Hindu Mythology
The
Story of Rama and Sita:
Lord Rama was a great warrior King who
was exiled by his father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife
Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on his wife's insistence. Lord Rama
returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an end
to the demon Ravana of Lanka, who was a great Pundit, highly learned but still
evil dominated his mind. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama returned to
Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps.
So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana; of Truth's
victory over Evil.
The
Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar (Dwarf):
The other story concerns King Bali, who
was a generous ruler. But he was also very ambitious. Some of the Gods pleaded
Vishnu to check King Bali's power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a Vamana
(dwarf) dressed as priest. The dwarf approached King Bali and said "You
are the ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the skies and the
underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with three
strides?" King Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground,
thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. At this point, the dwarf
changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and the
whole Universe! King Bali was send to the underworld. As part of Diwali
celebrations, some Hindus remember King Bali.
The
Defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna:
Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as
Krishna destroyed the demon Narkasura, who was causing great unhappiness
amongst the people of the world. Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth,
covered in dirt. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live
with him. Eventually, their cries for rescue were heard by Vishnu, who came in
the form of Krishna. First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster who
guarded the demon's home. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to
others. Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. For Hindus, this
story is a reminder that good can still come out of evil.
Krishna
and The Mountain:
In the village of Gokula, many years
ago, the people prayed to the God Indra. They believed that Indra sent the
rains, which made their crops, grow. But Krishna came along and persuaded the
people to worship the mountain Govardhan, because the mountain and the land
around it were fertile. This did not please Indra. He sent thunder and
torrential rain down on the village. The people cried to Krishna to help.
Krishna saved the villagers by lifting the top of the mountain with his finger.
The offering of food to God on this day of Diwali is a reminder to Hindus of
the importance of food and it is a time for being thankful to God for the
bounty of nature.
Sikh Festival Diwali:
In Sikh perspective, Diwali is
celebrated as the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from the
captivity of the city, Gwalior. To commemorate his undying love for Sikhism,
the towns people lit the way to, Harmandhir Sahib (referred to as the Golden
Temple), in his honour.
Jain Festival Diwali:
Among the Jain festivals, Diwali
is one of the most important one. For on this occasion we celebrate the Nirvana
of Lord Mahavira who established the dharma as we follow it. Lord Mahavira was
born as Vardhamana on Chaitra Shukla 13th in the Nata clan at
Khattiya-kundapura, near Vaishali. He obtained Kevala Gyana on Vishakha Shukla
10 at the Jambhraka village on the banks of Rijukula river at the age of 42.
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