For those out there like myself that are not too familiar with Indian
customs and recieved a Happy Deepavali email from Jesudoss, I just thought I
would share the true meaning of Deepavali. It sure sounds like they have
many enjoyable festivals. I would even think about moving there, but the
only question is, how is the economy? It isn't too good here right
now...many companies outsourcing jobs overseas.
Deepavali - the Festival of Lights
India is a land of festivals where you will see at least one major festival
each month. Deepavali (or Diwali) which literally means "rows of lamps" is
one of the four main festivals of India. Throughout the world all Hindus
celebrate Deepavali or Diwali with great pomp and enthusiasm.
The celebration of Diwali lasts six days, beginning on the 12th day of the
month of Kartik (as per the North Indian lunar calendar). The day before
Diwali, in order to evoke the grace of God, women fast. It is not that God
wants you to go hungry or takes pleasure in your suffering - the principle
is that you gain only by giving up. That evening, devotees worship Gomata
(the cow) and her calf and feed them special food. Women pray for the
welfare of the entire family. This holy day is called Vasubaras.
The first official day of Diwali falls on the 13th of Kartik. People set
about cleaning houses and shops, and decorating doorsteps and courtyards
with rangoli or multi-coloured designs. They purchase gold ornaments, new
vessels, clothes, and other such items. Devotees arise early in the morning
before sunrise and take oil baths. If possible, they wear new clothes. In
the evening, people worship coins representing wealth. Houses and courtyards
glow from the lights, and families decorate with lanterns. This day of
celebration is called Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras.
The second day is called Naraka Chaturdashi. People take an oil bath in the
early morning and then in the night they light lamps and burn firecrackers.
People visit their relatives and friends, exchanging love and sweets.
On the third day, people worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. People
decorate their houses with lit lamps and lanterns to welcome Lakshmi to
their home and hearts. On this day businessmen close old accounts and open
new accounts. The earth is lit up by lamps and the skies are coloured by the
multi-hued lights of fireworks.
In North India, the Govardhana Puja occurs on the fourth day of Diwali.
Devotees in the North build hillocks made of cow dung, symbolising
Govardhana, and decorate and worship them. North Indians observe this day as
Annakoot, or the mountain of food.
The fifth day of the festival called Bhaiyya Dooj celebrates unique and fun
customs. Every man dines in his sister's house, and, in return, presents her
with gifts. North India calls it Yama Dwitiya. Thousands of brothers and
sisters join hands and have a sacred bath in the river Yamuna.
The Legends
Dhanteras
The scriptures mention the divinity called Dhanvantari emerging from the
churning of the ocean with a kalash (pot) filled with Amrit (ambrosia). Due
to the fact that Dhanvantari, who revealed the science of Ayurveda to the
world, first manifested on this day, all over India, doctors following the
Ayurvedic system of medicine organise joyful celebrations of the annual
Dhanvantari festival.
Naraka Chaturdashi
There is a legend about a king of Prag-Jyotishpur, named Narakasura. He was
a powerful king who misused power to harass his subjects. Sri Krishna
destroyed this oppressive asura king on this day. Unjustly imprisoned people
celebrated their freedom with friends and family. The citizens celebrated
deliverance from Narkasura's reign by lighting lamps.
Sri Rama
Deepavali falls on a no-moon day - in fact the darkest day of the year. The
illuminations and fireworks, joy and festivities, are to signify the victory
of divine forces over the powers of darkness. On Deepavali day, triumphant
Sri Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the
asura king of Lanka.
Goddess Lakshmi Devi
The Puranas say that it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi, who emerged
from the churning of the ocean of milk, married Lord Vishnu, the repository
of all divine qualities.
Govardhana Puja
In order to shelter the gopis and gopas and their cows from the torrential
rains sent by Indra, Krishna lifted a hill near Mathura called Govardhana
with his finger and sheltered all the people for a period of seven days
under it. By then Indra saw Krishna's greatness and asked him for
forgiveness.
Bhaiyya Dooj
The river Yamuna and Yama the God of Death were brother and sister. As they
grew up they went their different ways. On this day Yama supposedly visited
his sister Yamuna, who in her joy at seeing her brother after such a long
interlude set up a feast for him. Pleased, Yama granted her a boon. He
declared that every man that receives a tilak or vermilion mark on the
forehead from his sister and presents her with lovely gifts on this day
would attain higher worlds.
The message of Deepavali
The traditional name of India is Bharata and Indians are Bharatias - or
those who revel in light. During the night of Deepavali the myriad little
clay lamps (diyas) seem to silently send forth message of Deepavali: "Come,
let us remove darkness from the face of the earth."
The dharma of the fire is the same wherever it is: in a poor man's house, in
a rich man's house, in America, in Antarctica, or in the Himalayas. It gives
light and heat. The flame of the light is always turned up. Even if we keep
the lamp upside down, the flame will burn upwards. The message is that our
mind should be focused on Atman, the Self wherever we are. The lamps remind
us of our dharma of realising our divine nature.
"The Self is self-luminous being pure Consciousness. The cognition of all
objects arises from the light of pure Consciousness." -says Bhrihadaranyaka
Upanishad
One lamp can light several others. You can even light another 1000 lamps,
still the flame and the light of the first lamp will remain as it is. It
loses nothing. By becoming manifold, the light loses nothing. The lights of
Deepavali represent Brahman and the creation. It conveys the message of the
