The Story of Diwali

Sham S. Misri

Diwali Celebration at Neel's School

15^th Nov.2012

On this day I had an opportunity to talk about the Diwali celebrations at Neel’s School, at Redmond, Seattle, USA. Dimple, my daughter in law was also with me. While Dimple showed the small children how to make a paper oil lamp, I narrated the story of Diwali to the children.

It all began with a woman. Ravana was the most powerful Asura king who lived in Lanka (today's Ceylon). One day, his sister, Surpanakha, saw Rama. She fell in love with him. She requested Rama to be her husband. Rama smiled and said, “I am already married.”

Surpanakha got furious and attacked Sita in order to eat her. Ramas brother Lakshmana came and cut off her nose. She ran away with her bleeding nose. Crying in pain, she cried for help from her brothers. Both the brothers marched their army towards Rama and Lakshmana. They were all killed.

Surpanakha was terror stricken. She flew to Lanka to get her brother Ravana's help. Ravana was angry to see his sister crying. Surpanakha described all that happened. Ravana was interested when he heard that Sita is the most beautiful woman in the world. Ravana decided to snatch Sita. Rama loved Sita very much and could not live without her.

Ravana had a friend "Maricha!" He could change his form.

Ravana told his friend to help him in snatching Sita. He refused.

Again Ravana said, "You have only two choices help me to snatch Sita, Rams wife; or prepare for death." Maricha preferred to die in Rama's hand than be killed by Ravana. So he agreed to help Ravana in the kidnapping of Sita.

Maricha took the form of a beautiful golden deer and began to graze near Rama's cottage. Sita was attracted towards the golden deer and requested Rama to get the golden deer for her. Lakshmana warned that the golden deer may be a demon in disguise. By then Rama already started to chase the deer. He hurriedly instructed Lakshmana to look after Sita and ran after the deer. Very soon Rama realized that the deer is not a real one. He shot an arrow which hit the deer and Maricha was exposed.

Before dying, Maricha imitated Ram's voice and shouted, "Oh Lakshmana! Oh Sita, Help! Help!"

Sita heard the voice and asked Lakshmana to run and rescue Rama. Lakshmana was hesitant. He was confident that Rama is unbeatable and the voice was only a fake. He tried to convince Sita but she insisted. Finally Lakshmana agreed. Before his departure, he drew a magic circle, with the tip of his arrow, around the cottage and asked her not to cross the line.

"As long as you stay within the circle you will be safe with the grace of God" said Lakshmana and hurriedly left in search of Rama.

Ravana was watching from his hiding place. He was glad that his trick worked. As soon as he found Sita alone, he disguised himself as a hermit and came near Sita's cottage. He stood beyond the protection line of Lakshmana, and asked for alms. Sita came out with a bowl full of rice to offer to the holy man. The hermit asked her to come near and offer. Sita did not want to annoy the sage; she crossed the line to offer the alms.

Ravana quickly pounced on Sita and held her hands, saying, “I am Ravana, the king of Lanka. Come with me and be my queen." Ravana's chariot left the ground and flew over the clouds on way to Lanka.

Rama felt unhappy. The cottage was empty. Suddenly he heard a cry. He ran and found a wounded eagle lying at the floor. It was Jatayu, the king of eagles and a friend of Sita’s father.

Jatayu narrated with great pain, "I saw Ravana kidnapping Sita. I attacked Ravana, but he cut my wing and made me helpless. Then he flew towards the south." After saying this, Jatayu died on the lap of Rama.

On their way they met a friend Hanuman. Hanuman, disguised as a saint, came to Rama and Lakshmana. The brothers told Hanuman that they wanted his help to find Sita. Hanuman was impressed by their behaviour.

Rama called Hanuman and gave his ring saying, "If any one finds Sita, it will be you Hanuman. Keep this ring to prove your identity as my messenger. Give it to Sita when you meet her." Hanuman tied up the ring to his waist.

As Sita flew, she dropped her ornaments on the ground. These were traced by the monkey army and it was concluded that Sita was carried southwards. When the monkey army reached southwards, they were perplexed, how to cross the huge sea that stretched in front of them.

Then, Hanuman came up to give a try. He was the son of the wind god. He had a secret gift from his father. He could fly. Hanuman enlarged himself to a huge size and took a jump to cross the ocean. Hanuman reached Lanka. He soon contracted his body and sat as a tiny creature. He soon passed through the city unnoticed and managed to enter the palace quietly. He went through every chamber but could not see Sita.

Finally, Hanuman located Sita in one of the gardens of Ravana. She was surrounded by the Rakshashis who were guarding her. Hanuman hid on a tree and watched Sita from a distance. She was in deep grief, crying and praying to God for her relief. Hanuman's heart melted in pity. He took Sita as his mother.

Hanuman came down from his hiding place and gave Rama's ring to Sita. She was thrilled. She wanted to hear about Rama and Lakshmana. After conversing for a while Hanuman asked Sita to take a ride on her back to return to Rama. Sita did not agree.

"I do not want to return home secretly" said Sita, "I want Rama to defeat Ravana and take me back with honour."

Hanuman agreed. Then Sita gave her necklace to Hanuman as evidence confirming their meeting.

The message reached Ravana. He was enraged. He asked his able son, to capture Hanuman. A battle took place and Hanuman was captured. Hanuman was taken to Ravana's court where he stood in front of the king Ravana.

Hanuman introduced himself as the messenger of Rama. "You have kidnapped the wife of my all powerful master, Lord Rama. If you want peace, return her with honor to my master or else, you and your kingdom will be destroyed."

Ravana was wild with rage. He ordered to kill Hanuman instantly when his younger brother Vibhishana objected. "You cannot kill a king's envoy" said Vibhishana. Then Ravana ordered Hanuman's tail to be set on fire.

Hanuman increased his size and lengthened his tail. It was wrapped with rags and ropes and soaked in oil. He was then paraded through the streets of Lanka and a big mob followed to have fun. The tail was set on fire but because of his divine blessing Hanuman did not feel the heat. He soon shrank his size and shook off the ropes that bound him and escaped. Then, with the torch of his burning tail, he jumped from roof to roof to set the city of Lanka on fire. People began to run, creating chaos and hideous cries. Finally, Hanuman went to the sea shore and put off the fire in the sea water. Then he began his homeward flight.

When Hanuman joined the monkey army and narrated his experience, they all laughed. Then Hanuman quickly went to Rama. He took out the jewel that Sita gave and placed it in Rama's hands.

Rama was thinking how to cross the ocean with the army. He called for a meeting of all the monkey chiefs, and sought their suggestions for a solution.

When Ravana heard from his messengers that Rama was preparing to cross the ocean to Lanka, he summoned his ministers for advice. They unanimously decided to fight Rama to his death.

Vibhishana said, "Brother Ravana, you must return the Sita, to her husband, Rama, seek his forgiveness and restore peace."

Ravana became upset with Vibhishana and told him to leave the kingdom of Lanka. Vibhishana, through his magical power met Rama. Vibhishana explained to Rama all that happened in Ravana's. Vibhishana became the closest adviser to Rama in the war against Ravana. Rama promised Vibhishana to make him the future king of Lanka.

To reach Lanka, Rama decided to build a bridge with the help of the monkeys. Immediately thousands of monkeys set about the task of gathering the materials to build the bridge. The entire monkey army worked hard and completed the bridge in just five days. The army crossed over to Lanka.

After crossing the ocean, Rama ordered the monkey army to attack. The monkeys rushed forward and hurled huge boulders against the city walls and gates. The battle continued for a long time. Thousands were dead on each side and the ground soaked in blood.

Ravana's army lost. Hearing this, Ravana himself came forward. He hurled the powerful missile, Shakti, at Lakshmana. It descended like a fierce thunderbolt and hit hard at Lakshmana's chest. Lakshmana fell down senseless. Rama challenged Ravana himself. Following a fierce fight Ravana's chariot was smashed and Ravana was wounded.

Ravana was shamed. He called his brother, Kumbhakarna for assistance. Kumbhakarna had the habit of sleeping for six months at a time. Ravana ordered him to be awakened. Kumbhakarna was in a deep sleep. It took the beating of drums, piercing of sharp instruments and elephants walking on him to awaken him. He was informed of Rama's invasion. After eating a mountain of food, Kumbhakarna appeared in the battlefield. He was huge and strong. When he approached the monkey army, Hanuman challenged Kumbhakarna. A great fight took place until Hanuman was wounded. Kumbhakarna headed towards Rama. Rama discharged the powerful weapon that he obtained from the wind God, Pavana. Kumbhakarna fell dead.

Hearing the news of his brother's death, Ravana swooned away.

Ravana’s strength was in complete misery. He furiously rushed to the battlefield to fight against Rama and his army. Forcing his way, past Lakshmana, Ravana came face to face with Rama. The fight was intense. Finally Rama used his Brahmastra, repeated the mantras as taught by Vashishta, and hurled it with all his might towards Ravana. The Brahmastra whizzed through the air emitting scorching flames and then pierced the heart of Ravana. Ravana fell dead from his chariot. The Rakshas stood silent in amazement. They could scarcely believe their eyes. The end was so sudden and final.

After Ravana's death, Vibhishana was duly crowned as king of Lanka. The message of Rama's victory was sent to Sita. Happily she bathed and came to Rama in a palanquin. Hanuman and all other monkeys came to pay their respect. Meeting Rama, Sita was overcome by her joyous emotion. Rama, however, seemed to be far away in thought.

At length Rama spoke, "I am happy to rescue you from the hands of Ravana but you have lived a year in enemy's abode. It is not proper that I should take you back now."

Sita could not believe what Rama said. Bursting in tears Sita asked, "Was that my fault? The monster carried me away against my wishes. While in his residence, my mind and my heart were fixed on my Lord, Rama, alone."

Sita felt deeply grieved and decided to end her life in the fire.

She turned to Lakshmana and with tearful eyes she implored him to prepare the fire. Lakshmana looked at his elder brother, hoping for some type of reprieve, but there was no sign of emotion on Ramas face and no words came from his mouth. As instructed, Lakshmana built a large fire. Sita reverently walked around her husband and approached the blazing fire. Joining her palms in salutation, she addressed Agni, the God of fire, "If I am pure, O fire, protect me." With these words Sita stepped into the flames, to the horror of the spectators.

Then Agni, whom Sita invoked, arose from the flames and gently lifted Sita unharmed, and presented her to Rama.

"Rama!" addressed Agni, "Sita is spotless and pure at heart. Take her to Ajodhya. People are waiting there for you." Rama delightfully received her. "Don't I know she is pure? I had to test her for the sake of the world so that the truth may be known to all."

Rama and Sita were now reunited and ascended on an air chariot (Pushpaka Viman), along with Lakshmana to return to Ajodhya. Hanuman went ahead to apprise Bharata of their arrival.

When the party reached Ajodhya, the entire city was waiting to receive them. Rama was coronated and he took up the reins of government much to the great joy of his subjects.

As of today, the celebrations of Navaratri, Dasshera and Diwali come sequentially. Navaratri marks the beginning of Rama's prayer to Goddess Durga to obtain the divine power to kill Ravana. Then Rama received the divine power on the eighth day of Navaratri (Ashthami). Finally, Ravana was killed on the day of Dasshera. Diwali celebrates Rama's triumphant return to Ajodhya and his coronation.

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important festival of the year. On this festival the Indians light the lamps outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.

Diwali, celebrated in October or November each year, originated as a harvest festival that marked the last harvest of the year before winter. India was an agricultural society where people would seek the divine blessing of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, as they closed their accounting books and prayed for success at the beginning of a new financial year. Today, this practice extends to businesses all over the Indian subcontinent, which mark the day after Diwali as the first day of the new financial year.

Indians celebrate with family gatherings, glittering clay lamps, festive fireworks, strings of electric lights, bonfires, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship to Lakshmi. Some believe that Lakshmi wanders the Earth looking for homes where she will be welcomed. People open their doors and windows and light lamps to invite Lakshmi in.

Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith: Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs.

Due to India's mixed culture, Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live:

In North India the people celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ajodhya after defeating the bad guy Ravana. This they do by lighting rows of clay lamps. Then Lord Rama is made the king.

South India celebrates it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.

In western India the festival marks the day that Lord Vishnu, the Preserver (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demon King Bali to rule the hindmost world.

 In Bengal, the celebration is marked with the worship of Goddess Kali. People celebrate Kali pooja with great zeal and enthusiasm.

Thus Diwali festival is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India.

In all interpretations, one common thread rings true—the festival marks the victory of good over evil.

Non-Hindu communities have other reasons for celebrating the holiday:

In Jainism, it marks the nirvana or spiritual awakening of Lord Mahavira in Oct. 15, 527 B.C.

In Sikhism it marks the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru was freed from imprisonment.

Five Days of Diwali

On the first day of Diwali, housewives consider it auspicious to clean the home and shop for gold or kitchen utensils. This is the first day of the New Year when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.

On the second day, people decorate their homes with clay lamps or diyas and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand. This is the main day of the festival when families gather together for Lakshmi pooja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi followed by feasts and firework festivities.

On the last day of Diwali, brothers visit their married sisters who welcome them with love. On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is time to exchange gifts and sweets with friends, relatives and neighbors, and a lavish meal is performed.