Deepavali

Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali which literally means “a row of lights.” By lighting rows (avali) of lights (deepa) during the darkest night of Kartik month, the festival symbolizes the victory of the Light (good) over Darkness (evil).

The festival of Deepavali is celebrated on the new moon night (amavasya) during the month of Kartik, which usually falls in between mid-October and mid-November.

Legend

Hindus in the North mainly celebrate this festival to commemorate the legend of Lord Rama’s return to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years. In the South, it is celebrated to mark the vanquishment of a demon named Narakasura at the hands of Lord Krishna.

Significance of Deepavali

Friends and family members gather on Deepavali night to light lamps, burst crackers, and celebrate the night over food and sweets. It is also the period when children hear ancient stories, legends about battles between good and evil or light and darkness from their parents and elders. The Deepavali celebrations usually start two days before the new moon, on the thirteenth day after the full moon (trayodashi). On this day, known as Dhana Trayodashi or Dhanteras, homes and offices are cleaned, renovated and decorated. This day is also known and celebrated as the day God Dhanvantari was born who gave the knowledge of Ayurveda to the world. The next day, which is the fourteenth day after the full moon, is known as Naraka Chaturdashi. Many in South celebrate Naraka Chaturdashi. Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura on this day. On this day people normally wake up early (before sunrise) and have a bath with water and scented oil. This tradition symbolizes the victory of the Divine over Evil. On the third day, which is the day of the new moon (amavasya), the energy that the Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes is invoked and honored. It is believed that on this night she descends on this planet to shower blessings for prosperity and abundance. It is said that she only stays for a longer time in a place where there is love, purity, hard work, sincerity, righteousness and gratefulness. A true Lakshmi Puja is therefore incomplete without all of these qualities.

Spiritual Significance of Deepavali

Deepavali is a time to turn inward and light the lamps of knowledge and truth in our hearts and minds so that we can dispel the darkness and ignorance within us. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is the principle deity associated with this festival. It is a best time to pray and ask her for assistance in cultivating and accumulating spiritual wealth such as compassion, forgiveness, loving and kindness. All wealth (material or spiritual) should be shared with others who are less fortunate. Diwali is also a time to reflect on the various ways we can assist others. On Deepavali day people wake up early at 4:00am. Waking up during the ‘Brahmamuhurta’ (at 4a.m.) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement. The sages instituted this custom with the hope that their descendants would realize its benefits and make it a regular habit in their lives. Twilight holds such significance and Meditation at that time brings most results. It is the time of shift. Shift which can nudge Awareness. And Awareness, even for a few moments, supports Realization. Realization that helps one move from the Untruth to Truth. Diwali is a 5 day process and it is an opportunity to bring such a shift in one’s consciousness. Deepavali is the Shift from the “Dark Fortnight” to “Bright Fortnight” (Darkness to Light). Nature doesn’t need lamps to announce the shift. One should see Deepavali as a Spiritual opportunity rather than a cultural festival. Narakasura and Ravana represent the dark creational energies. Lord Krishna and Ram are glowing existential energies. When the Energy of knowledge and Consciousness prevailed over that of ignorance, Deepavali happened. Even lighting of the lamps on Deepavali holds a significance. One lamp in the center (Atma Jyothi) is lighted first and then the rest of the lamps are lit from it. It means that we must first locate the Self (Atma) then all other abilities are lit. We must first know the real happiness (by knowing our Self), then only we can pass happiness to others.