Diwali (12Th to 16Th November 2020) from Darkness to Light
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Diwali (12th to 16th November 2020) From Darkness to light. Diwali, a.k.a Deepavali is a major Indian festival spread over 5 days that is very significant in Hinduism known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps (diyas) are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. "Regardless of the explanations one prefers, what the festival of lights really stands for today is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple Ð and some not so simple Ð joys of life." Before we continue with this most humble rendition of Deepavali by the mercy of our most loving and merciful Mother Sarasvati we yet again read in the papers and we have received so many calls and emails on ªWhen are we supposed to celebrate Diwali this yearº. I am sure you have heard of this and we in this article are going to explain it in a rather simple yet dignified manner. Please note as you have read from the many articles that we send out we are totally against segregation we are fully for congregation regardless of one©s color, creed, dialect, race and whatever else that is distasteful. OK to cut a rather long and tedious story short let's get to the bottom of the Diwali issue. Please hold on to your seats because the information that you are going to read is going to be rather shocking to say the least. Firstly there is no such word as Hindu (Hinduism). In the Vedic shastras there is no mention of the word Hinduism. The proper term is Sanatan Dharma (the Eternal way of life). Note I didn't say religion because Sanatan Dharma not a religion it's an exact science. There where two different cultures approximately 1500 years ago that was residing on the opposite sides of the INDUS River. Indus River if you don't know cuts right through the middle of ªmodernº Pakistan. How the word Hindu came about is that the Muslim people from the west side of the INDUS River could not pronounce the word ªindusº they said ªhindusº. What I mean is that when they called the people that stayed across of the Indus River they called them Hindus and thus the name stuck. Hence from about 1500 years ago you would notice the word Hindu being mentioned rather often. (Stay with me I am getting to the point). We Sanatanists have adapted a lot of things the Muslims do which is not really Sanatan. So Sanatan Dharma encompasses those of who speak Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Telegu etc. Now what really upset me is when the so called ªeldersº of the societies started using the term Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati for their own propagation. These are just dialects that's all and these days it has become a platform to promote one's ego. And mind you a really megaginomous ego. Oh ªI am Tamil or Hindiº. Where did ªaham brahmaasmi (from the Brhad ± aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10) ± ªI am not this body I am spirit soulº ± (The Soul b.t.w has no creed, caste, dialect, race etc attached to it) go to? It's so frustrating to see people fight amongst themselves when they should be promoting peace, harmony and congregation amongst fellow Sanatanists rather than confusion, instability and segregation. So you see there is no Tamil Diwali or Hindi Diwali. Diwali is celebrated over 5 days but especially on KARTIK Amavasya (new moon) night which falls on the 14th November. I am sure you are shocked now aren't you. Well we shall further discuss this below. To avoid confusion for now we shall for the time being call ourselves Hindus. When is Diwali celebrated in 2020:- Deepavali is celebrated over a period of 5 days beginning from the 12th to the 16th November. Amavasya (New Moon) is observed over two days the 14th and 15th November in South Africa. BUT THE MAIN DAY WILL FALL ON THE 14TH NOVEMBER DUE TO INTRICACIES OF THE VEDIC CALENDER. Because Diwali falls over 5 days, one can conclude that that one is free to observe Diwali on any of the 5 days depending on which of the significance one attaches to it, or one may observe all five days. The more the better I rather say. Diwali is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited Hindus festivals around the world. Hindus regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the year in some Hindu calendars. The Deepavali lights represent the time when Shree Raam returned from the forest, and all about in Ayodyhya lit lamps to welcome their most beloved Lord back home after fourteen years of exile. Many do believe that when the lamps are lit this helps Mother Lakshmi find her way into people©s homes. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dipa or deeya (earthen lamp). Diwali is a colloquial name used in North India, while the festival is formally called Deepavali in South India. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means an array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished, the name was popularly modified to Diwali, especially in northern India. In South India, Diwali does not coincide with the beginning of a new year as South Indians Hindus follow a different calendar, the Shalivahana calender while in North India Hindus follow the Vikrama calendar, where it falls on the New moon in the month of Kartik (this year this day falls on 14th and 15th November). Hindus find cause to celebrate this festival for variegated reasons namely... * It commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon who created havoc and was killed by Lord Krishna Himself. Before Narakasura©s death, he requested a boon from his mother (Mother Earth), that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light. * According to the Skanda Purana, Mother Parvati observed 21 days of austerity starting from ashtami of shukla paksha (eighth day of the waxing period of moon) to get half of the body of her dear husband Lord Shiva. This vrat (austerity) is known as Kedhara Vrata. Deepavali is the completion day of this austerity. This is the day Lord Shiva accepted Mother Parvati into the left half of his form and appeared as Ardharishvara. * Diwali also celebrates the return of Shree Ramachandra, King of Ayodhya, with His wife Sita and brother Shree Lakshmanji to Ayodhya from a war in which He killed the demon king Ravana. People lit oil lamps along the way to light Their path in the darkness. * In Bhavishyottara and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Diwali is associated with Bali Maharaja, who is allowed to return to earth once a year. The Five days of Diwali Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of India. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. A lunar half month is 15 days. Diwali as a newmoon day marks the last day of a 15day period. Diwali being festival of lights, across India people celebrate it via symbolic diyas or kandils (colorful paper lanterns) as an integral part of Diwali decorations. 1) Dhantrayodashi or dhan teras (12th November 2020): Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day". Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the dark lunar Vedic month. Prior to sunset on the morning of the 12th you should keep a tray (thari), which should have scattered white rice grains, as well as a ghee/oil lamp with a wick. Light this lamp, at the main door (FRONT DOOR) of the house, the flame facing south and you should pray to the Lord in the form of Yamaraj (the Vedic Deity of death), to be spared from untimely death. One should maintain a strict vegetarian diet on this day ± but this is optional. Akash Deepa Dhan is performed on this day as well. AKASH DEEP DHAN PUJA PROPER:- This puja/prayer is dedicated to the Supreme couple Shree LakshmiNarayana/Vishnu. It is performed in the evening (after sunset). Requirements for this special Puja are as follows:- 8 small clay lamps (diya) with oil or ghee and wicks for Mother Lakshmi Devi. 1 large Clay lamp (diya) with oil or ghee & a wick for Lord Narayan/Vishnu. One small lota Milk, 9 betel leaves, 3 whole flowers, Sweets (like Jalebi, Laddo, Channa Magaj, etc), Chandan (Sandalwood paste). PROCEDURE/PREPARATION: In a large rectangular tray, arrange the 9 betel leaves and lamps like the picture on the next page. EAST NORTH WEST Now dot the outside of each diya with chandan. Place the small clay lamps on the betel leaves, in a circle in 8 directions and the large clay lamp in the centre of the tray. Place the flower petals, sweets and a small lota milk on the tray. Next light the diyas inside the house or outside. Next take the tray outside one©s home and in the open area and place in a clean area under the skies. Now recite the following mantra a few times or if you have a favored LakshmiNarayan mantra you can chant that mantra. Om Shree Hreem Kleem LakshmeeNaaraayanaaye Namah While chanting the above mantra offer the milk in a clean place in your yard. Leave the tray outside, overnight the following morning pick up the tray and place the puja items in a clean place under a tree.