This is a festive season for Hindus across the globe. Everywhere in the world, we celebrate this festival with enthusiasm and fervor. So, this week’s posts are dedicated to this festival, Deepawali.
It is celebrated for many reasons; the main one being the return of Lord Rama with his consort Mother Seeta and brother Lakshmana, to Ayodhya, after completing a 14-year long exile. The festivities begin with Dussehra, the day Rama slays the ten-headed asura (Ravana) and rescues Mother Seeta, marking the victory of good over evil. Victorious, they travel back to Ayodhya and their return is celebrated as Deepawali. Incidentally, the day falls on new moon day (Amavasya). This may be another reason why the tradition of illuminating with diyas (oil lamps) commenced.
As per Vedic scriptures, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness; the shift from ignorance to knowledge. Hindus worship Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Ganesha, the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles on this day. Many North Indian sates celebrate Goverdhan pooja and worship Lord Krishna, as he slays the Narakasura on this day, the first day of Deepawali.
It is believed in some traditions that before Narakasura's death, he requested a boon from Satyabhama (incarnation of Bhudevi), that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful lights. Thus, this day is celebrated as 'Naraka Chaturdashi' - the beginning day of Deepavali. Krishna's and Satyabhama's victory on Narakasura and Narakasura's death is venerated as the occasion of freedom for all his prisoners, and in honor of Aditi. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narakasura)
For Jains, this day marks the final liberation of Mahavira. Jains invite one and all, gather in prayer and greet one another with a unique phrase- “Michhami dukkadam” which translated, has the same essence.
The phrase "tassa micchami dukkadam" has been interpreted in a number of ways, or implied to mean more, from literal to symbolic. Meanings:
"May that fault have been done in vain [have no effect]."
"May all my improper actions be inconsequential."
"My fault has been due to error."
"May all my transgressions be forgiven."
"I ask pardon of all living beings, may all of them pardon me, may I have friendship with all beings and enmity with none." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micchami_Dukkadam)
For the Sikhs, this day is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal prison.
Be it Hindus, Jains, Buddhists or Sikhs, all celebrants illuminate their homes, temples and workspaces with diyas, candles and lanterns.
Celebrated by different religions, this unique festival shares the same message: "Lead us from ignorance to knowledge, from darkness to light and from death to immortality."
“Om asato ma sadgamaya
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrtyor ma amrtam gamaya”
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