Deepavali Festival of Lights
Dr. Vimala Krishnapillai
The literal meaning of Deepavali is Deepa Avali a row of lights. The
joy giving festivities on this day, along with the array of lamps lights
up the lives of people. Deepavali falls this year on October 27. By the
Hindu Lunar calendar it is the Amavasai the new moon, in the month of
Karthigai.
Legends and history explain how Deepavali evolved into such a widely
celebrated festival. Traditions associated with the festival vary
depending on the regional local beliefs in the different States of
India. The celebration of the triumph of the good over the evil is the
often repeated underlying ancient Hindu theme in all festivals. Good
over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.
Hindus the world over celebrate “Deepavali” today. Picure
Kavindra Perera |
Deepavali symbolises the vanquishing of the tyrannical Asuras, the
personifications of evil who subdue humanity. The ancient preceptors
also took care to dovetail the devotional aspect in all festivals giving
it a Godward turn. The lamps lit during Deepavali may be different but
the light which drives away the darkness that engulfs us is the same.
When the Effulgent Light shines, all else shine receiving its glow
And that Effulgence illuminates every thing.
Kathhoupanishad
The Hindus in South India and Sri Lanka commemorate Deepavali as the
day on which the Naraka the demonical Asura the embodiment of evil was
killed. Naraka imprisoned and tortured thousands of innocent beings.
Unable to bear this tyranny the celestials beings pleaded with Lord
Krishna to save them. Lord Krishna subdued Naraka by killing him and
freed the prisoners.
Coronation
In North India Deepavali festival is mostly commemorated as Lord
Rama’s victory over king Ravana of Lanka and his coronation after his
return. During Lord Rama banishment of 14 years Ayodhya was
metaphorically in darkness. Lord Rama was welcomed by his subjects by
lighting their homes and streets with arrays of lights.
Deepavali is also observed in most regions as a day of homage and
worship to Mahalakshmi who the bestows wealth, health and prosperity.
The Goddess of wealth Lakshmi is believed to visit every home on Earth
on this day. Lakshmi puja is performed worshipping her as Deepa swarupa
sudar maeni, manifested in the kthuvelaku the sacred brass lamp. To the
traditional business communities the day also marks the beginning of the
new business year.
All festivals, in whatever context they are celebrated spurs
enthusiasm into the dull, drab, humdrum work a day lives of people. The
accent is on something new and something grand celebrated in an
atmosphere of joy and festivity.
Deepavali is no exception to this and the mode of celebration is not
much different from those of the traditional practices followed during
the dawn of the New Year. A clean fresh look is given to the house,
doorways are hung with thoranams of mango leaves and the entrance
decorated with kolam.
Poorana kumbha the traditional ornate brass pot filled to the brim
with water fringed with mango leaves with a coconut placed on top
occupies an elevated prominent place. The lit brass lamps as in all
religious Hindu rite or ceremony at home or temple, hold a unique place
and cannot be conceived without it. This act of lighting lamps promotes
sanctity when done with the devotional Bhava attitude. The light of the
lamp deepa Johti is believed to act as a link to the unknown power.
Cleaning one’s body and soul of all evil thoughts and deeds and
wearing of new clothes is a must on this day. The ritual bath early dawn
on this day is synonymous with the bath in the holy Ganges, Ganga snanam.
Eating traditional sweets, greeting relations and friends seeking the
blessings of elders at home and the God in temples are all part of the
day.
Modern days
The exchange of greeting cards, lighting of crackers and fireworks
during the night has also become part of the atmosphere of merriment in
Deepavali in modern days.
Hinduism is not merely Vedanta Hinduism is not metaphysics either.
Hinduism is veiled behind symbols, festivals, rituals and forms of
deities. As such Deepavali brings out the outer expressions of ideals
clothed in mystical and metaphorical truths and the esoteric meaning of
the scriptural injunctions.
Why illumination ? From time immemorial the most persistent search of
the heart is for light and how to keep oneself in its presence always.
Light is one of the most ancient symbols of God in Hinduism. Light
animates all nature. The Devas are described as pure luminous radiant
beings having a body of light.
God is addressed as the supreme divine light of grace in the Hindu
scriptures. Outer light is said only to be a symbol, an external
manifestation of the light which helps one to remember the ultimate
light, the energy of consciousness.
The greatest prayers of the Vedic Rishis, the Gayathri mantra Dhiyo
yo nah prachodayaat seeks the light of understanding to be redeemed from
darkness.
Tamaso maa Jothihir gamaya - Lead me from darkness to light, remove
my veils of ignorance that I may behold Thy light is an inexpressively
beautiful Upanishad prayer which echoes in every heart.
True, the light prayed for is not only the physical radiation but the
light of pure consciousness. The Hindu scriptures say the light is not
only outside one but built inside and the one who meditates deeply can
perceive the inner light Atmajothi within.
The Deepa Jothi whether subjective or objective is the manifestation
of the One Supreme. Oh Thou All Universal Brahman! The light that shines
beyond all things in the highest worlds beyond which there are none
higher is in fact the same light that shines within man - Chandogya
Upanishad.
Happy Deepavali! Let there be Light! |