Why Diwali is Celebrated: Stories of Rama, Krishna, and Goddess Lakshmi

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, illuminates homes and hearts across the world, but have you ever wondered why this grand celebration holds such profound significance? The beauty of Diwali lies in its rich tapestry of stories woven through various Hindu scriptures, each connecting the festival to different deities and divine events. Let me take you on a devotional journey through these sacred narratives.

The Victory of Lord Rama: Light Triumphing Over Darkness

The Ramayana Connection

The most widely celebrated story of Diwali comes from the ancient epic Ramayana. After fourteen years of exile in the forests, Lord Rama, along with his devoted wife Sita and loyal brother Lakshmana, returned to Ayodhya on the new moon night of Kartik month. But this wasn’t just any homecoming – it was a celebration of dharma’s victory over adharma.

Rama had just defeated the ten-headed demon king Ravana, who had abducted Sita and held her captive in Lanka. The battle between good and evil had raged, and finally, righteousness prevailed. When news reached Ayodhya that their beloved prince was returning as a victorious king, the citizens were overwhelmed with joy.

The people of Ayodhya prepared for the grandest welcome. They cleaned and decorated every home, drew beautiful rangolis at doorsteps, and most importantly, lit thousands of clay lamps (diyas) to illuminate the path for their returning prince. The entire kingdom sparkled like a constellation brought down to earth, transforming the darkest night into the brightest celebration.

This lighting of lamps symbolizes the dispelling of ignorance and the victory of knowledge, the triumph of good over evil, and the return of hope and prosperity. Even today, when we light diyas during Diwali, we honor this ancient tradition and invoke the blessings of Lord Rama.

The Spiritual Significance

Lord Rama’s return teaches us profound lessons. His adherence to truth, duty, and righteousness even in the face of tremendous adversity shows us the path of dharma. Diwali reminds us that no matter how long the night of struggles, the dawn of victory will eventually break for those who walk the righteous path.

Lord Krishna and the Defeat of Narakasura

The Bhagavata Purana Narrative

In South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, Diwali is celebrated primarily to commemorate Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. This story, found in the Bhagavata Purana, adds another layer of divine significance to the festival.

Narakasura was a powerful demon who had become a terror to the three worlds. He had stolen the earrings of Aditi (mother of the gods), usurped the throne of Indra, kidnapped sixteen thousand daughters of gods and saints, and imprisoned them in his palace. His tyranny knew no bounds, and the world desperately needed deliverance.

The gods approached Lord Krishna for help. Krishna, along with his consort Satyabhama (believed to be an incarnation of Bhudevi, Narakasura’s mother), rode on Garuda to Pragjyotishapura, the demon’s kingdom. A fierce battle ensued, and finally, Krishna slew Narakasura, liberating the world from his evil reign.

The day before Diwali, known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, specifically commemorates this victory. It was on this day that Narakasura was killed, and the sixteen thousand women were freed from captivity. Krishna then restored Aditi’s earrings and returned the territories to their rightful rulers.

The Dawn of Freedom

After the victory, Krishna is said to have taken an oil bath to cleanse himself of the demon’s blood. This tradition continues as people take early morning oil baths on Naraka Chaturdashi, symbolizing the cleansing of sins and negative energies. The lighting of lamps celebrates the liberation from oppression and the restoration of peace.

This narrative emphasizes Krishna’s role as the protector of dharma and the destroyer of evil. It reminds us that divine intervention comes to those who call upon the Lord with sincere devotion, and that no evil, however powerful, can withstand the force of divine righteousness.

Goddess Lakshmi: The Descent of Prosperity

The Churning of the Ocean

One of the most significant aspects of Diwali is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and abundance. According to the Vishnu Purana and other scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the cosmic ocean during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) on the new moon day of Kartik month – the very day we celebrate Diwali.

The Samudra Manthan is one of the most fascinating episodes in Hindu mythology. The gods and demons joined forces to churn the ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality (amrita). Using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope, they churned the cosmic ocean.

From this churning emerged numerous divine treasures, including the wish-fulfilling tree Kalpavriksha, the divine elephant Airavata, the celestial apsaras, and finally, Goddess Lakshmi herself, radiant and beautiful, seated on a lotus. She chose Lord Vishnu as her eternal consort, and with her came the promise of prosperity and well-being.

Lakshmi Puja: Inviting Abundance

The main night of Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi Puja. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, believing that Goddess Lakshmi enters only clean and well-lit homes. Rangolis are drawn at entrances to welcome her, and lamps are lit to guide her path. Business communities especially revere this night, as Lakshmi also symbolizes wealth and success in righteous ventures.

The worship of Lakshmi on Diwali teaches us important values. While we seek material prosperity, the scriptures remind us that Lakshmi’s blessings come to those who maintain purity, practice dharma, and use wealth for noble purposes. She is not just the goddess of money, but of all forms of abundance – health, happiness, knowledge, and spiritual wealth.

The Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar

The Generous King’s Devotion

Another beautiful narrative connected to Diwali, particularly celebrated in Kerala as Onam but also recognized during Diwali in some traditions, involves Lord Vishnu’s Vamana (dwarf) avatar and the benevolent demon king Bali.

King Bali, grandson of Prahlada, was an extremely powerful and righteous ruler. His empire extended across the three worlds, and his generosity was legendary. However, his growing power concerned the gods, who sought Vishnu’s help.

Vishnu incarnated as Vamana, a young brahmin dwarf, and approached King Bali during a grand yajna. The king, known for never refusing a brahmin’s request, offered Vamana anything he desired. The humble dwarf asked for just three paces of land. Bali’s guru, Shukracharya, warned him that this was no ordinary brahmin, but Bali, bound by his word and dharma, agreed.

Vamana then assumed his cosmic form (Trivikrama) and covered the earth in one step, the heavens in the second. For the third step, the noble Bali offered his own head. Pleased with Bali’s devotion and integrity, Vishnu granted him immortality and rulership of the netherworld, with permission to visit his subjects once a year.

The Light of Righteousness

This story, celebrated during Diwali in some regions, emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s word, the virtue of generosity tempered with wisdom, and the ultimate supremacy of dharma. The lighting of lamps signifies honoring both divine supremacy and the righteous devotee.

Mahavira’s Nirvana and Jain Traditions

The Enlightened One’s Liberation

For the Jain community, Diwali holds special significance as it marks the nirvana (liberation) of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, in 527 BCE. On the new moon day of Kartik, Mahavira attained moksha at Pavapuri, achieving complete liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The scriptures describe how when Mahavira attained nirvana, his chief disciples decided to keep the “light of knowledge” burning by lighting lamps, symbolizing that while the physical teacher had departed, his teachings would continue to illuminate the path for seekers. Eighteen kings who were present at the time supposedly illuminated their kingdoms to commemorate this moment of spiritual liberation.

For Jains, Diwali is not just a festival of lights but a celebration of spiritual enlightenment. It reminds devotees to follow the path of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), and aparigraha (non-attachment) taught by Mahavira.

Goddess Kali and Regional Traditions

The Divine Mother’s Night

In Bengal and some eastern regions of India, Diwali coincides with Kali Puja, the worship of Goddess Kali. According to tantric traditions and regional Puranas, this is the night when Mother Kali’s presence is most powerful and accessible to devotees.

Goddess Kali, in her fierce form, represents the destruction of evil and the protection of devotees. She is the destroyer of demons, both external and internal (our negative qualities). The dark new moon night is considered ideal for her worship, as Kali is the goddess who embraces the darkness to transform it into light.

The worship involves deep devotion, tantric rituals, and offerings made to invoke the Mother’s protection and blessings. Devotees believe that Kali destroys ignorance and ego, leading seekers toward spiritual illumination. The lamps lit during this worship symbolize the eternal light of consciousness that persists even in the darkest night.

The Coronation of King Vikramaditya

A Historical Connection

Some historical texts and traditions associate Diwali with the coronation of the legendary King Vikramaditya, who ascended the throne around 57 BCE. Known for his wisdom, valor, and justice, Vikramaditya’s reign is considered a golden age in Indian history.

His coronation was celebrated with great splendor, and it’s believed that the tradition of lighting lamps and celebrating prosperity began or was significantly reinforced during this time. While this connection is more historical than mythological, it adds another dimension to Diwali’s significance as a celebration of righteous governance and the establishment of dharma-based rule.

The Return of the Pandavas

From Exile to Victory

Some regional traditions also associate Diwali with the return of the Pandavas from their twelve-year exile and one year of living incognito (Agyatavasa), as described in the Mahabharata. After enduring tremendous hardships with unwavering devotion to dharma, the Pandavas’ return symbolized hope and the eventual triumph of righteousness.

The lighting of lamps celebrated their homecoming and the end of their period of darkness and exile. This narrative reinforces Diwali’s theme of patience in adversity, faith in divine justice, and the ultimate victory of those who stand by dharma.

The Spiritual Synthesis: One Festival, Many Meanings

Unity in Diversity

What makes Diwali truly extraordinary is how it accommodates multiple narratives without contradiction. Each story, whether of Rama, Krishna, Lakshmi, or Mahavira, carries the same essential message: the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, “In whatever way people approach Me, I accept them; all paths lead to Me” (4.11). Diwali embodies this principle. Whether you celebrate it as Rama’s return, Krishna’s victory, Lakshmi’s emergence, or Mahavira’s liberation, you’re ultimately celebrating the divine light within and around you.

The Inner Meaning

Beyond these external narratives, scriptures point to the deeper, internal significance of Diwali. The Upanishads teach us “Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya” – lead us from darkness to light. Diwali is that journey from:

Ignorance to Knowledge: Like Rama defeating Ravana (who, despite his learning, was led by his ego), we must conquer the demons of ignorance within us.
Bondage to Liberation: Like the souls freed by Krishna from Narakasura’s prison, we must liberate ourselves from the bondage of desires and attachments.
Poverty to Prosperity: Lakshmi’s blessings remind us to seek both material and spiritual wealth through righteous means.
Darkness to Illumination: Each lamp we light represents our commitment to dispel the darkness of negativity from our hearts and minds.

The Universal Message

Celebrating Diwali Today

When we celebrate Diwali today, we’re participating in a tradition that has been continuously observed for thousands of years. Every lamp we light connects us to countless generations who have celebrated these same stories and sought the same divine blessings.

The cleaning of homes represents the cleansing of our consciousness. The rangolis symbolize the beauty of welcoming the divine into our lives. The sweets we share represent the sweetness of loving relationships. The fireworks, while beautiful, should remind us to be lights that illuminate rather than noise that disturbs.

The Eternal Flame

Diwali teaches us that no matter which deity or story we connect with, the essence remains the same: within each of us burns an eternal flame of divinity. Our duty is to keep this flame alive through righteous living, devotion, compassion, and the continuous pursuit of truth.

As we light our diyas this Diwali, let’s remember we’re not just celebrating events from the past, but affirming timeless principles for the present and future. Let’s pledge to be bearers of light in a world that often seems dark, to uphold dharma in our daily lives, and to spread prosperity, joy, and peace wherever we go.

Conclusion: A Festival for All Seasons of the Soul

Diwali’s beauty lies in its ability to speak to different people in different ways while maintaining its essential message of hope, renewal, and divine grace. Whether your heart resonates with Rama’s righteousness, Krishna’s playful divinity, Lakshmi’s abundant grace, Mahavira’s ascetic wisdom, or Kali’s transformative power, Diwali welcomes you with open arms.

These stories from various scriptures aren’t contradictory but complementary, like different colors that together create the brilliant light of Diwali. They remind us that the divine manifests in countless forms, that truth has many facets, and that the light we seek is already present within us, waiting to be kindled.

This Diwali, as you light your lamps and offer your prayers, remember that you’re part of an eternal tradition that celebrates the indestructible light of consciousness, the unwavering spirit of dharma, and the infinite grace of the divine. May your life be illuminated with wisdom, your home filled with prosperity, and your heart overflowing with devotion.

Shubh Deepavali! May the festival of lights bring you and your loved ones endless joy, peace, and spiritual illumination.

May the divine light of Diwali spread into your life peace, prosperity, happiness, and good health. May the divine blessings of Rama, Krishna, Lakshmi, and all the deities be with you always.