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Diwali / Deepavali
The history of Diwali is replete with legends and these
legends are moored to the stories of Hindu religious scriptures, mostly the
Puranas. Though the central theme of all legends point out to the classic
truth of the victory of the good over the evils, the mode of their
presentation and the characters differ. Diwali, being the festival of
lights, lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to understand and
reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities
and to bring those thoughts in to the day to day lives.
The five day of Diwali
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari
Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. The second day of Diwali is called Narak
Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight
of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna
destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. The third
day of Diwali is the actual Diwali. This is the day when worship for Mother
Lakshmi is performed. On the fourth day of Diwali, Goverdhan Pooja is
performed. The fifth day of the diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day
dedicated to sisters.
Hindu Mythology
The Story of Rama and Sita: Lord Rama was a great warrior King who was
exiled by his father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife
Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on his wife's insistence. Lord Rama
returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an
end to the demon Ravana of Lanka, who was a great Pundit, highly learned but
still evil dominated his mind. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama
returned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows
of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana;
of Truth's victory over Evil.
The Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar(the
Dwarf): The other story concerns King Bali, who was a generous
ruler. But he was also very ambitious. Some of the Gods pleaded Vishnu to
check King Bali's power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a Vamana(dwarf)
dressed as priest. The dwarf approached King Bali and said "You are the
ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the skies and the
underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with three
strides?" King Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground,
thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. At this point, the dwarf
changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and
the whole Universe! King Bali was send to the underworld. As part of Diwali
celebrations, some Hindus remember King Bali.
The Defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna:
Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon Narkasura,
who was causing great unhappiness amongst the people of the world. Narkasura
was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in dirt. He used to kidnap
beautiful young women and force them to live with him. Eventually, their
cries for rescue were heard by Vishnu, who came in the form of Krishna.
First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster who guarded the
demon's home. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others.
Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. For Hindus, this story
is a reminder that good can still come out of evil.
Krishna and The Mountain: In the village
of Gokula, many years ago, the people prayed to the God Indra. They believed
that Indra sent the rains, which made their crops, grow. But Krishna came
along and persuaded the people to worship the mountain Govardhan, because
the mountain and the land around it were fertile. This did not please Indra.
He sent thunder and torrential rain down on the village. The people cried to
Krishna to help. Krishna saved the villagers by lifting the top of the
mountain with his finger. The offering of food to God on this day of Diwali
is a reminder to Hindus of the importance of food and it is a time for being
thankful to God for the bounty of nature.
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