Death and Divali

DEATH AND DIVALI

 

A Time of Less Lights

by Sateesh Maharaj

Divali is one of the most auspicious time in the Hindu calendar. It is a night to rejoice and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil. But whenever there is a death in a Hindu household, the family involved must change their disposition from one of merriment to one of reserved observance.

Pundit Lutchmidath Persad-Maharaj, Public Relations Officer of the Pundits Parishaad of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, and Public Relations Officer of the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO) said to understand the impact of death on Divali, one must first look at the definition of Divali.
"Divali," he explained, "is the celebration of the inner light which represents the presence of God in all of us. It helps Man strive for perfection in all aspects of life, and helps to project mankind to a higher level of spiritual social and personal consciousness. Even though Divali is
a celebration, it entails a lot of spirituality and establishes a higher level of moral and spiritual values."

He added that Divali focuses on personal, physical and spiritual purification and that physically cleansing oneself though the process of fasting meant abstaining from negative indulgences such as alcohol, flesh and other non uplifting indulgences. The pundit said that the process of fasting enables Man to empower himself and take control of his life by building self discipline.

Since the focus of the preparation for Divali lies in cleansing and self-purification, Pundit Persad-Maharaj then explained how death affects this state. "The Hindu definition of death, according to the [religious text] Garuda Purana, is the separation of the soul from the physical body. The minute the soul demits the body, that body loses all its vital energy and thus
decay and decomposition it begins. The body is now described as impure or
'Chutihaar' (unclean)."

He said that as a result of this, the home where a funeral would have been held, and members of the family associated with the departed, would be considered spiritually unclean until a period of purification is observed. This period ends on the twelfth or thirteenth day after the funeral, and is marked by the performance of the 'Vishnu Shraad' or 'Bandara'.

The learned pundit said that Hindu scriptures have directed that a period of eleven months (Ekadas Maas) be observed in honour of the departed by abstaining from festive occasions like weddings, parties, or festive occasions. "As a result, Divali being a celebration is restricted to the lighting of eight deeyas which signifies the blessings of the eight forms or eight concepts of virtue of Mother Lakshmi--the celebrated deity of Divali. The eight forms or 'Astha-Roop' of Maha Lakshmi sybolises the eight blessings of values that the goddess bestows unto her devotees."

These blessings are the blessing of the home, the fulfillment of married life, the attainment of wealth, the blessing of food and grain (barakat), brightening our pathway, intellectual excellence, the achievement of perfection and the acquisition of high morals and values. The devotee is still allowed to make small offerings through food and prayer.

"Simple Divali pooja," he continued, "including havaan, offering of prasad (fruits and sweets called 'meethai' and 'mohanbhog') and the chanting of mantras and bhajans are allowed but the celebrative parts, that is, lighting of many deeyas, illumination by the use of coloured lights, loud music and explosive fireworks are discouraged in maintaining the period of respect and regard to the departed." Pundit Persad-Maharaj said that according to the laws that govern Hindu marriage or 'Vivah Sanskaar', when the saptapadi (seven circumambulations
of the fire) are completed, the new wife accepts the 'Gotra' (hereditary disposition of the husband). As a result of that, the paternal links to the family would be greater. The observance of the restrictions when death occurs, therefore, would be more applicable when such an event occurs with the father or his relatives.

Following the death, there is the monthly offering of the Pindar (rice ball) on the 'Amaawasya' (new moon). That monthly ritual ends on the eleventh month with the performance of the 'Ekadas Vishnu Shraad' (second bandara). Another important observance around this sacred time is the lighting of the 'Yam Deet' deeya, which is done on the evening before Divali. It is placed under a toolsie tree with the prayer that the deities ward off any negative energies or forces that might distract the completion of a fulfilling Divali celebration. The day after Divali is also very auspicious and is observed as 'Govardhan Pooja'. It is marked with the worship of Lord Krishna in the form of the Govardhan mountain which is believed to be all that nature gives to us for our sustenance and happiness.