Inspire Positivity

As we celebrate Diwali today, I thought of writing an expanded version of the blog I wrote in Hindi yesterday on a highly relevant topic: The Weakening Bond between India’s Youth and Traditions.

The younger generation is increasingly becoming unfamiliar with their own traditions. There are several reasons for this. The primary reason is that with urbanization, earning a livelihood has become the foremost priority. Joint families and the presence of elders are vanishing, leaving no one to explain the festivals and the traditions associated with them to the younger generation. Temples and their priests could have taken on this responsibility, if only they themselves had a deeper knowledge and could attract the younger generation toward the temple. Festivals are often seen merely as sources of fun and enjoyment, which is leading to the erosion of our traditions.

But each festival, especially Diwali is much beyond lighting with Diyas and candles, Family  together for Praying to Goddess Lakshmi for Wealth and Prosperity and bursting of crackers by children. It is high time, we think about familiarizing the younger generation with these traditions. For this, it is necessary to facilitate periodic interactions between the older and newer generations. These interactions can be facilitated through social media, ranging from WhatsApp to YouTube reels, and whenever possible, through personal conversations.

For example, my children live abroad, but we try our best to celebrate Diwali together. When my children were here, I would narrate the traditional stories about Celebration of Diwali. I thought of documenting what I learnt from my elders in this blog in brief. There are several reasons to celebrate this five days festival that starts from the thirteenth Tithi of the month of Kartik in Hindu calendar and continues till Vishwakarma Puja. I have attempted to compile them below:

1. Aim of Festival- To Balance  Artha and Kama through Balance to attain Moksha: The five days festival of Diwali reaffirms the four goals of human life in Sanatana Dharma: Dharma (righteous duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation). Celebrations often reflect prosperity (Artha) and fulfilment of worldly desires (Kama) but remind devotees to balance these with principles of righteousness and duty towards the huminity (Dharma) to attain  the ultimate aim of liberation (Moksha).
2. Dhan Teras: Dhan means wealth and Teras means the Thirteenth Tithi of Hindu calendar. This day is dedicated beyond buying broom-the symbol of hygiene to gold-a symbol of prosperity as the birth anniversary of Hindu God of Health and medicine, Dhanvantri reminding us that to remain prosperous and enjoy the prosperity, it is essential to be in good shape.
3. Roop Chaturdashi or Narak Chaudas: Roop Chaturdashi, observed just before Diwali, celebrates both inner and outer purification and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. This day honors two powerful stories. First is the story of Varaha Avatar, where Lord Vishnu incarnates as a boar to save Bhoomi (Earth) from the demon Hiranyaksha, who had submerged it into the cosmic ocean. By lifting Bhoomi on his tusks after defeating Hiranyaksha, Vishnu restored harmony, representing the protection of good and balance in the universe. The second story features Lord Krishna and Satyabhama’s victory over Narakasura, a tyrannical demon who terrorized others and stole from the gods. To vanquish him, Krishna had to break through four barriers in Narakasura’s fortress, representing the destruction of inner obstacles like ignorance, ego, attachment, and materialism. When Narakasura temporarily incapacitated Krishna, Satyabhama took up the battle, embodying feminine power’s crucial role (Shakti) in upholding dharma. After defeating the demon, Krishna purified himself with an oil bath, symbolizing the cleansing of negative traits and renewal. Thus, Naraka Chaturdashi encourages us to purify ourselves by letting go of harmful qualities and adopting virtues like courage and kindness. The oil bath on this day serves as a ritual for inner and outer cleansing, preparing us to embrace Diwali’s light and wisdom.

4. Depawali or Diwali Day (The Amavasya Day):  The divine couple Vishnu and Lakshmi represent the ideal union of Dharma (divine law) and prosperity. Worshipping them on Diwali encourages a harmonious and prosperous life guided by righteousness. There are several stories associated with Diwali. According to one story, once a dispute arose between Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi about who among them is more powerful in this materialistic world. They decided to examine this. Lord Vishnu guised himself as a sage and started spreading Jnyan through his lectures. Impressed, with his extra ordinary knowledge, a rich merchant promised to keep him for life in his premises. The lord agreed on the condition that he will never be driven out. Now it was Lakshmi’s turn. She rode her divine vehicle and started throwing golden cups on ground after taking water. This allured the merchant  to increase his riches. But when approached, she agreed to stay in his house only if Lord Vishnu was driven out. Thus Lakshmi deviated the merchant from Lord Vishnu’s path by tempting him with golden cups, unaware that he was Vishnu himself in the form of a sage. Ultimately, Lakshmi made the merchant understand the saying, “In confusion, both were lost; neither material wealth nor the Lord could be attained.” In other words, both Lakshmi and the Lord left such a greedy person. The story symbolises that there will always be temptations to earn wealth and attain prosperity through dubious means but one must refrain from it.
5. Govardhan Puja: The Govardhan Puja celebrated the next day after Diwali reminds us to be vigilant to nurture and protect the cattle and also the natural order. The Govardhan Parbat near Gokul, where Krishna spent his childhood till attaining adolescence symbolises a natural asset of environment. It protected the residents of Gokul not only from unprecedented floods, it also provided fodder to nurture their cattle-so vital for humans to sustain their race. I am reminded of evening parades in Kondapur Hyderabad where we delightfully used to watch Cows and cow Buffaloes decorated and taken in a parade back in 2003 to 2007. The place is now overcrowded with apartments and vehicles. This reminds us to develop and urbanise with responsibility towards the mother nature.
6. Bhai Dooj: Bhai Dooj is a festival celebrated on the second day after Diwali, honoring the bond between brothers and sisters. In Hindu tradition, it is a day for siblings to express their love, protection, and gratitude for each other. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, prosperity, and well-being, while brothers promise to protect their sisters and cherish their bond. The origins of Bhai Dooj are rooted in different legends. One well-known story is about Yama, the god of death, visiting his sister Yamuna on this day. Yamuna welcomed him warmly, performed a sacred ceremony for his well-being, and in return, Yama blessed her with protection and prosperity, declaring that any brother who visits his sister on this day would be blessed with a long life. Another story relates to Lord Krishna visiting his sister Subhadra after defeating the demon Narakasura. Subhadra welcomed Krishna with sweets and applied a protective tilak (mark) on his forehead, symbolizing protection and affection. Spiritually, Bhai Dooj signifies the sacredness of familial bonds and reminds us of the responsibilities that come with relationships. The festival encourages mutual respect, care, and support within families. It is a day to strengthen ties, express gratitude, and reinforce the protective and nurturing aspects of sibling relationships, fostering a sense of unity and harmony.

7. Vishwakarma Puja:     Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated to honour the divine architect and builder Vishwakarma. This day is  highly significant for artisans, architects, engineers, and anyone involved in skilled trades. They worship their tools, machinery, and workplaces as symbols of Vishwakarma, believing that these tools gain sacred energy through the deity’s blessings. The day is marked by prayers, rituals, and, in many cases, temporary halts in work to honour the tools that support their livelihood. It is not just the symbolic honour to tools and implements, it is a reminder for proper upkeep of tools and implements. The significance of Vishwakarma Day extends beyond individual craftsmanship, symbolizing the importance of skilled work, innovation, and dedication to excellence. It encourages individuals to acknowledge the divine connection in their craft, promoting quality, diligence, and creativity. Celebrating Vishwakarma Puja fosters gratitude for one’s skills and tools, inspires innovation, and reminds practitioners that their work serves a greater good, contributing to society’s progress and harmony.

Each story above conveys the message that one should pursue goals while prioritizing Dharma and controlling desires, as this is the path to true happiness and prosperity. These stories remind us of the depth of our spiritual traditions and the importance of upholding Dharma, or righteous actions, as the supreme guide in life.

For instance, the story of Narakasura’s defeat by Krishna and Satyabhama reminds us that no fortress of protection can save one from defeat if the actions are unrighteous. Narakasura’s evil deeds—enslaving women and stealing divine earrings—led to his downfall at the hands of feminine power, Shakti, represented by Satyabhama, when even Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, faced a moment of vulnerability.

The barriers that Lord Krishna broke through in Narakasura’s fortress symbolize common traps of the mind: the first is allurement, which leads one to surrender to desires; the second, incitement to anger, which disrupts one’s peace; the third, greed, which distances one from righteousness; and the fourth, addiction, which darkens one’s path. Today, mindless commercialization and a drift from original values create similar barriers, diverting us from Dharma and trapping us in material distractions.

Diwali, then, is about much more than fireworks and display. Traditionally, Diwali was celebrated for thousands of years without the pollution caused by modern crackers, which only came into use after gunpowder was discovered in the 1400s. Realigning with Diwali’s essence and moving away from such modern additions allows us to return to our true tradition without losing joy in celebration. This isn’t a suppression of culture, as some might argue, but rather a return to a long-held tradition that respects Dharma and Mother Nature.

With the success of recent animation series like Hanuman, it’s clear that today’s youth are eager to connect with these stories when presented compellingly. Such projects have shown that children can be deeply engaged by India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, often more so than by fictional superheroes. Continued efforts to animate and share the real stories behind celebrations like Diwali can revive these values, allowing future generations to inherit and appreciate the richness of their traditions.

With determination, creativity, and respect for tradition, we can keep these stories alive, guiding young minds toward values that celebrate righteousness, resilience, and reverence for the world around us.