By Sri Chiraan 2008/10/28
Deepavali as celebrated from Dhanatrayodashi (ashwayuja krishna trayodashi) onwards till, Kartika tritiya is the most glamorous festival among all celebrations. On dhana trayodashi people buy gold and other precious articles as a sign of increased prosperity from then onwards day by day. Usually gambling is prohibited by shastras, it leads to sin. But on Dhanatrayodashi no sin is incurred by gambling, a symbolic win on this day indicates a profitable year.
Ashwayuja Amavasya Deepavali: this day evening Mahalaxmi is prayed in various forms. Traders pray their accounts book ,close all their dealings and make a fresh start. This day is celebrated with gait and pomp with all relatives. Sweets, gold ornaments, lights, crackers light up the entire country to a huge celebrative mood, refreshing all and everyone.
Bali Pratipada: This day is very auspicious and any work undertaken on this day before evening definitely results in success. This day an oil bath gives rejuvenation and disappearance of all diseases. Lord Vaman appeared on this day sent Bali to Patal Loka and blesses him with the seat of Indra in the next manvantara cycle. This marks the new year for salivahan saka, vikram saka. Offering many deepas (lights) on this day in avali (rows) gives immense punya.
Yama Dwitiya: On this day Yama gave classic sermon on sanctity of brother-sister relationship. He preached his sister Yamuna that elder brother is like a father to a sister, there should not be any sexual inclinations towards each other, this marks the highest sanctity in civilization. Instead he should look for an able groom and hand over his sister in marriage. This day sisters pray for long life of brothers, and invite them to their houses and offer all sweet preparations
Bhagini Tritiya: This day brothers bring their sisters to their own house and celebrate with offering her clothes , sweets, gold, and other things of honour .On this day Yamuna prayed Yama for good progeny and healthy married life.
Dwitiya is a bhadra tithi that keeps everything safe. Investments on this day keeps wealth steady. Tritiya is a jaya tithi and to obtain success this day is very apt for gains etc.
Thus Deepavali is a string of festivals where Mahalaxmi literally takes a tour of the places where she is worshipped, and the effect of glory, prosperity, and wealth and happiness is seen at every doorstep that invites her a with a lamp, and lamps and rows of lamps. Deep (lamp) Avali (rows).
Krishnarpanamastu
