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| The Diwali period comprises
of a joyful series of 8 festivals commencing on 'Ramaa Ekadashi'
- Aso vad 11. This is followed by 'Dhan Teras' - vad 13, 'Kali Chaudash'
- vad 14 and 'Diwali' - vad 15 or 'Amaas' - the last day of the
Indian calendar year. The Diwali festivities continue the next day
- New Year's Day known as 'Nutan Varsh' - Kartik sud 1, 'Bhai Beej'
- Kartik sud 2 and 'Labh Pancham' - Kartik sud 5. |
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| This is also known as
'Govatsa dwadashi' and 'Guru Dwadashi'. On this day the cow and
calf are offered pujan. 'Vagh' here refers to repaying one's financial
debts. Therefore people clear their account books today and do not
enter into new transactions, using new ledgers until after Labh
Pancham. |
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'Dhan' means wealth. In
the past cows formed a person's wealth. Over time both were offered
pujan on this day. Today, Hindu Dharma's scriptures have advocated
procuring wealth only through the codes of Dharma - by the sweat
of one's brow. According to the Law of Karma, wealth acquired by
any other means will create discord in one's life as well as in
society. Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth, and Lakshmi - in the form
of currency are offered pujan (worship).
The latent sentiment is that this purifies our earnings and so that
we may use it with 'vivek' (discrimination). It is said that wealth
used for self is termed 'Dhan', that for others - 'Lakshmi', that
for unethical purposes - 'alakshmi' (sinful) and that for God -
'Mahalakshmi.'
The sentiment underlying Lakshmi pujan is that the Lakshmi-'wealth'
we have acquired is ultimately the result of God's grace. For this
we thank Him on this day. |
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This festival occurs on
Aso vad 14, also known as 'Narak Chaturdashi' because Lord Krishna
vanquished Narkaasur. Devotees pray and ofter pujan to Hanumanji
to remove inauspiciousness and fear of evil spirits and beings.
Origin
The evil king Narkaasur, also known as Bhaumaasur, of Prag-Jyotishpur,
confiscated all the beautiful and valuable objects in the world.
Rampaging through the 3 'lokas', he also looted the ear-rings of
Aditi, mother of the devas.
When the devas prayed for succor, Shri Krishna and Satyabhama vanquished
Narkaasur, releasing the 16,000 women captives. In jubilation, the
devas celebrated the occasion by lighting 'divas'. When Narkaasur
lay dying, he prayed to Shri Krishna, 'Let those who bathe before
sunrise on my death anniversary not go to hell.' The Lord granted
the boon.
In essence this means that one who has been enlightened within -
become 'Brahmarup' - will not fear death.
For this we need to eradicate our 51 'bhutas', namely: Maya's 3
'gunas', 10 'indriyas', 10 'pranas', 4 'antahkarans', 5 'bhutas',
5 'vishayas' and 14 'devatas' of the indriyas - by obeying the Satpurush.
In becoming brahmarup and offering devotion to Parabrahma, we truly
celebrate Kali Chaudash.
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- Vagh Baras
- Dhan Teras
- Kali Chaudash
- Diwali
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