Diwali is a celebration that unites our hearts and homes with a vibrant tapestry of traditions, but have you ever wondered about the fascinating stories and wisdom that make this festival so unique? Let's delve into the enigma of Diwali and explore its deep-rooted tales.
As the celebrations and festivities are at their peak, this is a thought-provoking question for everyone. "When Diwali is celebrated to honour Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, why do we perform 'Lakshmi Puja' on Diwali? Why not worship Lord Ram?"
The answer lies in the fact that Diwali is associated with two distinct eras, "Satyug" (the age of truth or sincerity) and "Treta Yug" (a collection of three things). Hindu texts describe four yugas (world ages) in a Yuga Cycle, where the first being SatYuga.
In Satyug, one major event was Samudra Manthan (Churning of Ocean) which was done in search of Amruta, ( elixir of eternal life). This event resulted in many things coming out of it. On this day of Karthik Amavasya, Mata Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the ocean, and that's why we perform "Lakshmi Puja."
In Treta Yug, Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya, and the people of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting lamps, giving the festival its name "Deepawali."
Thus, Diwali has two names, "Lakshmi Pujan," connected to Satyug, and "Deepawali," associated with Tretayug, Lord Shri Ram, and the radiant lamps that symbolise this festival.
The Connection Between Lakshmi and Ganesha
Another intriguing question pondered the connection between Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh and why they are worshipped together on Diwali. The answer is rooted again in ancient tales.
Legend has it that after Mata Lakshmi married Lord Vishnu, she was made the goddess of wealth. However, Kuber, who was tasked with distributing this wealth, proved to be somewhat miserly. He retained the wealth and only managed it.
Concerned that her blessings were not reaching the people, Mata Lakshmi shared her worries with Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu suggested that the manager should be changed. Mata Lakshmi hesitated as Kuber was her devoted devotee. Lord Vishnu then advised that Shri Ganesha's wisdom could be used to solve this issue.
Shri Ganesh, known for his intelligence, agreed to be the "distributor of wealth." He instructed Mata Lakshmi to bless anyone whose name he mentioned, without exception. With Shri Ganesh as the distributor, wealth began flowing to those in need. Kuber remained a treasurer while Shri Ganesh became the benevolent giver of wealth.
The Festival Connection
Diwali falls on Kartik Amavasya, a day when Lord Vishnu is in Yoga-Nidra. He awakens eleven days later on Dev Uthavani Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu Goes to Yognidra for 4 months of the Hindu calendar, which starts Devshayni Ekadashi in “Ashadh” Month, till DevUthani Ekadashi in “Kartik” Month.
During the fifteen days between Sharad Purnima and Kartik Amavasya (Diwali), Mata Lakshmi descends to the Earth. To accompany her, she brings Shri Ganesh. This is why Lakshmi-Ganesh is worshipped together on Diwali.
In a time when the depth of our festivals and traditions is slowly fading out, it's crucial to understand the essence of our celebrations. By sharing and preserving this knowledge, we can celebrate Diwali with a deeper understanding and pass on its significance to future generations.
So, read, share, and pass on the wisdom encapsulated in this blog, allowing the brilliance of Diwali to shine not just in your homes but also in your hearts.