HOLI
Holi is one of the most festive, joyous
holidays of the Hindu year. Holi is
celebrated from the full moon day (Pournimā) of the Hindu lunar month of
Phālgun until the fifth day ( Rang Panchamī). Depending on regional variations, it is
celebrated from two to five days. It has
various names such as Hori, Dolayatra in North India, Shimga, Holi and
Hutashani mahotsav, Holikadahan (burning of Holika) in Goa, Konkan and
Maharashtra, and Kamadahan (burning of desires) in South India. One can
also call it Vasantotsav or Vasantagamanotsav that is the festival celebrated
to welcome the Vasant (spring) season.
Shri
Vishnu performed Dhoolivandan at the beginning of Tretayuga. The implied
meaning is, Lord Vishnu began His 'work' through the incarnation of various
radiant colors. Rang panchami, played without Dhoolivandan signifies the 'Play' (Leela) of the
Incarnation, which is manifest in the forms of various colors. The Dhoolivandan
is the worship of the destroyer form of the Deities. The fire, which
shines with its brilliance on Holi, decomposes the raja-tama particles in the
atmosphere and this helps activate various Deities in the form of colors. This
bliss is celebrated by throwing colors in the air.
The
story of HOLI : In some parts of India the story is told on
Holi of Kamadeva (God of Love;Cupid), whom Lord Shiva burned to ashes as he
tried to seduce Him out of His meditation. The message is: Holi is a
celebration of divinity and discipline over passion. celebrate love, but don’t
be carried away.
The Puranas
describe Holi as a celebration of virtue over vice. Prahlaad was a young, pure, divine devotee of God. However,
Prahlaad’s father was a powerful king who believed that everyone should worship
him. At Prahlaad’s refusal to do so, due to his single-minded love of God, his
father decided to have him killed. Prahlaad’s aunt (his father’s sister),
Holika, had been given a special shawl as a boon from God for various
austerities she had performed. When she wore this shawl, she could not be
burned by fire. Therefore, Prahlaad’s father and his sister devised a plan in
which she would wear her shawl and hold Prahlaad tightly in her arms as they
sat in fire. In this way, Prahlaad would be killed. However, as divine plan
works, a strong gust of wind came and blew the shawl off of her, as well as
carried pure Prahlaad to safety. Holika was burned in the fire of her own evil
and immorality.
Significance of Holi : One of the great obstacles in
life to our spiritual progress is the difference between what we do or say on
the outside and how we really are on the inside. Holika on the outside, she was
“pious.” But, on the inside, she was not pure. Prahlaad, was a simple, pure,
loving devotee of God. This is what saved him. This inner purity and inner
piety are what truly save us, what truly make our lives divine. So many of us
go to the temple, do the rituals, offer money to the priests, and chant a
certain number of Malas and Mantras. Then, we go out and act in selfish,
unpious, dishonest ways. It may simply be the way we speak to our loving children,
spouse, family members, or friends. It may simply be the way we try to cheat
those with whom we do business. It may be the way we sit and gossip about
others. Any rituals and puja in the
world cannot make up for a lack of piety, honesty, and compassion. The goal of
going to temple is not just to perform rituals; the goal is to become
spiritual. God is happier with pure, innocent, devoted Prahlaad than with all
the austerities and rituals performed by his father and aunt.
One
meaning of the word Holi is sacrifice. On Holi, we light so many bonfires to
revel in joy and to burn the effigies of Holika. The meanings of these bonfires
are to burn that which is devilish and impure, leaving only the purity and
divinity after Holi. We must remember to sacrifice that within us, which is
devilish and impure. There is some demon-nature in all of us. We must burn that
demon-nature on Holi and emerge as pure and pious as divine Prahlaad. Thus, on
this divine occasion, we should pray to be filled with the purity and devotion
of Prahlaad. We should commit ourselves to performing our puja, meditation, and
japa with focus, dedication, and deep love for God. We must have an
ever-burning bonfire of impurity, so that we are continuously renewed,
continuously purified, and continuously rejuvenated. On Holi, we sing loudly in
the Hindi language: “Holi I, Holi I, Holi I….” However, let us not just chant
this rhyme; rather, let us truly pray to God that on this day “I” may become
holy. Our “eye” may become holy, that we may be granted the divine vision by
which we behold Him in all whom we see. Let us pray that through our holy eye,
we never are led toward anger, greed, desire, or jealousy. In that way, our lives,
our hearts, and our souls will be forever protected, at His holy feet.
LET THIS HOLI BE A TIME WHEN WE CHANGE ,NOT ONLY
THE COLOR OF OUR FACES,
BUT THE COLOR OF OUR HEARTS.
LET US NOT ONLY “PLAY” HOLI, BUT
LET US BECOME HOLY.
HAPPY HOLI……HAPPY
HOLI…. WITH LOVE & HARMONY
May
the shines of this Holi brighten your path towards progress and continued success. May this splendid festival spread colorful
joy, wealth, celebration and remove ignorance in your life.
Have a
wonderful year filled with peace, prosperity, happiness. Happy
Holi! From Dilip,Rita, Mom to Kishan forever
