By M S Nazki
Diye ki roshni se. Har andhera dur ho jaye, Dua ho ki jo chaho, Wo khushi aapko manzoor ho jaye!
-The significance of Diwali is the removal of the darkness of ignorance from the mind by filling it with goodness!
The soldiers celebrate Diwali in their own way!
-The question that arises is why we celebrate Diwali!
-We will unfold the reasons!
-But first of all how the Indian Army celebrated Diwali!
-The Indian Army celebrates Diwali with troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) away from their loved ones. A soldier says, “… Although we are far from our homes today, we are still with our family—because the Indian Army and my battalion are our family. We are all brothers-in-arms here, spending most of the year together; we celebrate every joyous occasion and festival as one. I am truly happy to be spending this Diwali with this family of mine…!
-Stories forgotten:
-Bharat (or Bharata) plays a defining role in the Ramayana as the ultimate symbol of dharma (righteousness), selfless devotion, and detachment from power. Rather than being a passive figure, his actions preserve the moral core of the epic when greed and political maneuvering threaten to tear the kingdom apart.
-Key Aspects of Bharat’s Role
* Opposition to Kaikeyi’s Ambition: When Queen Kaikeyi demands Rama’s 14-year exile and engineers the throne for Bharat, Bharat is away from Ayodhya. Upon returning and learning the xtruth, he is deeply grief-stricken and furious with his mother, rebuking her and refusing to benefit from her plot.
* The Journey to Chitrakoot (Bharat Milap): Bharat travels to the forest with the entire royal court and citizens to beg Rama to return and accept the crown. When Rama firmly declines in order to honor their father’s word, Bharat accepts his decision.
* Rule as a Trustee (Regent): Instead of sitting on the golden throne, Bharat asks for Rama’s sacred wooden sandals (padukas). He places them on the throne as a symbol that Rama is the true king, and he governs Kosala strictly as a servant or trustee.
* The Ascetic Life in Nandigrama: Rather than living in the royal palace during the 14 years, Bharat moves to the outskirts of Ayodhya in Nandigrama, wearing tree bark, eating roots and simple fare, and vowing to self-immolate if Rama does not return the exact day the exile ends.
* Military & Territorial Expansion: Bharat also acts as a capable protector of the realm, defeating the Gandharas and establishing the cities of Taxila (Takshasila) and Pushkalavati, placing his sons Taksha and Pushkala as their rulers.
* The Reunion and Release of Duty: When Rama finally returns after 14 years, Bharat lovingly hands back the kingdom and the padukas, embodying pure bhakti-yoga (devotion) and moral integrity where duty supersedes personal desire.
-Bharat Milap (literally meaning “The Reunion of Bharat”) is a celebrated episode from the Hindu epic the Ramayana, as well as a traditional festival and classical film.
-The Mythological Story:
* The Exile and Return: Prince Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, left Ayodhya for a 14-year forest exile due to a promise made by King Dasharatha to Queen Kaikeyi.
* The Grief and Pursuit: While Rama was in exile, King Dasharatha died of grief. Bharat, who was away at his grandfather’s kingdom of Kekaya, returned to Ayodhya, rejected the throne, and condemned his mother Kaikeyi’s actions.
* The Meeting in Chitrakoot: Accompanied by the citizens of Ayodhya and Guru Vashishtha, Bharat tracked down Rama in the forest of Chitrakoot.
* The Paduka (Sandals) Tradition: Bharat begged Rama to return and rule Ayodhya. When Rama refused to break their father’s pledge, Bharat took Rama’s wooden sandals (Padukas), placed them on the throne as a symbol of Rama’s authority, and governed the kingdom only as his representative for 14 years.
-Key Locations and Festivals
* Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh/Madhya Pradesh): The historic site of the reunion is commemorated at the Bharat Milap Temple near Kamadgiri Hill, where footprint impressions of Ram and Bharat are preserved on stone slabs.
* Kashi (Varanasi): A famous, centuries-old annual Bharat Milap festival takes place (traditionally after Dussehra) to celebrate the emotional reunion of Lord Ram and Bharat upon his return from exile.
-The brotherhood between Lord Rama and Bharata in the Ramayana is one of the highest ideals of selflessness, duty, and love in Indian mythology.
* The Exile and the Crown: While Bharata was away visiting his maternal grandfather, Queen Kaikeyi—manipulated by her maid Manthara—demanded that King Dasharatha exile Rama to the forest for 14 years and crown her son Bharata instead. This grief ultimately led to King Dasharatha’s death.
* Bharata’s Grief and Refusal: Returning home to find his father dead and his beloved brother Rama banished, Bharata was heartbroken and furious at his mother’s scheme. He flatly refused to accept a throne that rightfully belonged to his elder brother.
-Rule from Nandigram
* The Paduka (Sandals): Bharata asked Rama for his wooden sandals (padukas), placing them upon the royal throne of Ayodhya as a symbol that Rama was the true king.
* The Life of an Ascetic: Rather than living in the palace or wearing royal finery, Bharata moved to nearby Nandigram. For 14 years, he lived the life of a simple hermit, governing the kingdom strictly as Rama’s servant and regent.
-A Diwali (Deepavali) is the festival of lights, symbolizing the spiritual victory of dharma over adharma (righteousness over unrighteousness), light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
-Core Spiritual & Religious Meanings
* Hinduism:
* Celebrates the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and the defeat of Ravana, welcomed with rows of clay lamps (diyas).
* Commemorates Lord Krishna and Satyabhama defeating the demon Narakasura.
* Honors Goddess Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity) and Lord Ganesha (wisdom), and marks the wedding day of Lakshmi and Vishnu.
* Observes Kali Puja in West Bengal, honoring Goddess Kali for destroying evil.
* Jainism: Marks the spiritual awakening and nirvana (liberation) of Lord Mahavira.
a• Sikhism: Celebrates Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating the release of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, from Gwalior Fort alongside 52 captive kings.
-For this, is a special time when family
and friends get together, for fun.
Wishing laughter and fun to cheer your days,
in this festive season of Diwali and always!
Happy Diwali!
-Light a Lamp of Love!
Blast a Chain of Sorrow!
Shoot a Rocket of Prosperity!
Fire a Flowerpot of Happiness!
Here’s Wishing You and Your Family a Sparkling Diwali
-May the warmth and splendor, that are a part of this auspicious occasion, fill your life with happiness and bright cheer, and bring to you joy and prosperity, for the whole year.
-On this auspicious occasion, may joy, prosperity, and happiness illuminate your life and your home. Wishing you a Happy Diwali!
-May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity in your life. As the holy occasion of Diwali is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love, here’s hoping this festival of beauty brings your way, bright sparkles of contentment, that stay with you through the years ahead
-On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I pray that God fulfills all your dreams. May you get lots of gifts, sweets and good wishes this Diwali.
-Maa Laxmi will come to your house and will shower her blessings upon you. Remember to keep your doors open and decorate them with lots of lights and flowers.
-Another year will be over, another year will come. I hope and pray that the lights of Diwali illuminate the new chapter of your life. Happy Diwali!
-May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! May you all attain the inexhaustible spiritual wealth of the Self! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as spiritual planes!
-This Diwali let us give thanks for all we hold dear: Our health, our family, our friends and to the grace of God which never ends.
-May the warmth and splendor, that are a part of this auspicious occasion, fill your life with happiness and bright cheer, and bring to you joy and prosperity, for the whole year.
-This Diwali while you light firecrackers, do spare a thought for the environment. Save environment, so say no to crackers. Have a happy Diwali!
-The 5-Day Observance
1. Dhanteras: Dedicated to wealth, fortune, and purchasing precious items or utensils.
2. Chhoti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi): Celebrates the destruction of dark and negative forces.
3. Diwali (Main Day): The night of the new moon (Amavasya), marked by lighting diyas, performing Lakshmi Puja, and sharing sweets.
4. Govardhan Puja / Padwa: Marks the Hindu New Year, family blessings, and honoring agricultural abundance.
5. Bhai Dooj: Celebrates the bond and love between brothers and sisters.
Personal & Cultural Renewal
* Clarity and Self-Reflection: In a spiritual sense, lighting a lamp represents clearing internal confusion, stress, or ignorance with inner clarity and positivity.
* Community and Cleanliness: Homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with rangoli patterns and paper lanterns to invite prosperity and fresh energy.
Would you like to explore the traditions of a specific region’s celebration or learn about the festive recipes commonly prepared during Diwali?
-Diwali (or Deepavali, meaning “row of lights”) is the Festival of Lights, celebrating the universal triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
The festival is rooted in several rich mythological and historical traditions across different regions and faiths:
1. The Return of Lord Rama (Northern India)
* The Story: In the Hindu epic the Ramayana, Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana were sent into exile in the forest for 14 years. During this time, the demon king Ravana abducted Sita to Lanka.
* The Victory: Rama, aided by Hanuman and an army of monkeys, fought and defeated Ravana, rescuing Sita.
* The Celebration: On the day they finally returned to Ayodhya after 14 years, the townspeople lit rows of clay lamps (diyas) along the paths to guide them home through the dark night.
2. The Defeat of Narakasura by Lord Krishna (Southern India)
* The Story: In southern India, Diwali (often celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi) marks the day Lord Krishna, along with his wife Satyabhama, defeated the tyrannical demon king Narakasura.
* The Celebration: After slaying the demon and freeing the captives of the kingdom, Krishna declared it a day of joy and light. People wake up before sunrise and light lamps to mark the eradication of fear and evil.
3. Goddess Lakshmi and Dhanteras (Wealth and Prosperity)
* The Story: Another central tradition honors Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, fortune, and prosperity, who emerged from the cosmic ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan) on this night.
* The Celebration: Households clean their homes, draw colorful rangolis, and light lamps to welcome Lakshmi into their homes for a prosperous new year.
4. Significance in Other Faiths
* Jainism: Celebrates the moksha (liberation and spiritual awakening) of Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara, on this day.
* Sikhism: Observes Bandi Chhor Divas (“Prisoner Release Day”), commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from the Gwalior Fort alongside 52 kings in the 17th century.
-The last few lines!
Moments that have been attached in my heart, forever
Make me Miss You even more this Diwali.
Hope this Diwali brings in Good Fortune & Abounding Happiness for you!
-With gleam of Diyas
And the Echo of the Chants
May Happiness & Contentment fill ur life
Wishing u a very happy and prosperous Diwali!
-Diwali – The gorgeous festival of snacks and sweets everyone enjoying a royal feast; when old and young with delight meet and with love and affection do all hearts beat.
-The gorgeous festival of snacks and sweets
Everyone enjoying a royal feast
When old and young with delight meet
And with love and affection do all hearts beat.
The truth is that existence wants your life to become a festival…because when you are unhappy, you also throw unhappiness all around. Happy Diwali!
Ram! The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul.
-The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor does lightning shine? All the diyas of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in this light of lights and enjoy the Happy Diwali
-God tells us, the more Diyas we light, the more darkness moves away from us…
