MEERA S SASHITAL tells us about Goddess Lakshmi and her importance during Diwali, the festival of lights.
Of all the festivals in India Diwali is the most spectacular and sparkling festivals. What with illuminations and lighted diyas and coloured paper lamps with decorations, the whole scene dazzles with the brilliance of lights giving a celestial effect. No wonder, for the term Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali meaning cluster of lamps. “Deep” meaning lamp. “Vali” meaning “line or row of lamps”. Its other name is Deep-Malika or Deep-Mala, the string of lamps. Diwali is observed by one and all irrespective of caste or creed.
Diwali is a five days festival beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhaiya Dooj. To be precise, Diwali begins on the 13th day of the second or dark half of Ashwin month and continues till the second day of Kartik light half, i.e. last three days of Ashwin including the New Moon Day of Amavasya, and the first two days of Kartik However, in Maharashtra the festivity begins one day earlier on Govatse Dwadashi.
During the five days festivity various rituals are followed and along with Goddess Lakshmi several other Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. However, Goddess Lakshmi is the most significant deity during Diwali Puja. On the 13th day of the second or dark half of Ashwin month, women bathe, after applying unguents and fragrant oils. The image of the Goddess Lakshmi is washed with milk and worshipped for three days commencing from this day.
Again, the water containers after being scrubbed and given a shiny look, are decorated with garland of marigold flowers, and applied with vermillion. The stored water is supposed to represent the holy Ganges ready for the early bath the next day, that is, the Narak Chaturdashi. The current practice in the cities is to bedeck the water taps instead of the outdated copper containers.
On the 14th of Ashwin is Naraka Chaturdashi the day, on which Lord Vishnu had killed Narakasura or the Giant of Filth, born of the Goddess Earth. It is to commemorate the victory of Lord Vishnu over the demon Narakasura. The ancient custom was to collect dung heaps and manure and remove it far from the house where the heap was worshipped by lighting a lamp.
Before the ritual bath the ‘chirat’ the fruit of the cucurbitous plant is crushed symbolising the killing of Narakasura, the giant of wickedness. Even now most of the early customs prevail, though in a modified form. Today before Diwali the house is got rid of unwanted items, washed and given a model look. The significance of early custom of destruction etc. may have appertained to the end of the first rice producing season and the sowing of other crops after manuring the soil. It also implies the change of season too, when the sun passes from the northern to the southern hemisphere.
The third day of Diwali i.e. the Amavasya is believed to be the most auspicious day as this is the day on which Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is worshipped with full pomp and ceremony. Though this last day of Ashwin also marks the end of the Vikram or Samvat era, also is known as Pedhipijan and to a few is sacred to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, majority follow the day to be sacred to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations specially in North and West India. People pray and show reverence to Goddess Lakshmi by decorating their homes by lighting lamps and diyas. They pray for prosperity and well-being for their families and business.
The auspicious time for the Lakshmi Puja is decided, it seems, when Amavasya Tithi prevails during Pradosh Kal or the evening time. Lakshmi Puja or the worship of the Goddess of Wealth is the main event of Diwali. On this day, ink bottle, pens and new account books are worshipped. Lakshmi Puja during Diwali is performed not only in families but also in offices.
Diwali Puja is the most significant day for the most traditional Hindu businessman. By performing Lakshmi Puja, She is invited into the homes of devotees to partake of the gifts that are a part of the Puja. On this very day the sun enters his second course and passes by the Libra which is represented by the balance scale. Hence the sign of Libra is believed to suggest the balancing and closing of account books. Despite the fact that this day falls on Amavasya, it is regarded as very auspicious.
A little bit of doubt may arise in our minds as to why on Amavasya day, which is generally considered inauspicious, Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity is specially worshipped. Well, according to legend Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth and Lord Vishnu’s wife, visits all her devotees and bestows gifts and blessings upon each of them. It is believed that on this day the Goddess walks through the green fields and by-lanes and showers her blessings on mankind for glory and prosperity.
Again, it is the popular belief that Goddess Lakshmi is particular about cleanliness so she visits the cleanest house first. Thus to please and welcome the Goddess, the devotees clean their houses, decorate them with Rangoli, prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings and light the lamps and illuminate their houses in the evenings. The lights are meant to light up her path. It is the popular belief that the Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness and She will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why even the broom is worshipped on this day by applying Haldi and Kumkum (turmeric and vermillion).
To deviate a little, Goddess Lakshmi has eight forms or aspects, known as astamahalakshm and are recognized in iconographical works. Out of these, Gajalakshmi is the most popular. She is usually figured on the lintels of door frames. She is seated on an eight petalled lotus, has four hands and conch. Behind her two elephants are shown pouring water over her from pots held in their trunks.
When the Goddess has two hands, she is called Samanyalakshmi, or Indralakshmi. If she is depicted with two lotuses in two hands and the other two hands display the abhaya (protective) and varada (blessing) mudras, she is designated as Varalakshmi.
There are several legends as to her origin. It seems the Ramayan legend makes her spring forth from the ocean, like Aphrodite, in full beauty, with a lotus in her hand, when it was churned by the Asuras and the Gods – hence called Kshirabdhitanaya, daughter of the sea of milk. According to the puranas, she was the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyata, and she was the wife of Vishnu in all his incarnations.
To come to the first day of Kartik, it has been ascribed with legends. For example , it hails the New Year for those who follow the Vikram or Samvat era. According to some, it is also the day on which King Bali was made to abdicate and sent to the nether world by Lord Vishnu. Thus, it is termed as Balipratipada. Some commemorate the days as the coronation of King Rama who it seems was crowned after his exile.
Illuminations on this occasion and King Rama’s reign symbolise the ushering in of spiritual light and knowledge and removal of darkness or ignorance. Moreover, the first of Kartik is also called the ‘Ankot’ day as per Vishnu Purana, the day Krishna saves the people and cattle of Gokul by lifting the Govardhan mountain as protection from the wrath and deluge caused by Lord Indra. As a result, cows and bulls are decorated and worshipped on this day. The deluge could be an allusion to the excessive rains of the monsoons and the ending of the season.
The second day of Kartik is known as Yama Dwitiya or Bhau-Bij when sisters invite brothers and honour them. The sisters apply tilak and wave aarti to their brothers and the brothers’ offer presents in return. It is one of the most sentimental and touching occasion for all. Diwali festival is the festival of lights and especially on the Amavasya day i.e. Lakshmi Puja day the pitch darkness is dispelled by the brilliant illuminations all around.
Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth on the Amavasya day comes to remove the darkness of poverty and sufferings of people by
illuminating their homes. By worshipping her on this day during Diwali we welcome her boon not only of affluence but Health too and ward off the Goddess of Alakshmi who brings ill luck.
