Deepawali
Deepawali the
festival of lights is the five day festival which begins two days before Aswin Amavasya
and ends two days after. Deepawali can be traced back to ancient India when it
was celebrated as post harvest festival.
Many legends are associated
with Deepawali and each day has its own myth and tale to tell. Some people
believe it is festival to celebrate Lord Vishnu’s marriage to Lakshmi. It marks
end of Ram’s and Pandavas exile. Deepawali ends Rule of two Asuras Narak &
Bali. The festival also celebrates love of brothers and sisters.
Deepawali is
celebrated with great pomp by making Rangoli, lighting fire crackers and
illuminating homes with earthen lamps.
Rangoli is a
traditional Indian art of decorating the threshold of the house. Rangoli is
derived from Sanskrit word “Rang” meaning colour and “Aawali” meaning Row. Rangoli
is drawn with rice flour mixed with colours on Threshold of house to welcome
Lakshmi. Colours are important as they influence our emotions and consequently
our decision making process.
Threshold has
importance in symbology as inside the house one feels safe and protected and
outside the house one has to struggle and compete. It’s Dharma inside the home
and Matsya Nyaya (Might is Right) outside the home.
During Vedic Ages
people used Vedic & Occult Symbols, like SriYantra, Shatkon, Panch Lakshmi
or Pentagram, Ashtamangala, in Rangoli. If drawn correctly (in dimensions and
colours) these ancient symbols have power to harness Cosmic Energy. The Knot of
Eternity & Shield Knot (Earth Square) are potently powerful
symbols of unity and purity. These are the symbols of Protection which were
used in Rangoli.
Sadly Colourful and
fashionable floral designs having no Symbolic Meanings adore modern Thresholds today.
In ancient times during
Diwali, Kings and selected warriors, used to display their valor and skill by shooting
arrows, chanting powerful Mantras, into the sky. The power of mantras used to
transform these arrows into sparkling lights, dazzling fireworks and flowers that
rained to the delight of cheering spectators (Subjects of the Kingdom) who use
to gather in battlefield and streets to watch the spectacle.
By shooting arrows in
the Sky, Kings use to symbolically inform the Sky gods that they were grateful
to Gods and Manavas residing on earth are now satisfied with the Harvest and
the wealth churned out from Asuras. Arrows shot in the sky were request sent to
the Sky Gods to end the War against Asuras, the hoarders of Wealth.
Today people burst the
crackers which create Pollution and noise. The festival has become an event to
show off the individual wealth rather than sharing the Joy.
A lamp in India has
always been used to represent prosperity and long life. Lamps with four wicks are
therefore lit during Diwali, to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and
fortune. Here it must be noted that the lamps lit must be in odd numbers.
Symbolically the
earthen lamp is equated with Human Body. The lit lamp symbolizes spiritual
knowledge. The Ghee or oil used as fuel to light the lamp is symbolized as our
Vasanas or negative tendencies and the burning wick is equated with Ahankara/Ego.
When a person gains spiritual knowledge his Vasanas get slowly exhausted like
the ghee in burning lamp & like burning wick, which burns itself out people
pray that their Ahankara/Ego is similarly eradicated.
Shubh Deepawali…………
No comments:
Post a Comment