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>> Bali Maharaja, who had 
captured Laksmi, was defeated on this day by Lord Krishna's dwarf brahmana 
incarnation, Vamanadeva.<<
 
This is Day 4 of Deepawali, as th ename indicates Bali Padyami 9day after 
Deepawali
ammvasya).
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Manikandan Koottala <koottala@xxxxxxxxx>
To: bhagavadsannidiyilek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; srirangasri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 
forum_for_vedanta_and_science@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 05:29:31 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [SriRangaSri] Diwali (Dipavali)







Diwali (Dipavali) Diwali ? the Hindu New Year ? is a five-day festival. 
Anecdotes from the Puranas abound for each of the days. Diwali can be observed 
by illuminating hundreds of candles in different parts of the temple and 
offering various preparations of food to the Deity. This ceremony was observed 
by the inhabitants of Ayodhya while Lord Rama was in exile, away from His 
kingdom. The joyful day on which Lord Rama returned is observed as Diwali, or 
Dipavali ("dipa" means candles, and "vali" means numerous.) During a different 
era, this was also the day on which Lord Krishna performed His childhood 
pastime 
of breaking the pots of yogurt and letting Himself be bound by Mother Yashoda. 
 

 
The Five Days of Diwali (Dipavali)

The First Day of Diwali

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Trayodasi, also Dhan Theras. It 
is 
the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh (the dark fortnight) of the month of 
Kartika. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared, delivering Ayurvedic medicine 
for mankind. 

This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, 
Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps with prasada (sanctified food) to Yamaraja 
(the 
Lord of Death) and pray for protection from untimely death. 



The Second Day of Diwali
The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth 
lunar 
day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika and the eve of Diwali. On 
this 
day, Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 
princesses which the demon held captive. 



The Third Day of Diwali (actual Diwali)
This is the actual day of Diwali, the Hindu New Year, when worship unto Mother 
Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families 
and 
their Pandit (priest) and worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of 
Lord Vishnu, to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, and triumph of 
good over evil and light over darkness. Historically, Bali Maharaja, who had 
captured Laksmi, was defeated on this day by Lord Krishna's dwarf brahmana 
incarnation, Vamanadeva. This is also the day on which Lord Rama returned to 
Ayodhya, having successfully rescued Sita and defeated the demon, Ravana. (See: 
"Origins of Diwali," below.) 



The Fourth Day of Diwali
On this day, Govardhana Puja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord 
Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhana Puja. From then on, 
every year, Hindus worship Govardhana to honour that first Puja done by the 
people of Vraja. 

It is written in the Ramayana that when the bridge to Lanka was being built by 
the Vanara army, Hanuman (a divine loyal servant of Lord Rama possessing 
enormous strength) was bringing a mountain as material to help with the 
construction of the bridge. When a call was given that enough materials had 
already been obtained, Hanuman placed the mountain down before He reached the 
construction site. Due to lack of time, he did not return the mountain to its 
original place. 

The deity presiding over this mountain spoke to Hanuman asking of his reason 
for 
leaving the mountain there. Hanuman replied that the mountain should remain 
there until the age of Dvapara when Lord Rama incarnates as Lord Krishna, who 
will shower His grace on the mountain, and will instruct that the mountain be 
worshiped not only in that age but but in ages to come. This deity whom Hanuman 
spoke to was none other than Govardhana (an incarnation of Lord Krishna), who 
manifested Himself in the form of the mountain. 

To fulfill this decree, Govardhan Puja was performed and this celebration is 
continued to this day.



The Fifth Day of Diwali
The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after 
Govardhana Puja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a 
day 
dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well 
this is sisters day. 

Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamaraja, the Lord of Death) visited 
His 
sister, Yamuna, on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (boon) that whoever 
visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve 
moksha, or liberation.

>From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their 
welfare, and many faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Yamuna river.

This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.

This day is also known as Bhai Fota among Bengalis. Bhai Fota is an event 
especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother's safety, 
success and well being.



The Origin of Diwali
According to the epic Ramayana, Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, an 
incarnation of Krishna and the eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from 
his 
14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after killing Ravana, a demon king. The 
people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and 
fireworks to celebrate the return of their king. 

In rural areas of India, Diwali, which occurs at the end of a growing season, 
signifies Harvest Festival. Harvests normally spelt prosperity. After reaping 
their harvest, farmers celebrated with joy and offered praises to God for 
granting them a good crop. 

At the time of the reign of Emperor Prithu, for example, there was a worldwide 
famine. He ordered that all available cultivatable lands be ploughed. When the 
rains came, the land became very fertile and grains were planted. The harvest 
provided food not only to feed all of India, but for all civilisation at the 
time. This harvest was close to Diwali time and was a good reason to celebrate 
Diwali with great joy and merriment by a wider community. 

When Lord Krishna destroyed Narakasura on the day before Diwali, the news of it 
travelled very rapidly throught the land. It gave people who were already in a 
joyful mood another reason for celebrating Diwali with greater pride and 
elaboration. 

In the Adi Parva of the Mahabarata, the Pandavas returned from the forest 
during 
Diwali time. Once more, the celebrations extended beyond the boundaries of 
India 
to wherever Hindus lived.

 




        
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