A Meaningful Deepavali

A Meaningful Deepavali

Deepavali--- Deepa Avali means fleet/row of lamps. Similar to the terms such as  Naamaavali- a string of names of the God or Swaravali- a string of musical notes- Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni. Why a fleet of lamps? In ancient days, houses a lit up whenever there is victory of good over evil and whenever Dharma is restored. Example, when Satyabama slayed NarakaSura, her own son, when Raama saved Sita and bestowed Dharma in Lanka, when Bheema slayed BakaSura, the citizens lit up oil lamps in their houses to signify restoration of peace, happiness and reinstatement of righteousness. From a distance if you look down from a hill peak, the lights will form a Deepavali, hence the day of celebration is called ‘Deepavali’.

NarakaSura was considered to be born to Bhudevi (mother earth) and fathered by MahaVishnu himself during his Varaha Avataram the 3rd reincarnation of MahaVishnu). As promised by Mother Earth, NarakaSura could enjoy a long reign which only brought him greed, lust and ego. Finally, MahaVishnu was born as Krishna. Aditi (the heavenly mother goddess), once victimized by NarakaSura and who was a relative of Krishna's wife Satyabhama(believed to be an Avatar of Bhudevi herself- NarakaSura's mother), approached Satyabhama for help. When Satyabhama heard of the NarakaSura's ill treatment of women and his behaviour with Aditi, she was enraged. Satyabhama approached Lord Krishna for permission to wage a war against NarakaSura. As promised to the Devas and Aditi, Krishna attacked the great fortress of NarakaSura.

The battle was furiously fought. Lord Krishna also killed Mura, NarakaSura's general. Thus, Krishna is called 'MurAri' (the killer of Mura).

At last, when NarakaSura tried to kill Lord Krishna with a trident, Lord Krishna pretended to be dead. Kowning Krishna was dead, enraged his wife Satyabama who shot him with her divine arrow (as per the boon of NarakaSura-to be killed by his mother who was eventually Satyabama).

Before NarakaSura's death, he requested a boon from his mother, Satyabhama, that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light to signify Dharma always prevails. Thus this day is celebrated as 'Naraka Chaturdashi'  which is the day before Diwali. Krishna's and Satyabhama's victory over NarakaSura translated into freedom for all his prisoners and honored Aditi.

Another event that is prominently tied to Deepavali is the victory of Raama over Raavana and his return to Ayodhya from Lanka. It is said that, he ended the battle with Raavana on Vijayadasami day (last day of Navarathri) and started his journey back up north to Ayodhya by foot. As he passed through various cities, lights were lit up to signify the rejoining of the infamous couple and everlasting happiness. The journey by foot took them 21 days From Vijaya Dasami day to Amavasya) to reach Ayodhya. Today if you Google map Sri Lanka to Ayodhya it will show you the duration is indeed 21 days.

Well, the above is just a story of NarakaSura. Though he was slayed by his own mother’s reincarnation, the characteristics of NarakaSura is overpowered within each one of us. It is our choice to slay this demon within us or let Mother earth- Bhudevi to take the due course of action. Mother earth is the most patient entity of all. She bares all our wrongdoings towards the nature and against the nature. Our greed is endless. The greed we possess exploits and endangers all other living being in the name of personal wealth growth and self pride. We human beings have violated all possible law of nature in pursue of endless self-satisfaction, not realizing we are heading towards self-destruction. Let it be pollution of the environment, act of extremism and hatred towards each other which boils down to terrorism, to fulfill desires and taste buds, the ever-flourishing poultry industry, genetical modifications, irresponsible waste management and boundless over indulgence. These are just examples of the various manifestations of NarakaSura in this modern world.

How do we celebrate Deepavali today? Excessive meat consumption and liquor beverages! The objective of the said celebration is distorted to its roots. Rather to embrace peace, harmony, mediocrity, love for all living beings, instead, we are cultivating and nurturing the NarakaSura. How irony it is to the ancient believe system.

For most of us, the Deepavali starts off reasonably Satvic, morning oil bath, prayers, a visit to the temple, blessings from the elders. However, the next is chicken curry with Idli for breakfast and followed by mutton varuval with biryani. Towards the evening, Rajasic and Tamasic Gunas gets to even greater heights with liquor consumption, followed by quarrelling and even fighting and throwing glasses to break some heads before throwing up from the hang over.

Some strictly follow the practice of Shraddha for the ancestors and they would perform Tharpanam on Deepavali day as it falls on Amavasya. Ladies would perform prayers for Goddess Mahalakshmi is remembrance of Bhudevi. At the end, consumption of another live in the form of chicken and mutton and non-mediocracy nullifies all the Palan (benefits of the puja).

Let us together make this day a meaningful one. Cherishing and thanking mother earth for her patience, paying our due respect to our ancestors, seeking blessings from the elders and finally getting refuge from the Almighty.

Sarve Jana: Sukhino Bhavanthu (May everyone be happy)