Srilanka : Hindus celebrate Deepavali

Deepavali Festival of Lights

Dr. Vimala Krishnapillai

The literal meaning of Deepavali is Deepa Avali a row of lights. The joy giving festivities on this day, along with the array of lamps lights up the lives of people. Deepavali falls this year on October 27. By the Hindu Lunar calendar it is the Amavasai the new moon, in the month of Karthigai.

Legends and history explain how Deepavali evolved into such a widely celebrated festival. Traditions associated with the festival vary depending on the regional local beliefs in the different States of India. The celebration of the triumph of the good over the evil is the often repeated underlying ancient Hindu theme in all festivals. Good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.


Hindus the world over celebrate “Deepavali” today. Picure Kavindra Perera

Deepavali symbolises the vanquishing of the tyrannical Asuras, the personifications of evil who subdue humanity. The ancient preceptors also took care to dovetail the devotional aspect in all festivals giving it a Godward turn. The lamps lit during Deepavali may be different but the light which drives away the darkness that engulfs us is the same.

When the Effulgent Light shines, all else shine receiving its glow And that Effulgence illuminates every thing.
Kathhoupanishad

The Hindus in South India and Sri Lanka commemorate Deepavali as the day on which the Naraka the demonical Asura the embodiment of evil was killed. Naraka imprisoned and tortured thousands of innocent beings. Unable to bear this tyranny the celestials beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them. Lord Krishna subdued Naraka by killing him and freed the prisoners.
Coronation

In North India Deepavali festival is mostly commemorated as Lord Rama’s victory over king Ravana of Lanka and his coronation after his return. During Lord Rama banishment of 14 years Ayodhya was metaphorically in darkness. Lord Rama was welcomed by his subjects by lighting their homes and streets with arrays of lights.

Deepavali is also observed in most regions as a day of homage and worship to Mahalakshmi who the bestows wealth, health and prosperity. The Goddess of wealth Lakshmi is believed to visit every home on Earth on this day. Lakshmi puja is performed worshipping her as Deepa swarupa sudar maeni, manifested in the kthuvelaku the sacred brass lamp. To the traditional business communities the day also marks the beginning of the new business year.

All festivals, in whatever context they are celebrated spurs enthusiasm into the dull, drab, humdrum work a day lives of people. The accent is on something new and something grand celebrated in an atmosphere of joy and festivity.

Deepavali is no exception to this and the mode of celebration is not much different from those of the traditional practices followed during the dawn of the New Year. A clean fresh look is given to the house, doorways are hung with thoranams of mango leaves and the entrance decorated with kolam.

Poorana kumbha the traditional ornate brass pot filled to the brim with water fringed with mango leaves with a coconut placed on top occupies an elevated prominent place. The lit brass lamps as in all religious Hindu rite or ceremony at home or temple, hold a unique place and cannot be conceived without it. This act of lighting lamps promotes sanctity when done with the devotional Bhava attitude. The light of the lamp deepa Johti is believed to act as a link to the unknown power.

Cleaning one’s body and soul of all evil thoughts and deeds and wearing of new clothes is a must on this day. The ritual bath early dawn on this day is synonymous with the bath in the holy Ganges, Ganga snanam. Eating traditional sweets, greeting relations and friends seeking the blessings of elders at home and the God in temples are all part of the day.
Modern days

The exchange of greeting cards, lighting of crackers and fireworks during the night has also become part of the atmosphere of merriment in Deepavali in modern days.

Hinduism is not merely Vedanta Hinduism is not metaphysics either. Hinduism is veiled behind symbols, festivals, rituals and forms of deities. As such Deepavali brings out the outer expressions of ideals clothed in mystical and metaphorical truths and the esoteric meaning of the scriptural injunctions.

Why illumination ? From time immemorial the most persistent search of the heart is for light and how to keep oneself in its presence always. Light is one of the most ancient symbols of God in Hinduism. Light animates all nature. The Devas are described as pure luminous radiant beings having a body of light.

God is addressed as the supreme divine light of grace in the Hindu scriptures. Outer light is said only to be a symbol, an external manifestation of the light which helps one to remember the ultimate light, the energy of consciousness.

The greatest prayers of the Vedic Rishis, the Gayathri mantra Dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat seeks the light of understanding to be redeemed from darkness.

Tamaso maa Jothihir gamaya - Lead me from darkness to light, remove my veils of ignorance that I may behold Thy light is an inexpressively beautiful Upanishad prayer which echoes in every heart.

True, the light prayed for is not only the physical radiation but the light of pure consciousness. The Hindu scriptures say the light is not only outside one but built inside and the one who meditates deeply can perceive the inner light Atmajothi within.

The Deepa Jothi whether subjective or objective is the manifestation of the One Supreme. Oh Thou All Universal Brahman! The light that shines beyond all things in the highest worlds beyond which there are none higher is in fact the same light that shines within man - Chandogya Upanishad.

Happy Deepavali! Let there be Light!

http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/10/27/fea03.asp