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What is Deepavali?

Since my childhood I have been celebrating Deepavali* like most children would have and currently still do. We used to look forward to this festival where we could buy new clothes ( in fact two to three pairs- one for the previous night, another to wear in the morning to burst crackers and the third set on the deepavali night) It was a joyous occasion with all the neighbours, friends and relatives joining together to burst crackers, visiting each other and needless to say to devour loads and loads of 'Bakshanam ' ( Sweets and savouries).

We never bothered to find out why Deepavali was and is being celebrated. We just celebrated it. But isn't it fair to know and understand what this festival stood for/stands for? 

Many of us believe that Deepavali is the celebration of the victory of Good over evil when Rama* returns to Ayodhya after killing the Asura* Ravana*, while others may believe that Deepavali is a celebration of victory of good over evil. 

Let us find out what the Ramayans says about Deepavali.

Sarga 77, the last one in the Bala-Kanda* describes the entry of Dasaratha* and party into Ayodhya*. 

The Ananda Ramayana* by Sage Valmiki* narrates further ceremonies in continuation of the marriage for which Janaka* invited Dasaratha and party to Mithila. In the month of Aswini Janaka deputed his ministers to invite Dasaratha and his family for Deepavali festival to be celebrated at Mithila*.

This denotes that Deepavali was celebrated ages before the period of Ramayana.

Accordingly, Dasaratha and party proceeded to Mithila and were welcomed by Janaka. 

The illumination on the Deepavali day is in honour of the happy reign of Bali*. Every house is in merriment on that occasion.  

Now, Bali was an Asura and the enemy of the Devas*.

Who was Bali?

Why then is Deepavali day celebrated in his honour?

Why are no similar celebrations found in honour of Ravana and Kumbha-Karna, Hiranyaksha and Hiranya-kasipu etc.?

Who or what is an Asura?

Who are what is a Deva?

Bali refers to complete and willing renunciation. As an Asura, he represents a dharmic ( spiritual)  devotee who is still attached to worldly desires. Bali’s rule over the three worlds therefore, denotes the highest stage of Vairagya at which the Asura is transformed into a Deva (or a shining entity, to whom the bright Lokas in the regions of Gnana become visible).

Any attempt to interpret this historically or geologically would be simple insanity or perfect hypocrisy. The appearance of the shining Lokas* consequent on the complete renunciation of material desires, is verily the Itihasic* significance of the Deepavali which is doubtless the most appropriate occasion for illumination and merriment to every religious Hindu.

Janaka’s invitation for Deepavali thus points here to the religious ( read as dharmic) advancement naturally resulting from the close connection with the divine Sita.

Foot notes in alphabetical order:

Asura

Asuras and Rakshasas are not the so called demons or cannibals who eat the flesh of human beings and rule the nether world.  They are our lower desires 

Ayodhya

Ayodhya represents the body of the Gnana-yogi ( one who has known and understood the self)  wherein the Atma reigns supreme, the Jiva and Indriya-devatas being the inhabitants of the city.

The city of the Devas is Ayodhya. The Devas refer to the Satwic mind and Budhi of man. Firmness in Tapas alludes to Devas, and destruction of Tapas to the Asuras. Vide Santhi-parva

Bala Kanda

In the Ramayana Bala-Kanda, begins with the birth of Rama and his  brothers and ends with Sita’s marriage and Parasurama’s defeat.  The contents of this Kanda as well as of the subsequent ones are generally told everywhere as mere stories in various languages

Bali

Bali refers to complete and willing renunciation. Mahabali does not refer to any Demon king who was pushed to the netherworld.

Dasaratha

Dasaratha means the owner of 10 Rathas (chariots)  It refers to one who has complete control over the 10 Indriyas ( Five senses and five sensory organs)

Deva

Devas refer to religious/dharmic acts performed without any desire for material prosperity. 

Deepavali

Spiritual advancement by renouncing all material desires and becoming a shining entity is called Deepavali.

Hiranya-Kasipu

Hiranyam means gold or riches and Kashipu means a pillow or bed.Hiranya Kashipu naturally applies to a person who having acquired wealth is unwilling to spend, but clings to it with great attachment. Hiranya-aksha- Aksha or eyes ever in quest of wealth or money. Both Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu also refers to Asuras.

Itihasa and Purana

Itihasa is not history as misinterpreted by many.

Itihasa and Puranas are authoritatively assured to be legitimate commentaries of the Vedas, furnishing detailed information on many a subtle and vital point in an 'exquisitely dramatic style so that the explanations offered might appeal to the ignorant masses.  There is absolutely no Indian history and no earthy geographies in the whole concern. 

Several abstract matters are explained in the 'guise' of human transactions with a view to render them understandable to the ordinary folk. Every abstract subject could only be grasped mentally.  But when it is explained in a concretised form in strict accordance with the ordained rules by the help of Vedic terms it is called "Itihasa’. Iti-hasa (Iti-Haasya) plainly means 'in this funny manner'.  This process was adopted for the edification of the ordinary people.  

When a highly abstract religious conception is explained as a technical moorti consisting of symbols in physical form which specifically refer to the components parts of the abstract conception itself, it is religiously known as an Itihasa.

Janaka

Janaka denotes concentration of mind.  “Janaka means that which originates true knowledge or that which all the wise resort to.”

Kumbha-Karna

Kumbhakarna represents the Tamasic section of Ahamkara-Tatwam 

Mithila

Mithila means solitude

Ravana

Ravana represents the Ahamkara-Tatwam

Ramayana

In Sanskrit Rama means virtue.  Ayana means Path. How to lead a virtuous path is referred as Ramayana. Ramayana is the application of the Gayatri mantra to purify the Buddhi/intellect of human beings.  Valmiki as a rishi refers to the actual experience of the process called Ramayana.

Rishi

Rishi refers to the actual experience of the Buddhi of  a human being

Valmiki

Valmiki as a rishi refers to the actual experience of the process called Ramayana.

Sources:

Ananda Ramayana by Valmiki

Bala Kanda -Sarga 77

Sri Jabala-Darsana-upanishad

Sri Rama Uttarapani Upanishad

HV Nath

What is Navratri, DurgaAshtami and Dussehra?

Navratri, DurgAshtami, Dussehra

As many people in different parts of the world celebrate Durga Ashtami it is important to understand the significance of Durga Pooja or Durga Ashtami.

“The term Prakriti is explained as follows in accordance with its root meaning.

In the Vedas Pra means superior or first and Kriti is creation. Pra again means Satwa, Kri Reja and Ti Tama.

Prakriti thus represents the all-powerful Sakti possessing the three Gunas. The Atma divided itself into two, the male on the right side and the female on left which is known as Prakriti. The two stands in the relation of fire and its heat, and the Yogis therefore do not recognize any difference between male and female.

In her act of creation, Prakriti is distinguished as of five forms.

1. Durga, the mother of Lord Ganesa, is the first form representing the underlying principle of all the
vegetable and other lives.

2. Lakshmi is the second form representing the glories observable in heaven and earth.

3. Saraswati is the third form representing the real knowledge that removes all doubts.

4. Savitri or Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas, Sandhya, Mantras and Tantras, is the fourth form
representing the Brahmaic lustre and energy.

5. Radha, residing in Go-loka in the form of a Gopi is the fifth form representing the five vital airs.

She is seen by the Yogis by meditation according to the methods prescribed in the Vedas. Sak means glory and Ti is valour. Sakti is the form of both. Bhaga means prosperity and Buddhi and Bhagavati is their form. Radha and Sarva-mangala allude to the power of granting liberation. Amba means mother of the Jagat.

Being created by Vishnu, she is Vaishnavi. Gowri means the Sakti pertaining to the Gurus or masters, namely Siva and Krishnaa. Parvati refers to the Parvas or the holy festive occasions on which she is worshipped. Sanatani means existing without Gunas at all times and places. Kritika refers to the Kalas of Prakriti representing the six Yogas.

Durga refers to the Sakti of Hari that destroys fear, enemies, diseases and sins. The Sakti that bestows the highest bliss is called Sivaa. Abhaya refers to the destruction of fear. The Sakti that bestows prosperity and liberation is called Maya and Vishnu-Bhakti. Narayani means born from half the body of Narayana. Jaya means granting victory.”

Durga also refers to knowledge. The four arms of Durga refers to managing the aham (ego), Gunas, the sword or mace to ward off evil and lower desires.

Similarly “Para-Sakti verily signifies Samvit or Gnana and nothing else. Therefore, she should ever be worshipped by man. Everything misconceived by man as different from her or as not belonging to Her, is technically styled Samsara. For the purpose of removing the miseries of this Samsara therefore, man should worship this goddess who is in the form of Atma and is free from the illusion of this ephemeral Jagat.

This goddess represents in reality the purified Budhi ( intellect) of a human which discerns correctly that the illusory Jagat in itself is but the manifestation of Siva or Atma.  She is technically known as Sivaa and Samvit.  No doubts should be entertained of this fact.”

Asuras and Rakshasas are not the so called demons or cannibals (Annie Besant’s mis interpretations in Sanatana Dharma) who eat the flesh of human beings and rule the nether world.  They are our lower desires which need to be destroyed by Pranayama (breathing out of the Asuras & breathing in the Devas).                

Mahisham in Sanskrit also refers to ignorance or lower desires. Rakshasas also denote the diminution in the duration of the day and metaphorically refers to the sins of man that obstruct the real knowledge of Brahman’.

Durga Ashtami refers to the knowledge acquired to kill ignorance to ward off lower desires. (Mahisasura-mardhini)

The Ten days of the festival or Pooja refers to the purification of the ten Indriyas- Five Karma Indriyas and Five Gnana Indriyas of human beings by the necessary spiritual practices symbolically pointed out during the festivities for the ten days.

Five Karma Indriyas (active expressions): eliminating, reproducing, moving, grasping, and speaking– Five Gnana Indriyas (cognitive senses): smelling, tasting, hearing, touching, seeing) 

The Vigraha of Durga or any ‘Vigraha’ refers to deep analysis and understanding that all that is here is Ishwara/Brahman and that Ishwara is "you".

• Trident represents the three Gunas; 
• Four hands signify Satwa, Rejas, Tamas and Ahamkara.  
• Sanka (conch) represents five subtle elements and is placed in the hand which denotes Rejas. 
• Chakra ( discus) refers to "Manas" ( mind" which is unaltered like that of a child, 
• Sarang (bow) represents Satwic Maya, 
• Mace ( gadha) which is always (to battle the  ignorance), 
• Lotus in the hand represents Viswam ( the 24 Tatwams), 
• Two  bright ear rings refers to the eternal regions.  

Unless this exact technical significance is understood at the time of performing Pooja, the "Vigraha" cannot serve its purpose. 

The different details of a Vigraha are the technical doorways provided for are insight into the true nature of the Deva.  The vigrahas are thus an artistic concretization of the extremely philosophical principles expounded in the Gnana-Kanda of the Vedas.

In the highest mental worship the Manas itself serves as a Vigraha.

Several names of the Devi are here explained mostly by their root meanings. They refer to the various stages of religious (read dharmic) development in human, each of them being technically important and distinct in its use. It is not therefore enough to explain, like the Pundit that all these terms apply to any physical Devi or a woman Goddess.

Every technical term in the sciences could otherwise be explained by any ignorant person as simply applying to the sciences. It will be clearly evident here that even single letters in the given names are separated into consonants and vowels and their Vedic significance explained.

When such detailed explanations on doubtful points in the religious literature are not forthcoming from the Pundit, the correct inference is that he knows them not, and not that the texts are silent in the matter…………                           

Source: Brahma Vaivartha Purana*

*Puranas refer to the technical commentaries of the Vedas and does not refer to any meaningless mythology or absurd Indian history.

To read more in details get a copy of the book  Inside  Out – a  philosophical enquiry of Hindu Dharma

https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Philosophical-Enquiry-Dharma-ebook/dp/B0847Q81JQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=inside+out%2C+a+philosophical+enquiry+of+hindu+dharma&qid=1603559533&s=books&sr=1-1

Wishing you a very happy Navratri, Durga Ashtami and Dussehra.

K V Vishwanathan

11th October 2024