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 Amma Sri Karunamayi's Special Deepawali eNewsletter October 28, 2013 |
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| Extract from Amma's Divine Deepawali (Diwali) discourse at the
Karunamayi Shanti Dhama, Bangalore in 2003
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 'Slay the inner demons and light the inner lamps.
The first day of Diwali is "Narak Chaturdashi" where the demon Narakaasura was slayed by Lord Krishna. Narakaasura represents the negative forces within us. There is a Narakaasura residing in each and every one of us, portrayed through our acts and words. Surrender to Divine Mother and pray to Her to annihilate this demon. Since time immemorial, the practice of lighting lamps in the house has been prevalent in India. The lamp, deepa, is symbolic of cosmic Consciousness. By lighting the lamps, we are praying to Divine Mother to light the inner lamps and dispel all darkness. Worshipping Sri Maha Lakshmi during Diwali destroys poverty on all levels.Chanting Samputita Sri Suktam produces a tremendous amount of energy. Beejas, seed letters embedded in this stotram, activate the granthis, knots in our  subtle body, and take us to higher levels of consciousness. When we meditate and go within, w e will be able to visualize the splendid and glorious colors of the cosmos. Pray to Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi to always reside in our homes. Our house should be a temple of peace. Sri Lakshmi dwells in those homes that follow the practices of lighting a lamp, blowing the conch, worshipping Tulasi and offering daily prayers to Divine Mother. Contentment is indicative of Divine Mother's grace.We need more intensity in our sadhana, spiritual practice. Good thoughts and habits bring prosperity and contentment. Anyone who has received abundant divine grace will possess the treasure of contentment. Whenever we approach Divine Mother with total faith and surrender, She will drench us with Her love and bless us with more than we ask for. If we ever get deviated from our path, adhere to satya, truth, and Divine Mother will protect us. Let us pray to bring light in our life and in the life of others. Let us share our treasures of wealth, contentment and divine knowledge with others to ease their pain and suffering. Let us pray collectively for darkness to be dispelled from the society and for our hearts to be filled with cosmic light. Let us pray to be always immersed in Divine Mother's infinite, enveloping grace'. |
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The Meaning and Significance of the Deepawali (Diwali) Festival
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May Mother Lakshmi grace Her children with absolute inner purity,
divine light, auspicious virtues, and an abundance of inner beauty.
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Deepawali or Diwali is certainly the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It's the festival of lights (deep = light and awali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that's marked by five days of celebration and joy. Each of the five days in the festival of Deepawali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.
The Origin of Diwali
Historically, the origin of Deepawali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Deepawali. Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism, Deepawali has an added significance to the great event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana. Deepawali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.
These Five Days
Regional Names of the Days of Deepawali/Diwali: Day 1 - Nov.1: Dhanteras / Dhantheran / Dhantrayodashi / Dhanwantari Triodasi / Yamadeepdaan / Dhan Teyras
Day 2 - Nov. 2: Choti Deepawali / Kali Chaudas / Narak Chaturdashi
Day 3 - Nov. 3: Main Deepawali / Baddi Diwali / Diwali Mela / Lakshmi Puja
Day 4 - Nov. 4: Pratipat / Padwa Puja / Gudi Padwa / Govardhan Puja / Annakoot
Day 5 - Nov. 5: Dvitiya / Bhai Duj / Bhhaya Dooj / Bhai Beej Each day of Deepawali has its own tale, legend and myth to tell. Dhanteras marks the first day of five-days-long Deepawali Festival. Dhanteras falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November). In the word Dhanteras, "Dhan" stands for wealth. On Dhanteras Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Hence Dhan Teras holds a lot more significance for the business community.A very interesting story about Dhanteras says that once the sixteen year old son of King Hima was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all her gold ornaments, gold and silver coins in a large heap at the entrance of her husband's room and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. She then went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there the whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death. Accoring to the myth Dhanteras is also celebrated in honor of Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods. He is believed to have emerged with a pot of amrita during the samudra manthan .The buying of utensils, according to one theory, relates to the myth of Dhanvantari emerging from the ocean with a pot in his hand. Since he is also the physician of the gods, cleanliness and hygiene are essential to this festival. The second day of the Deepawali festival, Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Naraka's mother Bhudevi declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. This day is also known as "Bali Pratipada". The word "Pratiprada" literally means "below the opponent's foot". According to the myth Bali was an immensely powerful king. When the Lord felt that King Bali was becoming too powerful, Vishnu, disguised as a sage of diminutive proportions, appeared in his court. Bali offered to fulfill any of the sage's wishes. The sage asked for all the land he could cover in three paces. King Bali agreed immediately. Vishu then assumed a gigantic form and claimed the world (Mrityuloka), and the heavens (Swargloka) in two paces. To keep his foot down the third time, he asked for King Bali's head. Bali agreed. Thus, the reign of Bali was overthrown.
This day is celebrated in South India by some different rituals. People wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads.
In Maharashtra also, traditional early baths with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders are a `must'. Afterward steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the tyrant Bali, and banished him to hell. Bali was allowed to return to earth once a year, to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkn  ess and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. It is on the third day of Deepawali - Kartika Shudda Padyami that Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon given by Lord Vishnu.
The fourth day, Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month. Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the New Year day by Maharashtrians. Gudi Padwa is also known as Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This festival marks the beginning of the spring season .This festival symbolizes love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. In North India Govardhan-Puja is also performed on this day. This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna. People of Gokul used to worship Indra regularly. But in one particular year the young Krishna stopped them. In anger Lord Indra sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. However, Krishna saved his Gokul by lifting up the Govardhan Mountain and holding it over the people as an umbrella. Annakut - This day is also observed as Annakut - meaning mountain of food. In temples specially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given milk bath, dressed in shining attire with ornaments. After the prayers and traditional worship varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach the mountain of food and take prasadam. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj). Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare. That is why this day of Bhai Duj is also known by the name of "Yama Dvitiya" Another story behind the origin of Bhai Duj says that when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained nirvana, his brother King Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during Bhai Duj.
The Significance of Lights & Firecrackers
All the simpl  e rituals of Deepawali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state.
From Darkness Unto Light...
In each legend, myth and story of Deepawali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light - the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity.
Deepawali Sadhana Guidelines
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| Sacred Ceremonies at Amma's Penusila Ashram
| Deepawali Maha Lakshmi Homa
On Sunday, November 3, a very special fire ceremony will be performed, in the presence of Her Holiness Amma Sri Karunamayi. This beautiful act of worship will be performed in order to increase global wealth of all kinds. If you would like to sponsor this special event, your name, and the names of your loved ones, will be recited by the priests at Penusila Ashram as the homa begins. You'll later received blessed prasad (offerings) directly from the homa ceremony for additional blessings.
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All proceeds from sponsorships will help support Amma's loving mission of peace, including her housing project and free medical programs for the poor. For more information about how you can sponsor these and other acts of worship, please click here.
Sri Ganesha is always honored at the beginning of any important endeavor, and since any puja or homa is a most noble and sacred duty, it is especially important to worship Sri Ganesha first.
Doing this attracts Sri Maha Ganesha's divine grace for complete success and ensures that everyone works with intelligence, determination, and duty-mindedness.
For more information, please click here.
Go Mata (Mother Lakshmi) Puja
Mother Lakshmi is considered to reside in Go Mata, or Mother Cow. Cows contain a very peaceful sattwic energy, and they are a tremendous support for prosperity, providing milk, yogurt and ghee, as well as manure, which acts as fertilizer to help crops grow. Since ghee is a necessary ingredient for any homa, which creates prosperity, peace and purity on a subtle level, cows are very important in Hindu dharma. As cows are providing such valuable and sacred items, we must honor, respect, and worship Mother Cow.
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Focused Offerings at the Amma Store
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This Deepawali, let us all pray to Mother Lakshmi to remove all the darkness and poverty from everyone's lives, and to fill all our hearts with the sparkling golden light of peace, love, truth, and spiritual joy.
Amma Sri Karunamayi News
SMVA Trust, Inc Suresh Pandav enews@karunamayi.org communications@karunamayi.org |
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