HINDU RENAISSANCE
Diwali is a symbol of a fresh start, a new beginning. I always say that God does not open our old files. Whenever we go to him, whenever we bow our heads humbly and say, “God, I am yours”, he will accept us. We must offer ourselves completely at his holy feet. Without his grace and his blessings, nothing is possible.
This year, on the occasion of Diwali , let us vow not just to offer God a cheque — a mere piece of paper — say a few mantras and then get on with our lives as before, but let us live according to the realisation that we owe everything to him, and we should make an attempt to offer at his feet, whatever we have.
Probably the most commonly celebrated aspect of Diwali is that it is the festival of lights. Homes, offices, shops and streets are lined with bright diyas or earthen lamps. This is not only aesthetically beautiful but has a deeper meaning to it as we are warding off the darkness of ignorance, of anger, of temptations, with the light of wisdom, love and freedom. It is wonderful to see the rows and rows of beautiful diyas , lighting up our streets.
These lamps are meant as symbols , as a means to an end. But, what is this end? What is the real darkness, which must be dispelled? It is the darkness within us, the darkness of ignorance, of selfishness, of duality that has to be eliminated.
Indian culture says that we are all one. Indian culture says that as our brothers and sisters suffer in darkness, so we too are suffering, although we may not be aware of it. It is, therefore, our divine duty to help dispel the darkness in their lives and to help alleviate their suffering.
The Meaning of Diwali (www.diwalifestival.org)
The origin of Diwali is dates back to periods, when there was little or no writings, and knowledge used to be transferred through generations, purely by listening, memorizing, and then speaking it out to someone else. Thus the process continued.
The origin of diwali lies in different and varied legends and mythologies of the Hindu scriptures, mostly the Puranas. However, all of them have a single commonality, they all depict the triumph of the good over the evil.
You can read below for some of the most accepted views of the origin of Diwali, or check out all the views in details at our Diwali history page, where all the seven views of origin and history of Diwali is given.
Diwali as Celebration of King Rama's homecoming, as in Ramayana
Ramayana is one of the two most important epics of the Hindu religion. In this epic, Lord Rama, king of Ayodhya, returns to his kingdom with his wife and brother Lakshman, after his exile of 14 years, and defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya goes ecstatic with the joy of His returning, and to welcome their king, lights up earthen diyas in every home of Ayodhya, thus lighting up the whole kingdom. It took place on the night of the new moon of Ashwin, and the tradition is carried out even today.
The EPIC:
According to Ramayana, Diwali commemorates the return of Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after killing the Ravana, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks to celebration of the return of their king. Continuing the story of Rama, this festival commemorates Lord Ram's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country. This celebration took place on the night of the new moon of Ashwin (October-November). The tradition and the timing continued to be followed even these days. Click here to know more...
But it is just one aspect of this legendary festival. Though the four-day long festival centers round the new moon night, the night of lamps, each of the four days has an interesting story to tell of its own.
The Day of Narakchaturdashi. This is actually the pre-Diwali day and the beginning of the four day long festival. The day is associated with the legend of the demon Naraka.This holy day marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. According to Puranas Naraka, the son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power as a blessing from Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing the lestial beings with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture.But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he could face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.When Krishna feigns unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka and kills him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of the Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path.The message of Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds.
This Narakachaturdashi day is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.
Day of Amavashya.
Bali was the king of the nether world and his mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a dwarf - a vaman - visited him and begged him to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. That very moment that dwarf transformed himself into the all-powerful Lord Vishnu. With his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head. Putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. At the same time for his generosity Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Another version is that when Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vaman, sought three feet of land from the very generous king Bali Chakravarthy, Bali had to surrender his head as Vamana had conquered the earth and the sky in His two strides. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the nether world of Pathal by keeping his third stride on Bali's head. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon and he in turn requests the Lord to guard his palace at Patal Loka. Meanwhile, the Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve Vishnu. It is on this day of Amavasya Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is delighted. That is the reason it is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day would be bestowed with all the riches.
According to another version it was on this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar when the Gods and demons were churning the sagara for Amrutha Bhandam.
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