Deepavali, a row of lights
The significance of lighting lamps everyday and more significantly on Deepavali is that one must illumine the inner self with knowledge and drive away darkness or 'tamas'.
Deepavali means ‘ a row of lights’ – which convey the triumph of good over evil and the celebration of happy tidings and events. Deepavali began with the celebration of Lord Rama’s return along with consort Sitadevi, and dear brother Lakshmana from 14 year exile after vanquishing demon-king Ravana of Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya, illumined the whole city with lamps and burst fire-crackers.
Deepavali is a festival celebrated through all the four days starting from ‘trayodasi’ known as ‘dhanteras’ when many business communities start their financial year from that day. The second day, people burst crackers taking them as the effigies of Demon Naraka, who was killed by Lord Sri Krishna and His consort Satyabhama, on Chathurdasi. Hence it has come to be known as Naraka Chathurdasi.
The third day ‘amavasya’ is specific to Sri Mahalakshmi Puja – She being the presiding deity for wealth and prosperity. She is supposed to be in a very benevolent mood on that day as She was supposed to have married Sri Maha Vishnu on that day. Many people perform Lakshmi-Vishnu Kalyan on that day to get blessings of the primal couple.
The fourth day is ‘Padyami’ – the day when Vishnu, in His incarnation as Vamana,
banished King Bali to ‘Patala loka’ (Nether worlds). Hence is known as ‘Bali Padyami’.
The fifth day is ‘Yama Dwithiya’, when sisters invite their brothers to their homes, serve food, enjoy their love and affection and wish them well. This is popular in south as ‘ Bhagini Hastha Bhojanam’ and in other parts of India is called as ‘Bhai Dhooj.
Wearing new clothes and partaking sweets are also part of festive celebrations. Material wealth accrued by some past merit or ‘punya’ must be utilised to gain spiritual wealth and festivals provide great opportunity for that. We must share joy, not just with family, friends but also with those who are in need of it. That’s why the concept of giving gifts came into existence but we forget the very underlying meaning and flaunt wealth with egoistic attitude.
We all must remember that Deepavali is a festival of lights basically. “ Noise’ is a great pollutant of the environment, and there are many health hazards which are caused by it. Though the Supreme Court and the Apex Court give orders against bursting of crackers and playing loud music, using the loud speakers menacingly, we carry on with the ear splitting noises, under the garb of ‘celebrating’,’ and even ‘praying’.
Let us behave not like a ‘don’t care society’ or ‘unaware society’, but with awareness of what noise pollution can do. Let us all restrain from that cacophony of loud sounds and spread light and warmth of goodness and love - let us all believe in the concept of safe celebration. Deepavali is meant to spread light not take away light from eyes.
