The festival of Diwali has arrived. This five-day-long celebration starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. It is mentioned in detail in the Padma Purana, one of the 18 Puranas written by Sage Vedavyasa. In this scripture, there is a conversation between Lord Shiva and his son Kartikeya, where Kartikeya asks his father what should and shouldn’t be done during the Diwali festival. He also asks what benefits people gain from celebrating Diwali and when the lamps should be lit.
In response to Kartikeya’s curious questions, Lord Shiva explained that this month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Whoever lights a lamp of ghee or sesame oil before Lord Vishnu during this month gains the same merit as bathing in all sacred places and performing all rituals. The five days of this month are considered highly sacred. Whatever donation a person gives between the 13th day of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) and the 2nd day of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Kartik is everlasting and fulfills all desires.
Lord Shiva tells Kartikeya that food donations are the best during these five days. Therefore, one should donate food or grains to the poor. If someone gives even a tiny amount of gold, equivalent to a sesame seed, to a Brahmin or a poor person during Diwali, they and their family attain Lord Vishnu’s abode. Those who donate silver during these days go to the moon’s realm, and donating a cow during this time is equivalent to donating the entire earth with its crops.
Lord Shiva further advises Kartikeya that lamps should be lit not only in homes but also in temples and important public places during Diwali. This pleases Lord Vishnu, and it grants salvation to ancestors who have not had rituals performed for them. Ancestors always wait for the lamps to be lit in the Kartik month.
Dhanteras
In the Padma Purana, Lord Shiva tells Kartikeya that a lamp should be lit outside the house for Yamaraj on Dhanteras. This removes the fear of untimely death. While offering a lamp to Yamaraj in the southern direction, one should chant this mantra:
मृत्युनां दण्डपाशाभ्यां कालेन श्यामया सह।
त्रयोदश्यां दीपदानात् सूर्यजः प्रीयतां मम्॥
(Mrityunan dandapashabhyam kalena shyamaya sah. Trayodasyam deepadanat suryajah priyatam mam.)
Roop Chaudas
Mahadev (Lord Shiva) says that whoever bathes early in the morning on Roop Chaudas receives Yamaraj’s blessings and does not go to hell. On this day, one should offer water while remembering Yamaraj.
Things to Do on Diwali
According to Lord Shiva, on Diwali, everyone should bathe early in the morning. The women of the house should wake Goddess Lakshmi during the Brahma Muhurta and worship her to ensure the house is always blessed with wealth and prosperity. The head of the household should offer respect and worship to the ancestors.
Govardhan Puja
On Govardhan Puja, people should donate millet and rice at the temple. In the morning, one should create a Govardhan from cow dung and worship it with devotion.
Bhai Dooj
According to Lord Shiva, on this day, brothers should eat food prepared by their sisters and give them clothes as gifts. Yamaraj’s sister is Yamuna, and bathing in the Yamuna River on this day ensures one does not go to Yamalok (the realm of death). One should worship Yamaraj and seek his blessings.
The Festival of Bathing and Giving
In addition to the Padma Purana, Diwali is also mentioned in the Skanda Purana and the Bhavishya Purana, where it is called the festival of bathing and giving. It is said that bathing and donating on this day frees one from all sins. On Kartik Amavasya (the new moon day), one should bathe in water mixed with Ganges water to gain the same merit as bathing at a pilgrimage site. According to these Puranas, donating warm clothes on this day is considered the best.
