diwali day:-

Commonly known as the Hindu New Year, especially for the business man, merchants etc. New, Accounts and ledger books are marked with sacred symbol of AUM or Swastika with turmeric, placed alongside the photos of Ganesh and Lakshmi Devi and worshipped. Basically, new Account books are started on this day. The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to receive blessings of wealth, prosperity. This also the day in Treta Yuga Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, having successfully rescued Sita and killing the demon Ravana asura.

The Fourth Day of Diwali:-

This is the day when Govardhana Puja is celebrated in Vrindavan, Mathura, by Vaishnava’s all around India and world. Govardhana Puja is worship of the great mountain Goverdhana, a harvest festival which was started around five thousand years ago by Lord Krishna. 

It is also called Vishwakarma Day, when workman, tradies worship their instruments, arms and machinery.Hmm. can’t remember but, I think this was the day my grandfather used to take out his revolver (which was licensed of course) and worship it, fire one bullet in the air and put is back somewhere hidden safe.

The Fifth Day of Diwali:-

Diwali Cracker

Called as Bhratri Dooj is a day dedicated to sisters. Just like Raksha Bandhan,a brother's day, this is a sister's day. It is mentioned in the puranas that after twelve years, Yamaraja the Lord of Death, visited His sister river Yamuna Devi on this day. He gave Yamuna a boon that whoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins; they will achieve moksha, liberation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to inquire about their welfare, and many faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Yamuna River. Thus, this day is known for the sister's praying for their brother's safety, success and well-being.

This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.

OK, all that I can remember about Diwali in India, when I was a kid is burning the fire crackers, sparklers, rockets etc. Some temporary shops would be setup a week or ten day before the festival. Myself with friends would visit these shops every day, buying some stuff with our pocket money until the Big day, when accompanied by my father would visit the shop and make the big sale that includes all the varieties of toy crackers, sparklers, rockets, flower pots to be burnt on the Diwali day as a part of celebration.

I know, its a waste of money, not safe for environment, pets etc, but compared to what is being done today, it was still on a low scale and not so much hype and also, not so costly.

Diwali - Festival of Lights 2016

Diwali or Deepavali is a Hindu festival of lights observed on the 15th day of the month of Kartik. On this day,Lord Rama-Chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of Lord Vishnu). returned to his Ayodhya after 14 years of exile during which he killed numerous demons and finally destroyed the king of demons called Ravana in a fierce battle that lasted for seven days.So, on the day of arrival of Lord Rama,People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil and welcome their beloved Prince.

Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman 

Giri Govardhan made of sweets - Iskcon Melbourne

Thus, Diwali is a festival that marks the victory of good over evil.

A Novel way to light up Fire Crackers

Also,a day before Diwali there is a celebration called Naraka Chaturdashi. It is the day, when Lord Krishna killed another demon called as Narakasura. Diwali is also a time of worship of Lakshmi devi. Business man start new books and accounts on this day and its like a new financial year for them. Anyway, the fun part for both kids and adults alike is the exploding the fire crackers, sparklers and other numerous fireworks. The chivalry of people is tested on this day by their ability to go and light-up the Diwali crackers or bombs that make a loud noise and explode made especially for the occasion. And, we have and heard so many funny stories of people trying to light up these bombs but too scared etc. I even saw a you tube video of a person trying to light-up a small bomb, tries a number of time.The trick is to light up the sparky thread at one end of the bomb and should get back to a safe distance within seconds before it explodes. Finally, this poor fellow in his final attempt, thinking that he had definitely lit the bomb, runs back wards for safety with all his might and out of nervousness falls flat on the concrete road and had scratches all over his arms and legs and of course, the bomb never blew. Sometimes, more serious accidents also happens and that’s all the part of the package.

Anyway, in Melbourne we had over share of Diwali in the local Iskcon temple.Kids had some fun, lighting up sparklers etc.There was worship and prayers offered to Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita Devi and Hanuman. And, on the next day we celebrated the Goverdhan Puja by going around  the replica of Govardhan mountain made of varieties of sweets followed by a sumptuous feast and of course the sweets.

Traditionally,in India the festival of Diwali is celebrated for five days:-

Giri Govardhan made of sweets - Iskcon Melbourne

Diwali Rangoli

The First Day of Diwali called Dhanvantari Trayodasi, also called as Dhantheras. It is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh (the dark fortnight) of the month of Kartika. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared, delivering Ayurvedic medicine for mankind.This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps with prasada (sanctified food) to Yamaraja (the Lord of Death) and pray for protection from untimely death.

The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika and the eve of Diwali. On this day, Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 princesses which the demon held captive.

The Third Day of Diwali (actual Diwali) is the day, when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, and triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. This is also the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya.

The Fourth Day of Diwali is the day, Govardhana Puja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to worship this sacred hill.

From then on, every year, Hindus worship Govardhan to honor that first Puja done by the people of Vraja. Also, Bagavatham explains that Bali Maharaja was defeated on this day by Lord Krishna’s dwarf brahmana incarnation called as Vamanadeva.

The Fifth Day of Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day dedicated to sisters. Just like Raksha Bandhan (brothers’ day), this is a sisters’ day. It was said that, after the fight with Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire their welfare.This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.

Some thoughts on Celebrating Diwali

Diwali Lamps

Depavali or Diwali signifies the victory of good over, evil. Our scripture say that, this is the day when Lord Rama with Mother Sita, returned to Ayodhya.

Also, this is the day when Lord Krishna with his wife Satyabhama, killed Narakasura, who was a powerful demon.

It is said that in Satya Yuga - the Age of truth, demons lived in different worlds.

In treta Yuga, they lived in the same world as Human beings but, different kingdoms or countries. Lord Rama and Ravana.

In Dwapara Yuga, they started appearing within the same families. Pandavas and Kauravas.

Lo and behold, In Kali Yuga which is now both demons and demigods (qualities) reside within the same person.

Diwali Fireworks

On this auspicious Diwali day, let us drive out the demons hiding within us, with a lamp of purity and knowledge.

Most people clean their houses and remove the clutter from their homes. Let us remove all the dirtiness like, Hatred, intolerance, injustice from our hearts.

Today Most people pray to Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. Let us not be like Ravana, who wanted to enjoy Sita separately from Lord Rama.

Let us pray to the Supreme Lord to kill all those demons, Ravana, Narakasura,Banasura (a friend of Narakasura)and many more, seen and unseen hiding in our hearts.

Let us all celebrate a wonderful Diwali by cleaning our hearts to get rid of Lust, Anger, Greed and replace them with qualities like, Happiness, joy and love.

asato ma sadgamaya

tamaso ma jyotirgamaya

mrtyorma amrtam gamaya

Lead me from the asat (unreal) to the sat(real)

Lead me from darkness to light

Lead me from death to immortality

(Brhadaranyaka Upanishad).