The festival of Holi
Holi, the festival of colour falls on the last full moon day of the Hindu calendar of the lunar month Phalguna (normally late February/early March).
Holi is celebrated for many reasons. Firstly, it celebrates the beginning of spring and commemorates good harvests.
Secondly, it signifies the victory of Godliness over evil-doing and replacing animosity with generosity. This is seen through the well known tale from the Shrimad Bhagavat of the child devotee Prahlad. The father of Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu, considered God as his enemy and refused Prahlad to chant Shri Hari’s name. However, Prahlad continued to do so and teach his friends at school. This made Hiranyakashipu very angry as it was his desire that his child should learn to accept him as the Almighty. He ordered his soldiers to kill Prahlad. Several attempts were made to kill Prahlad in many ways including venom, weapons, snakes and being pushed from the top of the mountains but all without success. God protected him each time.
At this time, Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika said, “Prepare a fire. I have a boon that fire cannot harm me. I will sit with Prahlad on my laps and he will die.” Thus, on the last full moon day of Phalguna, Holika sat on a pyre with Prahlad on her laps. Prahlad bowed to God and indeed to everyone’s amazement, Holika was burnt to death while Prahlad survived and was unharmed from the fire. One’s powers and skills leave one who misuses them to harm others because boons are servants of God.
On seeing the rescue of Prahlad, people became joyous and began to spread various colours on one another to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Some began to spread soil on one another, hence the occasion is also celebrated as Dhuleti.
Hence forward, the occasion of Holi is marked as the conquest of faith in God over evil or wrongdoings. There is no superior master than the omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent creator of this world. All other illusory and often satanic powers falsely claim to be at par with him without realising that he is bereft of all malice, jealousy and petty-mindedness. Shri Hari is all merciful, benevolent and the protector of his devotees.
Remember: Parhit saris dharam nahi bhai, par peeda sam nahi adhmaai
Meaning: there is no greater religion than the welfare of others and there is no greater wickedness than to hurt others.
A very Happy Holi to All!