Shri Radhe Guru Maa - Naraka Chaturdashi

Narakasur vadh

This is the day Lord Krishna killed the demon Mura, the general of King Narakasura's forces,  and came to be called Murari. Narakasura was the son of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha avatar and Bhudevi or mother Earth.

Lord Krishna and Mata Satyabhama killed Narakasura who had kidnapped thousands of women and was harassing the Devas but before he died he asked Satyabhama, who was an avatar of Bhudevi - his own mother. He wanted people to mark the day of his death by lighting lamps! 

May we remember Lord Krishna, Mother Bhudevi and Mata Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu on this day! May their light always shine on us! 

Note -

To know more about Guru Maa’s teachings you may follow her on her account on Twitter and Facebook or log on to www.radhemaa.com. These social pages are handled by her devoted sevadars. To experience her divine grace, Bhakti Sandhyas and Shri Radhe Guru Maa Ji’s darshans are conducted every 15 days at Shri Radhe Maa Bhavan in Borivali, Mumbai. The darshans are free and open to everyone.

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The Significance of Chhoti Diwali

The day before Diwali is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi or 'small Diwali'. It is Diwali on a smaller scale, with fewer lights lit and fewer crackers burst. The morning after Choti Diwali, the women of the house make beautiful, colored rangoli in the doorway and courtyard. Tiny footprints made out of rice paste are a special feature of the rangolis made for Diwali. In Hindu homes, Chhoti Diwali celebrations involve a ritual puja to Goddess Lakshmi and also to Rama in the evening. Songs in honor of the god are sung and aarti is performed.

In South India that victory of the divine over the mundane is celebrated in a very peculiar way. People wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste.

In Maharashtra also, traditional early baths with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders are a `must'. All through the ritual of baths, deafening sounds of crackers and fireworks are there in order that the children enjoy bathing. Afterward steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served.