Deepavali
Diwali is auspicious and is known as the festival of lights. It symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”. Deep means “light” and avali “a row” to become “a row of lights.” If people want to experience Diwali from within, then light a Diya, Sit quietly with eyes closed, Observe the senses, Concentrate on this supreme light, Illuminate the soul.
Let’s this Deepavali make you attain these 5 D’s
1.Direction of Light
2.Discipline of Life
3.Destruction of Evil
4.Dedication to Life
5.Deep sense of one self
Direction of Light : To move humans from ignorance to acceptance, knowledge where it leads to self realization.
Discipline of Life : Can be attained by proper practicing of yoga and ayurveda. It is the day lord Dhanwanthari emerged from sea to human kind . Good day to start yoga and ayurveda.
Destruction of Evil : Evilness from outside and inside destroyed to attain fearless state, like Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and brought light to people’s life.
Dedication to Life / your self : One must dedicate your energy to your life. On this day Rama Seetha and Lakshmana completed their vanavasa of 14 years and returned to their Homeland.
Deep sense of Oneself / ultimate liberation : Celebration of deepavali, that is lighting the lamp means transforming human nature to Divine nature. Let this Deepavali bring you the divinity
Beyond the lights and fun, Diwali is also a time to reflect on life and make changes for the upcoming year. It is common practice that people forget and forgive the wrongs done by others during Diwali. There is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere. Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work, and spiritual advancement. It is a unifying event which can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a time where people mingle with joy and love everyone. People pray for progress and prosperity during the coming year. Diwali also represents the time of inner illumination. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light illuminates the soul. It is an opportunity to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss. From darkness unto light—the light empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds and brings us closer to divinity. It is a time to reflect on and evaluate our thoughts, words, and actions over the past year. It is a time to acknowledge and better understand our prejudices, negative behaviors, and bad habits so that we may begin the process of transforming ourselves. It is a time to discover how we can be more loving, kind, respectful, and skillful towards ourselves and others.
This festival is celebrated for 5 days
Day-1: Dhanvantari Trayodashi
1.This day is the 13th day of Krishna Paksha. The dark quarter of the month of Karthik Maasa.
2.There is a belief that on this day Dhanwanthari came from the sea with Ayurveda, medical science and good for humankind.
3.At sunset , people take bath and offer prasada near Tulsi, Holy Basil or any sacred tree in the yard.
Day-2 : Naraka Chaturdashi
1.It is believed that Lord Krishna killed Narakasur’s demon on this day.
2.In earlier days, people would take oil bath and celebrate festival with vigour and pity.
Day-3: Actual Diwali day
1.It is the day when Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped for the blessings of prosperity, health and riches, the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. People are lighting diyas made out of mud. Millions of crackers and fairy lights are on the street throughout India.
Day-4: Vishwakarma Day
1.In Northern India people celebrate Govardhan Puja by worshiping books, instruments, arms and equipment.
Day-5: Bhai Beej day
1.There is a belief that on this day Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of Death) came to his sister Yamuna and gave her a Vardhan (a boon) that the person who visited her that day would be freed from all sins and attain moksha or ultimate liberation.
