Ganga Snanam on Naraka Chaturdasi

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

For the fast approaching deepavali, here are some lines on the importance of Ganga Snanam on Naraka Chaturdasi (Deepavali day)

 

The fight against Narakasura

 

Narakasura, was a son of Bhumi devi and had the boon that he would meet his death only at the hands of his mother. Emboldened by this boon he started misusing his powers and was a evil tyrant. He ruled over the ancient kingdom of Prakjyothishapura and had imprisoned over 16000 maidens in his prisons. Even the demi-gods were scared of him and his audacity had reached his peak when he managed to steal the divine ear-rings of Aditi who was the mother of the devathas.

 

To end his tyranny and to save His devotees, Lord Sri Krishna accompanied with Devi Satyabhama (who was an incarnation of Bhumi devi) fought with Narakasura and finally with the aid of Satyabhama the demon was killed.

 

With her son dead, Bhumi devi requested the Lord to commemorate this day on which dharma won over adharma. Bhumi devi's impartiality, reinforced the cardinal belief that dharma has to be honoured even at the cost of familial relations which is epitomized by mother-son relationship.

 

Lord Krishna gave Bhumi devi the boon that this day will be celebrated as a joyous occasion in which people will celebrate by lighing lamps, eating sweets and wearing new clothes.

 

As after killing Narakasura, the Lord had a special bath with fragrant oils before dawn to cleanse Himself, hence ever since bathing at the pre-dawn hours of Naraka Chaturdasi has been the main ritual for the day.

 

The shlokam

 

thailE LAKSHMEE: JalE GANGAA dhIpAvaLi dhinE vasEthalakshmI parihArArTam abhyangasnAnam aacharEthTatha Aabharanam vasthram dharEyEth sarvasampadhE

 

On the early morning (pre-dawn) of Naraka Chaturdasi, Sri Lakshmi's auspiciousness resides in oil and Ganga Devi stays in the waters. For the sake of chasing away poverty / inauspiciousness, One should take an oil bath and wash oneself with hot water and thereafter wear new clothes.

 

By the special blessings of the Lord, Ganga resides in all water at this auspicious pre-dawn period, hence, we wake up as early as 2.30-3.00 am on this day, have a luxurious hot water bath after applying oils and scents over the body. This bath is considered as holy as Ganga Snanam (must be had before dawn), and one hence achieves the benefit of bathing in the Ganges even if one is far away from the river, due to the Lord's benevolence.

 

Then after wearing new clothes we perform vishesha aradhanam to Lord Sri Vishnu.

After worshipping Him, we celebrate the day by bursting fire-crackers and eating sweets.

 

This year Naraka Chaturdasi falls on 16 October 2009 in the US while it falls on 17 October 2009 in India.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kamlesh