Friday, November 12, 2004
Diwali Myths
There are a number of legends for the origin of Diwali. In different states in India different stories and ceremonies are preferred.
As Hindu calendar follows moon rise there are 30 days in each month. Hence Diwali falls around September/October time.
Dhanteras:
This is the first day of Diwali and is the thirteenth day of the lunar calendar. Dhan means riches/money/wealth.
The story says that the Prince of King Hima was doomed to die by a snake bite on the 4th day of his wedding according to his horoscope. On that day his young wife laid all the ornaments, gold and silver in a big heap at the entrance of their boudoir and lighted hundreds of lamps all over the place. When Yama, god of Death arrived in the guise of a snake he got blinded by the dazzle of the light. He sat on top of the heap of gold and silver all night listening to the bride's religious prayer songs. In the morning he went away as the set day had passed.The wife saved her husband's life.
This has led to a sub legend that King cobra guards treasures.
Kali Chaudesh : This is the eve of Diwali.
The story goes that the demon king Narkasur snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess and imprisoned 16,000 daughters of gods and saints. Lord Krishna killed the demon and liberated the ladies. As a symbol of victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon's blood. Krishna returned home in the early mornings of Kali Chaudesh day. He was given a scented bath before sunrise to wash the filth from his body. Since then bathing before sunrise on this day is a tradition.
Diwali :
This is the most important day devoted to Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and happiness. It is said that on this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk and brought light and prosperity for mankind. On this day sun enters the second course and passes Libra , balance of scale, suggesting balance of account books. In the evening at the time of worship of Goddess of Lakshmi, most businesses close the books of the old year and start new books. They do the sathiyo with 3 dots on top (Rational Knowledge, Rational Perception and Rational Conduct) on their accounting books and pray for prosperity.
New Year , Gudi Padwa:
On this day, King Vikramaditya was crowned king and Vikram-Samvat (calendar) started from this day. The Indian year is counted from that year (57BC) and hence is different from the English calendar year which starts 1st January. This year 2061.
As per Vishnu-Puran (old book), the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honour of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. Kind of Harvest festival. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella.
On this day prayers and Annakoot (free food to all) are offered in the temples.
This day is also symbolic of love and devotion between husband and wife. Married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. In old days brothers went to fetch sisters from their in-laws for this important day.(Indian tradition that after marriage the daughter goes to the husband's house and joins his family).
Bhai dooj :
The final day is given to the love between brothers and sisters. The story goes that Yama, the God of Death visited his sister on this day. She put auspicious tilak (dot) on his forehead for his happiness and safety.Offered gifts and special meal. At the time of parting Yama announces, as a gift to his sister, that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister will never be thrown. On this day it is a custom for a brother to visit his sister's house.
Whatever the legend the essence of Diwali is the light of knowledge and kindness towards mankind. A messege of sacrifice and dharma in order to uphold values and fulfill our responsibility even at a cost of personal happiness.
Diwali is reaffirmation of hope, renewal of commitment to friendship and goodwill.
I enjoy all kinds of stories (the child in me!) so some more to follow in future. Have you got any story to tell?
As Hindu calendar follows moon rise there are 30 days in each month. Hence Diwali falls around September/October time.
Dhanteras:
This is the first day of Diwali and is the thirteenth day of the lunar calendar. Dhan means riches/money/wealth.
The story says that the Prince of King Hima was doomed to die by a snake bite on the 4th day of his wedding according to his horoscope. On that day his young wife laid all the ornaments, gold and silver in a big heap at the entrance of their boudoir and lighted hundreds of lamps all over the place. When Yama, god of Death arrived in the guise of a snake he got blinded by the dazzle of the light. He sat on top of the heap of gold and silver all night listening to the bride's religious prayer songs. In the morning he went away as the set day had passed.The wife saved her husband's life.
This has led to a sub legend that King cobra guards treasures.
Kali Chaudesh : This is the eve of Diwali.
The story goes that the demon king Narkasur snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess and imprisoned 16,000 daughters of gods and saints. Lord Krishna killed the demon and liberated the ladies. As a symbol of victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon's blood. Krishna returned home in the early mornings of Kali Chaudesh day. He was given a scented bath before sunrise to wash the filth from his body. Since then bathing before sunrise on this day is a tradition.
Diwali :
This is the most important day devoted to Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and happiness. It is said that on this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk and brought light and prosperity for mankind. On this day sun enters the second course and passes Libra , balance of scale, suggesting balance of account books. In the evening at the time of worship of Goddess of Lakshmi, most businesses close the books of the old year and start new books. They do the sathiyo with 3 dots on top (Rational Knowledge, Rational Perception and Rational Conduct) on their accounting books and pray for prosperity.
New Year , Gudi Padwa:
On this day, King Vikramaditya was crowned king and Vikram-Samvat (calendar) started from this day. The Indian year is counted from that year (57BC) and hence is different from the English calendar year which starts 1st January. This year 2061.
As per Vishnu-Puran (old book), the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honour of Lord Indra and worshipped him after the end of every monsoon season. Kind of Harvest festival. But one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. But Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella.
On this day prayers and Annakoot (free food to all) are offered in the temples.
This day is also symbolic of love and devotion between husband and wife. Married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. In old days brothers went to fetch sisters from their in-laws for this important day.(Indian tradition that after marriage the daughter goes to the husband's house and joins his family).
Bhai dooj :
The final day is given to the love between brothers and sisters. The story goes that Yama, the God of Death visited his sister on this day. She put auspicious tilak (dot) on his forehead for his happiness and safety.Offered gifts and special meal. At the time of parting Yama announces, as a gift to his sister, that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister will never be thrown. On this day it is a custom for a brother to visit his sister's house.
Whatever the legend the essence of Diwali is the light of knowledge and kindness towards mankind. A messege of sacrifice and dharma in order to uphold values and fulfill our responsibility even at a cost of personal happiness.
Diwali is reaffirmation of hope, renewal of commitment to friendship and goodwill.
I enjoy all kinds of stories (the child in me!) so some more to follow in future. Have you got any story to tell?
# posted by butterflyuk : 11/12/2004 11:44:00 pm
