FESTIVALS |
HOLI
THE FESTIVAL OF HOLI- THE STORY OF PRAHLAD
Hiranyakashypu was the king of the asuras (demons). Hiranyakashypu's brother
had been slain by Vishnu for terrorising gods and goddesses. So Hiranyakashypu
wanted to destroy Vishnu and keep other Gods in heaven subdued. He told
his soldiers to crush all those who worship Vishnu, but the Gods protected
the Devotees of Vishnu.
Hiranyakashypu thought to himself "I will have to match my
powers to Vishnu's to rule over the three worlds".
So he began to perform severe penances and tapasya. While he was so occupied
the Gods ransacked his city and destroyed his palace. Hiranyakashiapu's
Queen, who was expecting a child was sent by the gods to Sage Narada's
hermitage. She lived in the Ashram of the great sage and learned about
religion and the glory of Vishnu from him. The child within her, Prahlad,
too, absorbed all this knowledge.
Narada taught the Queen that Vishnu is the soul of all created things
and is present everywhere. Meanwhile, Hiranyakashypu's austerities pleased
Brahma and said: "Arise Hiranyakashypu. Any boon that you ask of
me shall be yours".
Hiranyakashypu said I wish that my death be not caused by man or beast,
with a weapon or without a weapon, during day or night, indoors or outdoors,
on earth or in the sky. Grant me the undisputed lordship over the material
world.
Hiranyakashypu brought his wife back to his city where Prahlad was born.
Hiranyakashypu, with his new powers renewed his hostilities against Vishnu
and Vishnu's followers. He declared "There is non stronger than I.
I am the lord of the three worlds. I shall be worshipped as such".
Prahlad in the meanwhile was growing up and was Hiranyakashypu's delight.
He asked Prahlad: "Son, tell me what do you think is the best thing
in life"?
Prahlad replied: "To renounce the world and seek refuge in Vishnu".
Hiranyakashypu laughed. Then he called his Son's teacher to him, saying:
"Guard him closely. I think that the followers of Vishnu are secretly
influencing him. Don't let him out of your sight!
After manyy months, his teacher said: "Prahlad, I think you are now
ready to meet your father."
His father asked him: "You have been with your Guru a long time!
What have you learnt?
Prahlad said: "I have leant that the most worthwhile occupation for
anyone is the worship of Lord Vishnu".
Hirnaykashypu was very angry: "O cursed child! Who taught you such
perverse things?"
Prahlad remained calm and said: "Vishnu. He reveals himself to all
who are devoted to him."
Hiranyakashypu shouted angrily: "This boy must not live! Take him
away and kill him! Kill this vilest enemy disguised as my son. Poison
him or attack him when he sleeps but kill him!"
The soldiers started attacking Prahlad when Prahlad was meditating on
Lord Vishnu, but their weapons could not touch Prahlad. Most deadly snakes
were let loose on Prahlad, but their fangs turned impotent. Mighty elephants
could not trample him. Something kept them back. He was pushed off a cliff
but Prahlad was unharmed. Holika, the wicked aunt of Prahlad Holika who
had a boon to brave fire without hurt, sat with Prahlad in fire but Prahlad
was unharmed. In desperation Hiranyakashypu had him fed with deadly poison
but it turned into nectar in Prahlad's mouth.
Prahlad was sent to his teacher to try again. This time the teacher tried
to get Prahlad interested in means for acquiring wealth and physical pleasures.
But Prahlad thought to himself: "How can the pursuit of physical
pleasures and wealth bring happiness? It will only lead to envy and anger?"
The teacher eventually gave up, when Prahlad told his father that Vishnu
is the soul of all created beings and is present everywhere.
Hiranyakashypu roared: "Where is Vishnu? If he is everywhere why
is he not in this Pillar? If he is not there then I shall cut off your
head with my sword. Let Vishnu, your Lord protect you."
As Hiranyakashypu was striking the pillar with his sword, Lord Vishnu,
in the form of
Nara-simha(nara=man,simha=lion) emerged from the Pillar. His look was
neither beast nor man. Narsinha caught Hiranyakashypu and it was the twilight
hour, carried him to the threshold of the court- room which was neither
indoors nor outdoors and while holding him on his lap, killed him. Prahlad
was installed on the throne and he ruled wisely and well for many years.
The religious significance of the festival of Holi is to mark the burning
of self-conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, hatred, in fact all the undesirable
demoniac tendencies, propensities, thoughts and behaviours.The victory
of righteous forces over demoniacal forces.
Back to Story Of Prahlad
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Holi or Holika
By Swami Harshananda
Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore
Holi or Holika, also called holikotsava, is an extremely popular festival
observed throughout the country (India). It is especially marked by unmixed
gaiety and frolics and is common to all sections of the people.
This festival is very ancient. Known originally as ‘Holika’
it has been mentioned in very early religious works such as Jaimini’s
Purvamimamsa-sutras and Kathaka-grhya-sutras. It must have therefore existed
several centuries before Christ. It was at first actually a special rite
performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families
and the full moon (Raka) was the deity worshipped by them.
There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month: purnimanta and amanta.
In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter,
after the new moon. Though the latter reckoning is more common now, the
former was very much in vogue in the earlier days. According to this purnimanta
reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year
heralding the Vasanta-rtu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the
full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking,
announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains
the other names of this festival: Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.
According to the stories in the Puranas and various local legends, this
day is important for three reasons.
1. It was on this day that Lord Siva opened his third eye and reduced
Kamadeva (the god of love, Cupid or Eros) to ashes.
2. It was on this day that Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakasyapu,
who tried to kill the child devotee Prahlad by taking him on her lap and
sitting on a pyre of wood which was set ablaze. Holika was burnt to ashes
while Prahlad remained unscathed!
3. It was again on this day that an ogress called Dhundhi, who was troubling
the children in the kingdom of Prthu (or Raghu) was made to run away for
life, by the shouts and pranks of the mischievous boys. Though she had
secured several boons that made her almost invincible, this – noise,
shouts, abuses and pranks of boys – was a chink in her armour due
to a curse of Lord Siva. The day itself came to be called ‘Adada’
or ‘Holika’ since then.
There are practically no religious observances for this day like fasting
or worship. Generally a log of wood will be kept in a prominent public
place on the Vasantapanchami day (Magha Sukla Panchami), almost 40 days
before the Holi Festival. An image of Holika with child Prahlada in her
lap is also kept on the log. Holika’s image is made of combustible
materials whereas Prahlada’s image is made of non-combustible ones.
People go on throwing twigs of trees and any combustible material they
can spare, on to that log which gradually grows into a sizable heap. On
the night of Phalguna Purnima, it is set alight in a simple ceremony with
the Raksoghna Mantras of the Rgveda (4.4.1-15; 10.87.1-25 and so on) being
sometimes chanted to ward off all evil spirits. (Coconuts and coins are
thrown into this bonfire).The next morning the ashes from the bonfire
are collected as prasad (consecrated material) and smeared on the limbs
of the body. Singed coconuts, if any are also collected and eaten.
In some houses the image of Kamadeva is kept in the yard and a simple
worship is offered. A mixture of mango blossoms and sandalwood paste is
partaken as the prasad.
The day- Phalgun krsna pratipad – is observed as a day of revelry
especially by throwing on one another gulal or coloured water or perfumed
coloured powder. Throwing of mud or earth dust was prevalent in the earlier
days also, but among the low culture groups.
Instead of the gay and frenzied celebrations that are witnessed elsewhere
in the country, Bengal observes this festival in a quiet and dignified
manner as Dolapurnima or Dolayatra (the festival of the swing). The festival,
said to have been initiated by the king Indradyumna in Vrndavana, is spread
over 3 or 5 days, starting from the sukla Chaturdasi of Phalguna. A celebration
in honour of Agni and worship of Govinda (Krsna) in image on a swing are
the important features. The fire kindled on the first day is to be preserved
till the last day. The swing is to be rocked 21 times at the end of the
festival.
The day is also celebrated as the birthday of Sri Krsna Chaitanya (A.D.
1486-1533), mostly in Bengal, as also in Puri (Orissa), Mathura and Vrndavan
(in Uttar Pradesh
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