Diwali Legends from Different Puranas: A Comparative View

Diwali, the festival of lights, illuminates not just our homes but also reveals the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology. While most associate Diwali with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, the Puranas present multiple narratives that converge on this auspicious occasion. Each legend offers unique spiritual insights while celebrating the eternal victory of light over darkness.

The Ramayana Connection: Lord Rama’s Triumphant Return

The Valmiki Ramayana Account

The most widely celebrated Diwali legend comes from the Ramayana, though the specific mention of lamp-lighting is more prominent in later retellings and regional versions. After fourteen years of exile and the epic battle against Ravana in Lanka, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana on the new moon night of Kartik month.

The citizens of Ayodhya, overjoyed by their beloved prince’s return, illuminated the entire kingdom with countless clay lamps (diyas). The darkness of the moonless night was transformed into a celebration of light, symbolizing the return of righteousness and the defeat of evil. This homecoming marked not just a personal victory but the restoration of dharma itself.

Spiritual Significance: This narrative emphasizes patience, devotion to duty, and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. The fourteen years of waiting by Ayodhya’s citizens represents unwavering faith and loyalty.

The Skanda Purana: Narakasura’s Defeat

Krishna’s Victory Over Darkness

The Skanda Purana and various regional texts narrate how Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura on the day before Diwali, known as Naraka Chaturdashi. Narakasura, the son of Bhudevi (Mother Earth), had become tyrannical, capturing 16,000 daughters of gods and saints, and stealing the earrings of Aditi, Krishna’s mother.

Krishna, riding his vehicle Garuda, waged a fierce battle against Narakasura. The demon possessed a boon that only his mother could kill him. When Krishna’s arrow struck, Bhudevi herself empowered the weapon, liberating her son from his demonic karma. Before dying, Narakasura realized his mistakes and requested that his death anniversary be celebrated with lights and joy.

Krishna returned victorious at dawn, and people celebrated by applying fragrant oils (abhyanga snan) and lighting lamps. This is why oil baths are traditional on Naraka Chaturdashi.

Spiritual Significance: This legend teaches that divine grace can liberate even the most fallen souls. It emphasizes the importance of maternal wisdom and the possibility of redemption at life’s final moments.

The Vishnu Purana: Vamana Avatar and Bali

The Divine Dwarf’s Victory

The Vishnu Purana narrates how Lord Vishnu, in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar, subdued the righteous yet ambitious demon king Bali. Bali had conquered the three worlds through his penance and generosity, threatening the cosmic balance.

Vamana appeared before Bali during a yajna and requested three paces of land. Despite guru Shukracharya’s warnings, the generous Bali agreed. Vamana then expanded to cosmic proportions, covering earth in one step, heaven in the second, and for the third, Bali offered his own head, demonstrating supreme surrender.

Pleased with Bali’s devotion, Vishnu granted him rulership of Patala (netherworld) and permission to visit his subjects once yearly. In Kerala, this homecoming of Bali is celebrated as Onam, but it connects to the Diwali theme of a righteous ruler being honored.

Spiritual Significance: True devotion and surrender transcend victory and defeat. The legend teaches that dharma is maintained through cosmic balance, not just earthly power.

The Padma Purana: Lakshmi’s Emergence

The Churning of the Cosmic Ocean

The Padma Purana describes how Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) during the churning by gods and demons seeking the nectar of immortality. She arose seated on a lotus, radiant with divine beauty, holding lotus flowers and showering prosperity.

Lakshmi chose Lord Vishnu as her consort, and her appearance is celebrated as a manifestation of divine abundance. The new moon night of Kartik (Diwali) is considered especially auspicious for Lakshmi worship, as she bestows wealth and prosperity upon devotees who welcome her with lights and cleanliness.

The tradition of lighting lamps to welcome Lakshmi stems from this legend. Clean homes, rangoli decorations, and illuminated doorways are believed to attract her blessings.

Spiritual Significance: True wealth encompasses spiritual prosperity, not just material abundance. The goddess rewards cleanliness, order, and devotional preparation.

The Bhagavata Purana: Govardhan Puja

Krishna Lifts the Mountain

The Bhagavata Purana recounts how young Krishna convinced the residents of Vrindavan to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Indra, the king of gods. Enraged, Indra sent devastating rains to flood Vrindavan.

Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Hill on his little finger, providing shelter to all the people and cattle for seven days. Humbled, Indra realized Krishna’s supremacy and ceased the rains. The day after Diwali, Govardhan Puja (Annakut) is celebrated, commemorating this divine protection.

Spiritual Significance: This legend teaches that divine presence exists in nature and in our immediate environment. It emphasizes local ecology, community welfare, and the futility of ego, even among the powerful.

The Shiva Purana: Kali’s Transformation

The Fierce Goddess Calmed

Lesser-known but significant, some interpretations connect Diwali to Goddess Kali’s transformation. After slaying demons and becoming intoxicated with bloodlust, Kali’s dance threatened to destroy creation. Lord Shiva lay beneath her feet, and upon recognizing him, she calmed down, her tongue protruding in shock and shame at stepping on her consort.

This moment of realization, when destruction yields to consciousness, is celebrated with lights symbolizing awareness conquering blind fury. In Bengal and Eastern India, Kali Puja coincides with Diwali night.

Spiritual Significance: Even divine wrath must be balanced with awareness. The legend represents the transformation of raw power into conscious grace, and the importance of recognizing the sacred even in moments of intensity.

The Jain Connection: Mahavira’s Nirvana

While not from Hindu Puranas, it’s noteworthy that Jains celebrate Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira attained nirvana (liberation) in 527 BCE at Pavapuri. His followers lit lamps to symbolize the light of knowledge he left behind, creating a parallel tradition that enriches the festival’s significance.

Comparative Analysis: Common Themes Across Legends

Despite diverse narratives, several unifying themes emerge from these Puranic accounts:

1. Victory of Light Over Darkness

Whether Rama defeating Ravana, Krishna vanquishing Narakasura, or Kali gaining consciousness, each legend celebrates illumination conquering ignorance or evil.

2. Divine Protection

From Krishna lifting Govardhan to Rama protecting Sita, these stories emphasize that the divine actively intervenes to protect devotees and restore cosmic order.

3. Cyclical Return

Rama’s return to Ayodhya, Bali’s annual visit, and Lakshmi’s recurring blessings all represent the cyclical nature of divine grace and seasonal renewal.

4. Transformation and Redemption

Narakasura’s final realization, Bali’s surrender, and Kali’s awakening all demonstrate that even the fallen or furious can find redemption through divine contact.

5. Celebration of Dharma

Each narrative ultimately celebrates righteousness, proper conduct, and the cosmic law that governs existence.

Regional Variations and Celebrations

North India: Primarily celebrates Rama’s return, with emphasis on family reunions and new beginnings.

South India: Focuses on Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, with elaborate oil baths and early morning celebrations.

West India (Gujarat): Marks the beginning of the new year and celebrates Lakshmi with business account renewals.

East India (Bengal, Odisha): Emphasizes Kali Puja, celebrating Shakti worship alongside traditional Diwali.

Kerala: Connects to the Bali-Vamana legend through Onam celebrations earlier in the year, with Diwali maintaining the theme of righteous rule.

The Synthesized Spiritual Message

The beauty of Diwali lies in its ability to accommodate multiple narratives without contradiction. Each Puranic legend offers a different facet of the same spiritual truth: that consciousness, righteousness, and divine grace will ultimately triumph over ignorance, evil, and chaos.

The festival invites us to light lamps not just in our homes but in our hearts—dispelling the darkness of ignorance, greed, and negativity. Whether we commemorate Rama’s return, Krishna’s victory, Lakshmi’s blessings, or Kali’s awakening, we participate in an ancient celebration of hope, renewal, and spiritual illumination.

Conclusion: Unity in Diversity

The various Puranic accounts of Diwali demonstrate Hinduism’s remarkable capacity to embrace multiple truths simultaneously. Rather than competing narratives, these legends complement each other, offering devotees different paths to the same destination—spiritual awakening and the celebration of divine light.

As we light our diyas this Diwali, we honor not just one legend but the entire spectrum of divine manifestations that guide humanity from darkness to light. Each flame represents a prayer, each legend offers wisdom, and together they illuminate the eternal truth that light will always dispel darkness, both in the cosmos and within our souls.

May this Diwali bring light, prosperity, and spiritual wisdom to all. Shubh Deepavali!