The Meaning Of Divali

Hello and Sitaram to one and all,
The following blog is being created by a group of students from an ed tech class who are conducting and teaching an educational lesson to primary school children that is based on Divali. Divali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". Divali is usually celebrated by hindus from all over the world on this enjoyfful night asking for wisdom and propersity from Mother Laskhmi. Hindus light deeyas from the time 6 o' clock in the night as a sign to show light over darkness that removes all obstancles in life. Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. It is celebrated during the October/November period. Here the festival is celebrated for five days and the traditions vary from those followed in India. Divali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality.

Hindus have several significant events associated with Diwali:

• The return of Sri Ram after 14 years of Vanvas (banishment). To welcome his return, lamps were lit in rows.
• The Killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Narak Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali day, it commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura who created havoc, by Krishna's wife Satyabhama. This happened in the Dwapara Yuga during the time of Krishna's avatar. In another version of the belief, the demon was killed by Krishna or Krishna provokes his wife Satyabhama to kill Narshna, defeating Indra. Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali which is the day Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain. According to the story, Krishna saw preparations for an annual offering to Lord Indra and asked his father Nanda about it. He debated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He continued to say that all human beings should merely do their 'karma', to the best of their ability and not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan and held to protect the people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. Although this aspect of Krishna's life is sometimes ignored it sets up the basis of the 'karma' philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavat Gita.