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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