Spiritual meaning of the celebrations like Diwali (killing of Three demons)

[Guest guest]

Posted by: " parameswaran ramaswamy "

Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:59 pm (PST)

 

Dear Sir,

 

Nameshkar,

 

Festival becomes an opportunity for more indulgence . 5,000 years

before the messages of Holy Gita and Upanishad scriptures were

given. When people are asked to gain that Knowledge, the question

raises. " what relevance will it make today?. " At the same time, for

the celebration of killing of Narakasura by God on Diwali day, we

don't ask the same logical question, because it gives an opportunity

for us to get indulged.

 

The spiritual meaning of the above three stories are:

 

Lord Vishnu was sleeping (God is only One. Vishnu, Shiva are not

separate gods). For story purpose, it is mentioned Lord Vishnu. One

Sage came to Swargalok and told the Dwarapalaka (main entrance gate

keeper) that he wants to meet Lord Vishnu. Dwarapalaka replied that

he cannot meet Him now as He was sleeping and advised to wait for

some time. Having got angry over his reply, the Sage cursed him to

go to Bhuloka and he cannot remain near God (Lord Vishnu) any more.

After hearing his curse, the Dwarapalaka went to Lord Vishnu and

told his grievance. Lord Vishnu told,'I cannot do anything. The Sage

only has to take back his words. " . Dwarapalaka then went to the

Sage and pleaded for his pardon. The Sage replied, 'I cannot take

back my words. Only thing I can do is I will give you 2 choices. Of

them, you can choose only one whichever you like. " Dwarapalaka

accepted the offer and asked the sage to tell the two choices.

 

Sage said,'the first choice is: 100 lives time, you will have to

take birth and live as devotee, a closest associate to God. Or the

second choice is 3 janmas as deadliest enemy of God and finally you

will be killed by God. "

 

Dwarapalaka immediately preferred the second choice because he will

get back to God within three Janmas or 3 incarnations. He prefers to

get killed to get back to God within 3 incarnations than 100 lives

as devotee closest to God. Those three incarnations are 1)

Hiranyakashbu, 2) Ravana 3) Narakasura.

 

The Spiritual meaning is:

 

1) One should have urge to go back to Self at the earliest.

2) Even the gate keeper (Dwrapal) shows the need for urgency to go

back to Self at the earliest. That is what the reminder. Getting

back to Self is the purpose of life.

3) In the hands of Vishnu, these are the three enemies were got rid

off and attained salvation. What is done is not the matter.

Attainment of Godhead is the significance.

4) That is why Narahasura told Krishna , " People should not hate me.

Hence the day should be celebrated. "

5) Why we light lamp at 0400 hrs on Diwali day .? Darkness represents

ignorance of the Self. Light represents Knowledge of the Self.

Wearing new cloth represents starting of new life. Meeting people

and exchanging sweets represents our need to maintain relationship

with people, community. The Bliss obtained spill over people when it

is celebrated. Spirit of getting back to Self at the earliest is the

purpose of life and celebration.

6) Festival is an opportunity to distribute our wealth to needy.

Festival is an opportunity to withdraw our mind from the world.

Festival means to remove the inequality in the society. But that day

we show our superiority by lavishly spending on crackes and

ornaments etc. It brings more discrimination.

7) The purpose is not celebration. The purpose is Sadhana, Result of

which should be celebration.

 

Thanks with regards,

R. Parameswaran.

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