Divali Celebration in relation to Shree Raam
SANT TULSIDAAS RAAMAAYAN
DIVALI CELEBRATION IN RELATION TO SHREE RAAM
UTTAR KAANDA
Pg. 1122, Chowpaee # 1
कंचनथार आरती नाना, युवती साजि करहिं कलगाना ।
Kanchan-thaar Aaratee naanaa, Yuvatee saaji karahi(n) kalagaanaa /
Translation
Numerous young ladies lit deeyas and prepared Aarti in golden plates and sung soothing songs (all in an effort to celebrate the return of the Divine Couple, Shree Raam and Seetaa Maataa, and Their companions.)
Interpretation
Having conquered Raavan in battle, the return of Shree Raam to Ayodhyaa was a momentous occasion. Along with Seetaa Maataa, Shree Lakshman and some of His companions, the triumphant return took place in the month of Vaishaakha (approximately April). However, the pomp and glory carried itself up to Divali when the celebrations culminated. This falls in Kaartik month which is approximately October.
That period of time was filled with the type of feelings that ignite hope, enlightenment and empowerment borne out of the epic battle between Shree Raam and Raavan.
Among Raavan’s flaws was his abuse of political power. One is reminded of how he roped in his uncle, Maareech, in that plan to kidnap Mother Seetaa. Raavan’s cohorts supported him either through fear or with the hope that they would get powerful positions. The Lord’s victory signalled the end of a political period of the abuse of political power. The joy of the people could hardly be contained and so perpetuated leading up to Divali.
The victory of Shree Raam also highlighted the capabilities of the human form. When a person allows himself/herself to be moulded at the hands of a Guru, the insurmountable can be hurdled. Shree Raam also studied under Guru Vishwaamitra and allowed him to make his input. Through that knowledge, Raavan was defeated by a human being, the Supreme having taken this form. Raavan’s boon had placed him in an almost impregnable position such that the Deities could not destroy him. From the day of the Lord’s welcome return to Ayodhyaa, celebrations continued unabated as everyone rejoiced about the capacity of the human form, as exemplified by the Lord Himself.
The city of Lanka knew no comparison in both beauty and opulence. Indeed the domes of some of its structures were plated in gold. In this instance, though, that wealth was unable to buy Raavan his safety from the hands of Shree Raam and His army who, unlike Raavan, all stood on the side of righteousness. Thus, the return of the Lord reflected the triumph of righteousness over the use of wealth to buy justice. This resonated with the citizenry and ignited a fire of hope for the dispossessed that burnt brighter each passing day, leading up to Divali.
That epic battle had a hallmark moment when Lakshman was left unconscious, having been struck by Meghnaad’s (Raavan’s son) lance. Sushena, the physician, was summoned. His prescription could have only been filled by Shree Hanumaan who uprooted Owshadhi Giri (the Medicine Mountain) and brought it back to the ailing Lakshman. Sushena successfully administered the medicine and Lakshman recovered. The incident serves as a reminder that in His 12th incarnation, the Lord manifested as Dhanwantari Bhagwaan to establish the role of medicine in the wellbeing of all creatures, especially mankind. Shree Raam was the 18th of the 24 incarnations of the Supreme. His manifestation as Dhanwantari occurred 2 lunar days before Divali. The role of Shree Raam as Dhanwantari Bhagwaan was yet another reason for the heightened and unending celebrations of the Lord’s renowned return.
Shree Hanumaan played a vital role in the demise of Raavan. When Lanka was burnt, Raavan had his pride quelled. It was the beginning of the fall of the Raakshas warrior as was noticed by his spouse, Mandodari. The jubilation in Ayodhya was also fuelled by the heroics of Shree Hanumaan. In one Round of Creation, Shree Hanumaan incarnated on the day before Divali.
Seetaa Maataa’s involvement in the downfall of Raavan cannot be underplayed. She experienced the discomfort of captivity in order to trigger the destruction of the Raakshas King, Raavan, at the hands of Her dutiful husband. The combination of Shakti (female aspect) and Purush (male facet) has proven time and time again to be a lethal combination when justice has to be restored. A future Raakshas King, Narakaasur, suffered a similar fate to Raavan. In that episode, a part-projection of Mahaa Shakti, Satyabhaamaa, and Purush Shree Krishna, Her spouse, combined to destroy Narakaasur. Satyabhaama used the Sudarshan Chakra (discus) of Shree Krishna to destroy that Raakshas. In one era, this occurred on the day before Divali (Narak Chaturdashi). The potent Shakti/Purush combination added impetus to Shree Raam’s victory march into Ayodhyaa and commemorating this tenet of Hinduism, celebrations carried itself into the season of Divali.
The advent of the Lord after His 14-year voluntary exile also heralded the welcome return of Lakshmi into every household of Ayodhyaa and beyond. Mahaa Shakti, Seetaa Maataa, allowed Her projection as Lakshmi to come to the fore in that glorious reentry into Ayodhyaa. That return etched into the minds of all that the darkness of 14 years of separation was replaced by the light of reuniting and deep appreciation. The lesson taught about the reign of negative forces is that it is sometimes hinged on the good karma of those very negative forces. However, the fruits of that good karma carries an expiry date. Such expiry dates can be advanced for those with Raakshas-type habits. In the same vein, that famous reentry was like Lakshmi’s stroll into our lives, lifting us to unscaled heights by fair means. We must be ready and excited, though, to receive Her like Ayodhyaa’s inhabitants. The pain of physical separation was now a distant memory and there was renewed hope, elevated goals and energised plans to execute in the hearts of all. Ayodhyaa was now bereft of the three types of pain (pain of body and mind, negative effects of Grahas and worldly disasters). Divali is celebrated during the month of Kaartik on the 15th phase of the Moon (New Moon), following Dhan Teras (13th phase) and Narak Chaturdashi (14th phase). On this auspicious day, Lakshmi Maataa entered the world. She was one of the 14 products that came out of the famous Churning of the Ocean.