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Hello All,

I wish you and your family, friends, near and dear........

A very happy, safe and delightful Diwali/Deepavali wishes (17/10/09).

Deepavali, or Diwali, is a major Indian festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. It is celebrated by people across the globe as the "Festival of Lights", where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists. While Deepavali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". The word "Diwali" is a modification of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali". 'Deepa' means "light of the dharma", and 'avali' means "a continuous line". The more literal translation is "rows of clay lamps". Firecrackers and fireworks are popular on the eve of Diwali. Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the ‘Atman’. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this Inner Light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman, come universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (Inner Joy or Peace). The festival marks the victory of good over evil, and uplifting of spiritual darkness.

Diwali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Deepavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same – to rejoice in the Inner Light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman). Indians pray to Gods on Diwali. According to one theory Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian (or agricultural) society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, Goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent. In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepavali, or simply shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura (celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi). In western India it is also in honor of the day King Bali went to rule the nether/under-world by the order of Vishnu.

Diwali is celebrated on the first New moon day of the lunar Kartika month (although the celebrations begin two days prior and end two days after that day), which comes in the month of October or November. The grand celebrations of Diwali spread through five days. The First day is Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanteras. 'Dhan' means "wealth" and 'Trayodashi/Teras' means "13th day". It is an auspicious day for shopping of utensils and gold. Naraka Chaturdashi or Kali Chaudas is the Second day on which demon Narakasura was killed. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Lakshmi Puja marks the most important (Third) day of Diwali celebrations. Hindu homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, and then light lamps all across the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being. Govardhan Puja is performed on the Fourth day also called Annakut, celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra. Lord Krishna taught people to worship nature, as mountains bring rains to earth. For Annakut, a mountain of food is decorated symbolizing Govardhan mountain lifted by Lord Krishna. In Maharashtra it is celebrated as Padva or Bali-Pratipada, commemorating King Bali. The Fifth day is Bhaiduj, on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection for each other.

As per spiritual references, on this day "Lakshmi-Panchayatan" enters the Universe. Sri Vishnu, Sri Indra, Sri Kuber, Sri Gajendra and Sri Lakshmi are elements of this "Panchayatan" (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are:

1) Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)
2) Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)
3) Kubera: Wealth (Generosity; one who gives away wealth)
4) Gajendra: Carries the wealth
5) Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.

There are two legends that associate the worship of ‘Goddess Lakshmi’ on this day. According to first one, on this day, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan. The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the Vamana avatar of Vishnu, the incarnation he took to kill the demon king Bali, thereafter it was on this day, that Vishnu came back to his abode, the Vaikuntha, so those who worship Lakshmi (Vishnu's consort) on this day, get the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.

On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day. Diwali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers are thankful for the plentiful bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marks the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and the last major celebration before winter. The deity of Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

Many many happy returns of the day.

All the best and take care….

With thanks, regards and best wishes,
G.Srikanth.