Sivananda Day-to-day (577)

 
From: "Sivananda" <pannir@PROTECTED>
Date: October 19th 2025

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Deepavali — The Festival of Lamps
by Swami Chidananda

Festivals, periodical religious functions, ceremonies and rites have a two-fold aspect and purpose. These are the external observances sanctified by long custom and there is the inner truth which these functions are meant to remind us of and to rekindle in us. To keep fresh in mind and to readily recall the seven component colours of the rainbow, students are given the code word “VIBGYOR”. In like manner each festival and ceremony is in the nature of a socio-religious keyword to remind you of spiritual truths. Unlike ordinary symbols that are silent these ceremonies are ‘symbols in actual enactment’. The truth which the different sacred observances symbolise are better understood and glimpsed when their scriptural back-ground is impartially studied.

The Deepavali is a national festival in India. It is a very joyous three-day affair. There is gaiety everywhere, cheerful faces, new clothes, bright colourful decorations and lamps, lamps and more lamps. Illumination is the main, prominent feature of the celebrations. There is something unique about Deepavali. Most festivals in Hinduism are held in honour of some particular aspect of the Deity. But Deepavali is a distinctive combination of three different celebrations falling under the same name. The first is Naraka Chaturdasi, (on the fourteenth day of a dark half) then is Lakshmee-Puja on the New Moon day and the third day is Bali Padya (on the first day of the following bright fortnight).

The first day is the celebration of Lord Krishna’s Victorious battle with the demon Narakasura. Srimad Bhagavata describes this incident in the 59th chapter of its 10th Skandha. Narakasura is a most formidable demon of terrible prowess. He is the son of Bhu Devi (presiding deity of the Earth) and the Great Boar or Varaha Avatar. Seated upon Garuda, Sri Krishna slays the Asura. The next day comes Lakshmee-Puja, the adoration of the mine and store-house of all auspiciousness. The third day commemorates the great sacrifice of King Bali who never refused a suppliant. Danaveer Bali is confined to the nether-world. On Bali Padya day he is glorified.

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20th October is Deepavali.


The following article was recently posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam


BOOK SYNOPSIS

Forest Academy Lectures On Yoga
by Sri Swami Chidananda

Yoga has been defined in various ways and mostly from the traditional or technical point of view. Nevertheless Yoga has been an attraction to the public in general, since it has always been regarded as a way to the realisation of the higher values of life. While there are commentaries on the Yoga scriptures from orthodox points of view, teachers have very rarely attempted to bring the loving message of Yoga to the hearts of people. Yoga is, indeed, a great discipline, but at the same time it is a solace to the feeling of the heart of man.

In the present publication Sri Swamiji has presented to the seeking public the knowledge of Yoga as it actually has to be imparted to the novitiates who wish to receive instruction in a parental fashion.

For more information, please see: Forest Academy Lectures On Yoga


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40% Special Discount on the following Pictorial Volume of Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji:

1. EC71 Divine Vision                 Rs. 300

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ON SELFLESSNESS: After bowing to the Master, a lady prayed to him: “Bless me so that I may get Mukti and may not be born again.”

The Master said, “What will you get by attaining Mukti? You cannot talk to others. You cannot serve others. You will be like a block of stone. If you lead a selfless life you will be full of bliss. Such a life itself is freedom or Mukti; it is more than Mukti.”


“Every household is illuminated on Deepavali. Everywhere you look there is Light. This is intended to remind man that his essential nature is Light: that the Atman, his own real Self, is the Light of all lights, the Light that lends luminosity to countless suns, moons and stars in the infinite universes. It is Avidya that produces a semblance of darkness! This Avidya consists of Nama-Rupa, name and form, characteristics of the organs of sight and hearing. In Reality there is nothing but one Infinite Consciousness–Akhanda Ekarasa Satchidananda Swarupa Para Brahman.” – Swami Sivananda


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