The most awaited festival season has already commenced. Diwali is celebrated across the country irrespective of caste and religious divide. It is one festival that unites the whole country. Every community, every region, every culture has its own mythologies for celebrating Diwali in various ways
The central theme of all legends point out to the classic truth of the victory of the good over the evils, there are various stories and myth associated with Diwali. Let’s find the folklores that go around Diwali.
Various beliefs to celebrate Diwali:
The Story of Rama and Sita:
Diwali is said to be the day Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman after defeating the evil King of Lanka, Ravana
Diwali is the occasion of Lord Rama’s homecoming and thus marks the Triumph of truth over Evil.
Lord Krishna Destroyed Demon Narakasur
Another belief is about the killing of the – Narakasur. Narkasur was the king of Pradyoshapuram. He was infamous for his evil deeds. After defeating Lord Indra, to prove his might, he also stole earrings belonging to the mother of all Gods, stole some earrings belonging to the mother of all Gods, Aditi. Narkasur was cursed that he would be killed by his own mother but his mother was no more and hence he thought he is undefeatable.
Lord Krishna was aware that his wife, Satyabhama, was
a reincarnation of Narkasur’s mother, he asked Satyabhama to drive the chariot as he went to fight with the demon. In the fierce fight, Narkasur shot an arrow aimed at Lord Krishna, who pretended to be hit. While Narkasur rejoiced for taking a jab at Lord Krishna, Satyabhama used this opportunity, grabbed Lord Krishna’s bow and arrow and killed the demon instantly.
This is another story that marks the victory of the Good over the evil.
Jain myths:
In Jainism, Diwali marks the anniversary of attainment Moksha of Lord Mahavira.
Years ago, on a new moon day, Lord Mahavir attained Moksha. On the previous day of Diwali, early in the morning, Lord Mahavir begin his last sermon, which ended on the night of Diwali. At midnight, Mahavir Swami’s soul left his body and he attained Moksha. Eighteen kings from the northern Land were a witness to this divine happening. They collectively decided that Lord Mahavir’s light of knowledge will always keep alive symbolically by the lighting of lamps.
Hence it is also called Deepavali. Gautam Swami also attained enlightenment on the day of Diwali, thus making Diwali one of the most important Jain festivals.
Diwali, being the festival of lights, lighting the lamp of knowledge within our means to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts into the day to day lives.