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Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 01:05:11 -0000
To: agathiyar@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Deepavali calls for charity
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From: veejay kavi@...
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I would like to call upon Agathiyarians to show their support
to "SIVANANDA SARASWATHI SEVASHRAM". The center is located at No. 20
Kambar Street,
East Tambaram,
P. Box No. 8, Chennai : 600059 - Tamilnadu, India.
Phone : +91-44-2392444, Fax : +91-44-2391078
Cellular Phone : 98410 77690
It is run by Dr. S. Rajaram who is a very dedicated man. To learn
more visit at http://www.sivanandagurukul.org/home.htm
Attached below is a recent posting from the center on Deepavali.
May the light pf Deepavali brightens the life of these children
Valgha Valargha SIVANANDA SARASWATHI SEVASHRAM
Vijay Tharma
_________________________________________________________________
Light Up Your Life!
All About Diwali — the Festival of Lights!
Deepawali or Diwali is certainly the biggest of all Hindu
festivals. It's the festival of lights (deep = light and
avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that's marked by four days of
celebration, which literally illumines the country
with its brilliance and dazzles all with its joy. Each of the four
days in the festival of Diwali is separated by a
different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the
celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.
The Origin of Diwali
Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient
India, when it was probably an important harvest
festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin
of Diwali. Some believe it to be the celebration
of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Whereas in Bengal the
festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali,
the goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the
symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is
also worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day. In Jainism,
Deepawali has an added significance to the great
event of Lord Mahavira attaining the eternal bliss of nirvana. Diwali
also commemorates the return of Lord Rama
along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and
vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous
celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the
Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with
earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.
These Four Days
Each day of Diwali has it's own tale, legend and myth to tell. The
first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks
the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife
Satyabhama. Amavasya, the second day of
Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her
most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes
of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in
his dwarf incarnation vanquished the tyrant
Bali, and banished him to hell. Bali was allowed to return to earth
once a year, to light millions of lamps to dispel
the darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and
wisdom. It is on the third day of Deepawali —
Kartika Shudda Padyami that Bali steps out of hell and rules the
earth according to the boon given by Lord
Vishnu. The fourth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called
Bhai Dooj) and on this day sisters invite their
brothers to their homes.
The Significance of Lights & Firecrackers
All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a
story to tell. The illumination of homes with
lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of
obeisance to the heavens for the attainment
of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.
According to one belief, the sound of
fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people
living on earth, making the gods aware of their
plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more
scientific basis: the fumes produced by the
crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in
plenty after the rains.
The Tradition of Gambling
The tradition of gambling on Deepawali also has a legend
behind it. It is believed that on this day,
Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva, and she
decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali
night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.
>From Darkness Unto Light...
In each legend, myth and story of Deepawali lies the significance of
the victory of good over evil; and it is with
each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts,
that this simple truth finds new reason and
hope. From darkness unto light — the light that empowers us to
commit ourselves to good deeds, that which
brings us closer to divinity.
During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India and
the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air,
mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, joy,
togetherness and hope. Outside India, Diwali is more
than a Hindu festival, it's a celebration of South-Asian
identities.
If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali,
light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes,
withdraw the senses, concentrate on this supreme light and
illuminate the soul.
WISH Y0U ALL A HAPPY DIAWALI AND OUR PRYERS FOR YOUR WELL BEING.
MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
