NARAKACHATURDASHI
Narakasura ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Puranas have it that Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture. But Naraka had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asked his wife Sathyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Narakasura. When Krishna fell unconscious after being hit by an arrow ofNaraka, Sathyabhama took the bow and shot an arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly.
The message of Naraka Chaturdashi Parva is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds. It is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain demon Naraka, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. It is said Lord Krishna had an oil bath to rid himself off the blood spattered on his body when Naraka was killed.
The tradition is followed by the people through a ritualistic oil bath. People offer prayers on the eve of Naraka Chaturdashi to the vessel in which the water is heated for the ritualistic bath. Fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day, are lit by the people.
Quote for the day
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. ”
—
Maya Angelou
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