According to another belief, it is on this day that Lakshmi
emerged from the ocean during the samudra manthan. Lakshmi Puja commemorates her
birth and therefore forms a major part of Diwali celebrations. Being associated
with the goddess of wealth and fortune, Diwali is especially important to the
Vaishya community. Most tradesmen close their old ledgers and dealings and start
afresh with new ledgers after Diwali. This day, with its emphasis on money, is
also considered lucky for gambling. Giving social sanction to a vice, a popular
saying states that one who does not gamble on this day will be born a donkey in
his next birth. Casinos and local gambling houses do brisk business during the
Diwali week. In most homes, people invite their friends and relatives over to
play cards.
Another reason for the celebration of Diwali is that it marks the killing of the
evil Narkasura at the hands of Krishna. Naraka is believed to have abducted 16,
000 women. Krishna killed him and rescued these women whom he later married. Though
Diwali is equally important in the south and the north, the celebrations are markedly
different. In South India, the story widely associated with Diwali is that of
Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Vishnu. According to a legend, Hiranyakshipu
was an evil demon king. He was unjust and cruel to his people. However, he was
almost invincible, having extracted a boon from Brahma that he would be killed
neither by beast nor man, neither inside nor outside, neither during the day nor
at night. When his atrocities became unbearable, the gods sought Vishnu's help.
Assuming his fourth incarnation of Narasimha, the man-lion, Vishnu killed Hiranyakshipu
with his claws in the courtyard just before daybreak, hence steering clear of
the boundaries of the boon.
For this reason in the south, people light diyas in their houses on the day preceding
Diwali. The next day begins early. First is the ritual bath, which begins with
an oil massage of the hair and body. This is absolutely essential on this day.
Its importance probably refers to cleaning oneself thoroughly after the monsoon
months. After bathing, people receive new clothes and gifts from their elders,
which they are expected to wear. The family then prays to Vishnu for its well
being and prosperity. |
After the prayers start the main celebrations which, as in the north, consist
of bursting crackers and lighting candles. At daybreak, all celebrations end.
People then visit friends and relatives and exchange sweets. References to the
word 'atishbaji' or 'crackers' are found even in ancient literature. The bursting
of crackers is today the most important and eagerly awaited part of the Diwali
celebrations. According to one belief, the sound that resounds throughout the
universe makes all aware of the great homecoming of Rama. Another belief is that
the crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on the earth, making
the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has amore
scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects, found
in plenty after the rains.
In the Western part of India, the legend relates to a demon monarch who performed
penance that the gods in heaven began to feel threatened. So Lord Vishnu assumed
the form of a dwarf Vamana and came down to the earth as the fifth incarnation.
At that time, the demon king was performing a great sacrifice on the earth, in
the true Vedic traditions. It was believed that he satisfied all those came to
him, by giving them promised gifts. Vamana went to him. Bali said that Vamana
was late and that he had very little to give him. Vamana asked for just three
steps. The demon king felt reassured. He laughed and granted the request. The
dwarf measured the earth with his first step, growing enormously in size as he
did so. With another he measured the heaven. "Where do I keep my third step?"
he asked Bali. Bali realized that was none other than the Lord himself and so
bowed and offered his head for the third step. When Bali was vanquished, the Lord
also released prisoners of Bali, among which were Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth
and Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. When Lakshmi and Ganesh came down to earth,
they brought great prosperity to the people. |
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