Auspicious and Joyous Diwali

Sattvik picture of Shri Mahalakshmi made by Sanatan’s seekers

As soon as the various Vrats in the month of Shravan, Ganeshotsav in the month of Bhadrapad and Navaratri in the month of Ashwin, Dussehra are over, we look forward to celebrating Diwali. Diwali ! With the mere utterance of this word, our mind becomes happy, our ears hear the sound of crackers, our excitement starts to build up and we begin to dream of buying new clothes, new things, preparing tasty eatables. The festival of Diwali is like a congregation of different festivals.

Diwali is the festival of lights. A lamp or a flame are symbols of light. Light overcomes darkness. This is not mere darkness; ignorance and superstition are also forms of darkness. The purpose of Diwali is to light the lamp of knowledge to overcome this ignorance. Given ahead is the meaning of what Supreme Saint – Sant Jnandev – has said in Jnaneshwari, 4.54.

Meaning : I sweep away the soot of indiscretion that covers the lamp of discretion. It is a Diwali-like situation for Yogis.

Bhagawan Shrikrushna says – “By destroying indiscretions, thoughtlessness, evil tendencies in society, by shaking off the soot of indiscretion, the Path of Knowledge destroys the darkness of ignorance and lights the lamp of conscience and shows the direction of salvation”. Treading the path of Knowledge shown by God means celebrating Diwali of Knowledge.

Vasubaras (9^th November) : In our Hindu culture, the festival of Diwali begins with the worship of the cow which we consider to be a Deity. This day is also known as Govatsa Dwadashi. On this day, Savatsa Dhenu, meaning, the cow along with her calf are worshipped. Savatsa Dhenu is a form of Earth itself. Vasu means Earth. We live on the Earth’s surface; hence, this is the day to express gratitude towards Mother Earth, which displays affection, love and caring.

Guru Dwadashi is also celebrated on this day. Guru Purnima, Guru Pratipada and Guru Dwadashi are the three lunar days celebrated in a single year to remember the Gurus, who preach the path of emancipation in this world, in the other worlds, transcendental and spiritual to entire mankind. The underlying purpose is to express respect for the Gurus. On Guru Dwadashi, it is customary to read the Gurucharitra in such a way that it ends on the same day. Worship the Guru after lighting lanterns and recite the following mantra.

दामोदराय नभसि तुलायां दोलया सह ।
प्रदीपं ते प्रयच्छामि नमोऽनन्ताय वेधसे ।।

Meaning : I offer this lamp with a flame attached to a stick in the sky to the Supreme God, Damodar (Narayan). Namaskar (Obeisance) to that Infinite One.

This sky lantern should be kept lit till Devdiwali.

Dhantrayodashi (10^th November) : This is celebrated on the day of Ashwin Krushna Trayodashi. Yamadeep is donated on this day. To prevent untimely death, it is customary to offer Yamadeep on this day. In the evening, light a panati (a mud lamp) facing the south and worship it with gandha, turmeric, akshata, flowers, incense, lamp and offerings.

मृत्युना पाशदण्डाभ्यां कालेन श्यामया सह ।
त्रयोदश्यां दीपदानात् सूर्यजः प्रीयतां मम ॥

Meaning : May Deity Yama, the son of Deity Sun, who holds the noose and the rod, who is the ruler of Time and who is with Shyamala Devi, be pleased with this lamp lit on Trayodashi.

Pray like this and offer Yamadeep. On this day jewels, valuables, Vishnu-Lakshmi, Kuber, Yogini, Snake are also worshipped. This day is very important especially for the traders. Their New Year begins on Dhantrayodashi. On this day, all small and big traders worship their account books. After completing the accounts of the previous year, the new books of the New Year are worshipped. Through the worship of wealth and the offering of lamps to Deity Yama, a beautiful fusion of business and Spirituality is accomplished.

Dhanvantari Jayanti is also celebrated on this day. This is the day to remember and express gratitude unto Adidev Dhanvantari, the creator of various medicines (that destroy all diseases and bestow health), removes the fear of diseases, old age and death and to whom not only humans, but all Deities and demons always pay obeisance.

ॐ धं धन्वन्तरये नमः ।
नमामि धन्वन्तरिमादिदेवं सुरासुरैर्वन्दितपादपङ्कजम् ।
लोके जरारुग्भयमृत्युनाशनं दातारमीशं विविधौषधीनाम् ।।

Meaning : One whose Holy feet are worshipped by Deities and demons alike, who destroys old age, disease, fear and death in the world, I salute Deity Dhanvantari, who is the guardian of the world as well as the Deity of various medicines.

When this mantra of Deity Dhanvantari is recited regularly, all the imperfections in our body disappear and one gets health & peace of mind. The fear of death disappears. On this day, senior and eminent doctors and physicians who have performed admirably in the field of medicine are honoured with a ‘Dhanvantari’ Award in our country.

Narak Chaturdashi (12^th November) : This day is on Ashwin Krushna Chaturdashi. Early in the morning on this day, Abhyanga-snan is performed using fragrant oil and ubtan. It was on this day that Shrikrushna slayed demon Narakasur, who was troubling the Deities and the people; hence, this blissful moment was celebrated by lighting lamps everywhere.

At the time of his death, Narakasur said to Shrikrushna – ‘Whoever performs Abhyanga-snan on this day, he will not suffer the torment of hell. Also, the day of my death should be celebrated with lights everywhere’. Shrikrushna granted his wish by saying ‘So be it’. On this day, we should destroy and give up the undesirable attitudes of laziness, filthiness, anger, hatred, envy, enmity, pride, which create hell in our lives. This is the real underlying meaning. Let us briefly understand various days in Diwali.

1. Lakshmi-Kuber Pujan (12^th November)

Ashwin Krushna Amavasya is the day to worship Shri Lakshmi, meaning wealth, which in our culture is worshipped as Lakshmi.

ॐ आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं पुष्टिं पिङ्गलां पद्ममालिनीम् ।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ।।

– Shrisukta, Richa 13

Meaning : O’ Deity of Fire ! Invoke for me that Lakshmi who is like the moisture of a lotus pond, which nourishes a Soul (with Her soothing loveliness), who is encircled by light yellow lotuses and shines like the golden Moon.

We should recite this verse from Shrisukta to get rid of financial troubles and obtain riches with all kinds of wealth. The detailed intent of this verse is – O’ all-knowledgeable Deity of Fire ! May Shrilakshmi, who has materialised from Kshirsagar on Ardra Nakshatra, anointed by an elephant trunk in a pond full of lotus flowers, an affirmer who pervades all living beings, who bestows delight like the Moon which wears reddish brown lotus garlands, who is bedecked with gold ornaments, come to my house and dwell here forever. May Shri Vishnu’s wife Shri Lakshmi give us wisdom, inspiration and get good deeds performed at our hands.

Pray in this manner. Remember, Shri Lakshmi resides where efforts take place. Shri Lakshmi resides in one who is industrious, fearless, skilful and virtuous. Hence, have darshan of your palms every day in the morning and remember Shri Lakshmi.

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मी: करमध्ये सरस्वती ।
करमूले तु गोविन्द: प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥

Meaning : Lakshmi resides on the fore portion of the palm. In the centre of the palm resides Shri Saraswati and at the base is Govinda; hence, have darshan of the palm as soon as you wake up in the morning.

Shri Lakshmi has eight forms – Dhanyalakshmi, Dhanalakshmi, Dhairyalakshmi, Shouryalakshmi, Kirtilakshmi, Vidyalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi and Rajalakshmi. We should imbibe the qualities of Shri Lakshmi’s eight forms and keep Her happy by working continuously. This is the true meaning of Lakshmi Pujan.

Kuber : Kuber is the son of Sage Vishrava from Vaivasvata Manvantara. Deity Brahma gave Yaksha, Rakshasa & Pushpaka Viman and Lanka to serve Him. Vriddhi and Siddhi (Riddhi) are His Shaktis. Alka is His capital. Since He owns all kinds of wealth, Kuber Pujan is also performed on this day.

2. Balipratipada (14^th November)

This is on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, meaning, Diwali Padwa. This day is considered to be one of the three-and-a-half Muhurts (Auspicious times) in the Hindu Almanac. It holds special significance as the first day of Vikram Samvatsar. Govardhan Pujan is also performed on this day.

The story of Balipratiprada goes like this : The mighty and charitable King Bali performed many Yajnas to get Indrapad (Position as King of Gods). If King Bali gets the Indrapad, it was feared that his evil attitude would cause trouble to the subjects; hence, Shri Vishnu took the Incarnation of Batu Vaman and tricked him. Batu Vaman asked King Bali for a donation of land equivalent to only three steps. The generous King Bali quickly agreed; but Shri Vishnu in the form of Vaman covered the entire Universe in two steps, and when He asked where to place the third step, King Bali put his head forward. As soon as Vaman placed his foot on the King Bali’s head, King Bali went into Patal (Hell region). Shri Vishnu gave him the kingdom of Patal. The worries of the subjects and Gods-Goddesses ended and Indrapad remained safe. Shri Vishnu was pleased with the generosity of King Bali and granted him the boon that this day will be celebrated as Balipratipada.

3. Bhai dooj (15^th November)

This is on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya. This is the day of utmost closeness and unconditional love in the brother-sister relationship. The sister waves a lit lamp around her brother and gives him sweets, wishing that her brother be successful in life. The brother too gives her some gift in turn and honours her.

Bhai dooj is also called Yamadwitiya. Vivasvat and Saranyu had two children – Yama and Yami. Yama is the Deity of death. Yamadoots are His servants and Yama has two dogs at His door. Yama takes account of the sins of all, and after death, rewards them according to their karma.

Yama went to His sister Yami’s house to meet her. He was pleased to see the lights she had put up all over the house. Yami welcomed Him by waving lit lamps. In return, Yama gave her clothes and ornaments. Since then, this day of brother-sister relationship started to be celebrated everywhere.

It is believed that one who dies on the Yamadwitiya day attains Moksha; but Deity Yama does not impart Moksha. Instead, He gives knowledge on how to worship God who imparts Moksha, and how to inculcate and nurture values, virtues and good thoughts.

4. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi (26^th November)

Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi is called Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. The story from the Purans is like this : Shri Vishnu was worshiping Shri Vishweshwar in Varanasi’s Manakarnika Tirtha with a thousand lotus flowers. Deity Shankar hid one of the lotus’ to test Him. As soon as Shri Vishnu noticed that one flower is less, for the resolve not to fall short, He fulfilled His resolve (of offering a thousand lotus’) by offering His own lotus, meaning His eyes.

Pleased with His devotion, Deity Shankar gave Him the Kingdom of the Trilokas (The three Worlds) and told him to ask for a boon. Shri Vishnu requested that the demons and monsters that torment people be destroyed at His hands so that the demoniacal energies are destroyed. Deity Shankar gave Him the Sudarshan Chakra and a boon that those who meditate and bathe in the River Manakarnika on Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi will attain Vaikuntha.

Since then, Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi is called Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. Shankar and Vishnu meet on this day, and only on this day, 108 tulsi leaves are offered to Deity Shankar and 108 bel leaves are offered to Shri Vishnu.

5. Devdiwali (27^th November)

The festival of Devdiwali is celebrated on Margashirsha Shukla Pratipada. All Deities, such as the Family Deity (Male and Female), Deities of worship, Sthanadevata, Vastudevata, Gramadevata, Mahapurush, Vetoba, etc. and other Deities in the village and family are honoured by performing rituals and offering Naivedya to them.

There is a strong belief that when all these Deities are satisfied, the shadow of evil forces does not fall on the house due to their grace.

Devdiwali marks the end of Diwali in the real sense. In our Indian culture, we celebrate many festivals throughout the year. These celebrations give us moments of joy in our daily life, help strengthen the relationships and also give hope to live anew. Diwali is one such festival of joy, happiness and light.

Deepotsav is not limited to the lighting of lamps and lanterns, but is a journey from darkness to light, through knowledge. The true celebration of Diwali would be to destroy the darkness of delusion, ignorance and superstition and to light the lamp of knowledge in our hearts. Diya (or oil lamp) is a symbol of knowledge. The moment we illuminate our lives with the light of this enlightenment, every day of our life will become a Diwali day.

If we give up the vices of laziness, anger, hatred, jealousy, lust, infatuation, etc. and adopt virtues of good thinking, compassion, forbearance, mercy, forgiveness, peace and positive thinking, which are most necessary in today’s hectic and stressful lifestyle, our life will be truly enlightened. And we will get a state of extraordinary peace of mind !

– Mrs Pragya Kulkarni, Dombivli, Maharashtra. (Courtesy : ‘Adimata Deepavali Visheshank’)

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