Chinmaya Mission New York
Dear CMNY family,Hari Om!Shubh Diwali!!On behalf of Pujya Guruji and our Chinmaya Mission New York board members, I extend Diwali Greetings to all!Diwali or Deepavali literally means an array of lamps. It is a five-day festival and legends from the Puranas abound for each of the days. Millions of Hindus across the world will celebrate Diwali by illuminating Dias or earthen lamps in homes and in temples accompanied by the various Poojas or worship to Maha Lakshmi.
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Trayodasi, also Dhan Theras. It is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh (the dark fortnight) of the month of Kartika. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared, delivering Ayurvedic medicine for mankind.This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps with prasada (sanctified food) to Yamaraja (the Lord of Death) and pray for protection from untimely death.
The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika and the eve of Diwali. On this day, Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and liberated the 16,000 princesses which the demon held captive.
The third day of Diwali is the Hindu New Year when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, and triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. This is also the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, having successfully rescued Sita and defeated the demon, Ravana.
On the fourth day, Govardhana Puja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to worship this sacred hill. From then on, every year, Hindus worship Govardhana to honour that first Puja done by the people of Vraja.
It is written in the Ramayana that when the bridge to Lanka was being built by the Vanara army, Hanuman (a divine loyal servant of Lord Rama possessing enormous strength) brought a mountain as material to help with the construction of the bridge. When a call was given that enough materials had already been obtained, Hanuman placed the mountain down. The deity presiding over this mountain spoke to Hanuman asking of his reason for leaving the mountain there. Hanuman replied that the mountain should remain there until the age of Dvapara when Lord Rama incarnates as Lord Krishna, who will shower His grace on the mountain, and will instruct that the mountain be worshiped not only in that age but in ages to come. This deity whom Hanuman spoke to was none other than Govardhana (an incarnation of Lord Krishna), who manifested Himself in the form of the mountain.To fulfill this decree, Govardhan Puja was performed and this celebration is continued to this day. Furthermore, Bali Maharaja was defeated on this day by Lord Krishna’s dwarf brahmana incarnation, Vamanadeva.
The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after Govardhana Puja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan (brothers’ day). Well this is sisters’ day.
Whether you celebrate Diwali on the first day or on the fifth day, we must not get trapped in the web of debate during this time. We must unify as we aim to discover the light of lights within through contemplation on our true nature which is happiness and peace.
May Maha Lakshmi's and the entire Guru parampara's blessings be upon all of us during this auspicious time.
In Shri Guru Smriti,
Acharya Arun Gossai
CHINMAYA MISSION NEW YORK
webadministrator@chinmayanewyork.org
www.chinmayanewyork.org
Chinmaya Publications: http://www.chinmayapublication.com/
More Audio collections are being digitized; Full list of new Audio/Mp3 CD (Bhajans and talks)
Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.
- Swami Chinmayananda
- Swami Chinmayananda
