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Why Diwali Stories for this Special Festival

Why Diwali;

1) The Killing of the Demon Narakaasura

The demon Narakaasura was the evil king of Pragjyotishpur, near Nepal. He ruled with a reign of terror, abducted 16,000 daughters of the gods and stole the earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods.
The gods asked Lord Krishna for help and, after a mighty battle, he killed the demon, freed the girls and recovered the earrings.

The rescue of the 16,000 girls is said to be the origin of the story that Krishna had 16,000 wives.

After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed and massaged with scented oils.

Taking an early morning bath with oil is still a Diwali tradition.

2) The Killing of the Demon Ravana

Ravana, who had ten arms and ten heads, was the wicked king of the island of Sri Lanka, who kidnapped the wife of Rama. Rama had been in exile for 14 years because of a disagreement as to whether he or his brother should be the next king in Ayodhya.

After a great battle Rama killed the demon and recovered his wife. Rama's return with his wife Sita to Ayodhya and his subsequent coronation as king is celebrated at Diwali.

When Rama and Sita first returned to Ayodhya it was a dark moonless night and they couldn't see where they were going. Their people put little lamps outside their houses so that the new king and queen could find their way.

This was the beginning the tradition of the festival of lights.

3) The Legend of Dhanteras [Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali Festival]

A particularly lovely story which Will and Guy have learned about, is about the sixteen year old son of King Hima. According to astrology he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage.

On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's bedroom and lit innumerable lamps all over the place. She proceeded to tell stories and sing songs, determined to do so all through the night.

When Yam, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the beautiful and melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away.

Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.

4) The Legend of King Bali

Another enjoyable legend is that of King Bali of the underworld; his mighty power had become a threat to the gods who were gravely concerned.

In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a "Batu Waman", a small boy, visited him and begged him to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps.

Known for his philanthropy, King Bali proudly granted him his wish. That very moment that small boy transformed himself into the all-powerful Lord Vishnu.

With his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head. Putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld.

At the same time for his generosity, Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom

Happy Diwali to all team members ;