Diwali
Talking of Diwali celebrations, it is worth discussing
the legends and practices associated with this most fantastic festival. There
are different legends connected to Diwali.
Depending on the region in India,
three main legends are in vogue. This festival commemorates the killing of
Ravana by Rama; Mahishasura by Mother
Durga; or Narakasura by Lord Krishna.
Perhaps the third is the most popular one among them. Therefore, this festival
is a sort of celebrating the victory of good over the evil. Described as the festival
of lights, lighting up lamps and arranging them in patterns in homes and
temples are the top highlight of the event. The symbolism behind this practice
seeks to dispel the darkness of ignorance with the light of wisdom.
The same tone of celebrating the
victory with a high fanfare reflects in other activities of the festival namely
having Ganga Snan or the sanctifying bath, performing Goddess Lakshmi Puja, wearing new dress, enjoying the
delicacies of sweets and savouries, and bursting of crackers.
Though Diwali celebrations have undergone a
significant amount of change over the years with a great degree of modernism and
commercialization entering the festival, the underlying message remains the
same.
Perhaps spending on Diwali celebration
is one of the major chunks of the budget in Hindu families. The obvious reason
to this seems to be the essential portfolio of the festival consisting of puja
materials, new dress, sweets and crackers. Without these things, Diwali celebrations are rather considered
incomplete. In fact, most families resort to taking loans to accommodate the
expenses connected to the event. Usually, both the government and private
organizations give Diwali bonus to their
employees enabling them spend it on the festival. However, ultimately the
comparison that goes in between the families of relatives and friends further
boosts up the spending on the various items of the said portfolio. In most
cases, the head of the family is forced to stretch beyond the limits to
accommodate the wishes, whims and fancies of every member in the family. On the
whole, Diwali remains to be a great
occasion for families to get together and make merry.
Don't do these things this
Diwali, starting now!
We always pray to Goddess Laxmi during Diwali ----
however, do you know that apart from doing everything right on Diwali, there
are things that you should not do as well?
Not doing these things
Apart
from all that is auspicious this Diwali, are a few things that are considered
inauspicious as well ---- here are things that you should absolutely not do
this Diwali.
Don't get up late
Even
though you should get up early everyday, on Diwali day, it is especially
auspicious to wake up early, preferably before sunrise --- those who keep on
sleeping till late on Diwali will not be blessed with the divine blessings of
Laxmi.
Don't insult your elders
Again,
you should not insult your elders no matter what day it is, however on Diwali,
you should make an extra effort to be nice to your parents and other elder
persons in the house. Make sure that you do something special for them today.
Don't keep the house dirty
This
one is a no-brainer. You should always keep your house clean during the Diwali week.
Make sure that your house smells great this Diwali and there is no garbage
lying around.
Don't get angry
It is
considered very inauspicious to shout or get angry on Diwali --- make sure that
you keep your temper under control on Diwali and are nice to everyone around
you.
Don't sleep in the evening
Apart
from the fact that you are sick or you are pregnant, one should not sleep in
the evenings --- while an afternoon nap is still okay, sleeping in the evening,
especially during Diwali leads to poverty and distress.
Don't do drugs
It is
said that on Diwali, any sort of drug abuse such as smoking and alcohol should
be avoided. It is said that doing this makes the Goddess Laxmi very angry. Now,
let us learn about a few things that you should do on Diwali.
Sukt paath
On
Diwali, everyone should do a shri sukt paath and if possible, should also do a
havan at home.
Asking for health
Most
of us ask for wealth from Goddess Laxmi, however we all should also ask for
wealth from Goddess Laxmi --- she is goddess of health, wealth and prosperity.
Puja to ward off evils
If
you need to conduct a puja to ward off "evil eye" from your life, you
should do so from 23:30 to 2:30am on the night of Diwali. Read on to know how
you should do that.
The process
If
you have someone in the family who is going through a lot of problems, then do
this. Take some red chillies and encircle them around the troubled person while he is sitting for
7 times --- this will solve all his/her problems.
In the bonfire
When done,
put these chillies in a bonfire and don't turn to look back --- to avoid
irritating your eyes, do so in a secluded place.
A year's problem
Make
sure that when you do the same, you should not be sleepy and should do it with
a lot of devotion --- doing so in the right way will drive away your problems
for a year.
Tulsi leaves
Alternatively,
you can take a few twigs of Tulsi leaves, wrap them in a white cloth and make
the troubled person wear it around their arm. This will drive away all their
problems.
Chant this mantra
On
the day of Diwali, you should chant the mantra, "om dum durgaaye
namaha". This apart, for better dealings in business, you should chant the
mantra "om hun" for 1008 times.
Write it down
After
you chant the mantra, write it down on a piece of paper. Keep it at your
workplace and soon, your life will get better.
Black seeds
Also
take some black sesame seeds and some wheat grains and throw them into a pious
fire while you are doing havan at home --- this will bring in health and prosperity.
Satvic foods
On
the day of Diwali, try to have satvic food once in a day so as to please the
Gods. Keep your lunch as simple and satvic, while dinner can be a lavish feast.
