Be blessed in Diwali

Be blessed in Diwali

Written by Preetha

We all have been celebrating Diwali for years and will continue for years coming too. Diwali is a festival of rejoice which is being celebrated almost throughout India.

We all know the famous Hindu mythology that talks about the emergence of Diwali. Lets talk about it, but before that when we say Diwali we see our faces blossoming with joy and spirits filled with happiness.

To express our happiness we enjoy the festival by lighting earthen lamps, nowadays people decorate their home completely with electric lamps and shades, bursting crackers, having feast, wearing new clothes, kolams with colors (rangolis) etc. For any aspect light is always a key element symbolizing the eradication of darkness and bringing in the good things.

It is a festival in which all age groups of people pro-actively participate starting from getting up in the morning at 4.00 o’clock, take our traditional oil bath, get your new festive clothes from elders with all their blessings, wear them with a merry, light up lamps at home, go for bursting crackers and other fireworks. The fireworks are said to scary away the evils.

After having enough of fireworks, comeback and have a good feast together with all the household members. We use to enjoy, have fun having the feast prepared specially on the Diwali day.

You can place your earthen divas around the home, in balcony, verandahs, and gardens, sit-outs as well as on roof-tops and outer walls.

The story of Lord Krishna destroying the demon Narkasura. This is when Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as Lord Krishna. It happened that, Lord Indra in his Vahana, Iravadam had to flee to Dwaraka to meet Lord Krishna. The stunningly beautiful Krishna with sheer elegance looked at Lord Indra and inquired about Indras appearance at Dwaraka. Indra told about the demon Narkasura who was causing great unhappiness amongst the people of the world. He had control over all kingdoms on earth and now turned his eye towards Swarkalokha. Narkasura had kidnapped beautiful young women and force them to live with him. To be mentioned here, Narkasura is the child of Mother Earth. When Lord Vishnu incarnated as Varaha , it is said that demon Narkasura was born to Lord Varaha (third avatar of Vishnu) and the Mother Earth.

Lord Indra says that, Narkasura has taken away Varunans Umbrella, which is responsible for raining, he has taken the sikaram of Mandhara parvatham, and all above he has stolen the Golden precious earrings of Adithi, heavenly mother goddess. And he tried to grab away my vahana ‘Iravatham’. We are not able to bear anymore of his misbehaviors so we pray that you save us from this evil.

Listening to all this, Lord Krishna assured that he would attend to this matter and everything will turn out to be right. To be mentioned, Adithi, was a relative of Krishna’s wife Satyabhama. When Satyabhama heard of the Narakasura’s ill treatment of women and his behaviour with Adithi, she was enraged. As promised, Lord Krishna accompanied by Sathyabama set to Pragjyotisha on their Vahana Garuda, where the evil Naraka ruled.

At the time, Bhoomi devi told Lord Krishna that it was to your acquaintance the demon Naraka emerged and you should destroy him and to bless his imminent generations. She said, You’re the Creator, you’re the Protector and you’re the destroyer. To eliminate mortal evil you created and planted Naraka, so please forgive him for all his sins. Here, mothers affection towards her son is seen.

Bhoomi devi, sought the boon from Vishnu that her son should have a long life, and that he should be all powerful. Vishnu granted these boons and Naraka was enjoying his reign. And, the time to end his chapter has arose.

The battle was furiously fought. Lord Krishna and Goddess Sathyabhama together defeated and destroyed the demon Naraka. Goddess Lakshmi disguised as Sathyabhama is said to be the female counterpart of Lord Vishnu. To renown this, in many homes it is a tradition for wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband and pray for his long life. And, for all the caring she tenders her husband bestows her with a lovely gift.

Narakasura was beheaded, the imprisoned women were released, the precious earrings of Goddess Aditi was recovered, recovered umbrella , sikaram of Mandhara parvatham was recovered too.

Lord Krishna returned all the belongings to the people and blessed them, from then onwards all lived happily. So, it became a customary to give gifts to our near and dear ones. Also, since Lord Krishna returned the golden earrings that yield amritham to Adithi, we follow the practice of gifting Gold and is believed that the recipients lead a wealthy and prosperous life.

Goddess Bhudevi, mother of the slain Narakasura, wanted not to mourn instead be cheerful and celebrate the destruction of the evil. Since then, Deepavali is being celebrated by people every year with delight. Diwali usually takes place eighteen days after Dusseera.

On this auspicious day, Lakshmi puja is performed at all homes in the evening. After eliminating all evil spirits we welcome Lakshmi to our homes by lighting of lamps and doing this pooja. Light is always to eradicate ignorance and gain knowledge. Devotional songs are sung, colorful kolams are drawn all the way from entrance to pooja room. Then neivedyam of traditional sweets and savouries is offered to God. Also, using betel leaves, nuts, plaintain fruits, flowers with different smells and colors, sandal, kumkum, gingelly oil, turmeric, incense fragnances is inviting Lakshmi to our place. Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, so inviting her with all her favourite makes our home a wealthy residence.

Keep note to use ghee in your lamps since ghee has the capacity to attract more spiritual vibrations when compared to oil lamps. Also, Diwali Puja is the significant day for the most traditional Hindu businessmen. On this day, ink bottle, pens and new account books are worshipped.

You can visit your friends, relatives and can exchange flowers, lamps, decorative items, wall hangings and enjoy this Diwali. Diwali always energises the destruction of negative and evil forces like anger, envy, injustice, brutality etc. I pray for well-being of all of us and our surroundings and be blessed.

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