As dawn breaks on the second day of Diwali , a gentle fragrance of oil lamps, incense, and jasmine fills the air. It is Naraka Chaturdashi , or Chhoti Diwali—a day when people rise before sunrise, take sacred oil baths, and light lamps to welcome light into their homes and hearts. But beneath the rituals and brightness lies a deeper symbolism: this day reminds us to confront the shadows within, to destroy the darkness before we embrace the festival of light.
The Story of Narakasura
The Bhagavata Purana tells us of Narakasura, a mighty asura king who began as righteous but fell into the grip of ego. Armed with divine boons, he misused his power, spreading tyranny across heaven and earth. He enslaved thousands, stole sacred jewels, and cast terror over the world.
When the cries of the oppressed reached Lord Krishna, He rode forth with His consort Satyabhama, the incarnation of Mother Earth. Together they faced the arrogant demon in a fierce battle. When Narakasura was struck down, his arrogance melted into remorse. In his final breath, he asked that his death not be mourned but celebrated with light and joy—as a symbol of the end of ignorance and cruelty.
That is why, on this day, we light lamps before sunrise: to commemorate the moment when darkness yielded to wisdom, and even a fallen soul glimpsed redemption. The legend transforms from a tale of war to one of awakening—where the fiercest battle is the one fought within.
The Demon Within
Every myth is a mirror. Narakasura lives not in history books but within the human heart. His kingdom of oppression is the inner world ruled by ego, anger, greed, and fear. The “hell” (Naraka) he created outwardly exists also within us when we let these forces rule our thoughts and actions.
The Vedanta teaches that every human being carries two natures—the higher Self that seeks truth and the lower self that clings to illusion. When the lower nature dominates, we lose sight of our divinity. Narakasura’s fall represents this inner corruption; Krishna’s victory, the rise of consciousness.
The battle between the two is eternal. Each day we are asked: will light or darkness rule our mind? The scriptures describe the three gunas—tamas (darkness), rajas (restless passion), and sattva (purity). Naraka Chaturdashi celebrates the moment sattva conquers tamas—when the clarity of awareness dispels the fog of ignorance.
Cleansing Before Illumination
The early-morning oil bath observed today is more than a hygienic ritual; it is symbolic. As oil softens the body and water washes it clean, the act represents washing away inner negativity—ego, envy, resentment—before the soul steps into Diwali’s light.
Lighting diyas and bursting crackers echo this same message. Each flame reminds us of the antar jyoti, the inner lamp of consciousness. Each spark of light represents the destruction of a limitation, the scattering of shadows. Before we decorate our homes, we are called to cleanse our hearts. For the lamp outside can glow only when the lamp within is lit.
From Bondage to Freedom
Just as Krishna freed Narakasura’s captives, divine wisdom liberates us from inner bondage. The Upanishads remind us that the Atman—the true Self—is ever-pure and free; it is only veiled by avidya (ignorance). When ignorance is burned away by the fire of awareness, what remains is pure light.
That is why the ancient prayer says: Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya—Lead me from darkness to light. Naraka Chaturdashi is that inner journey: from restlessness to stillness, from fear to faith, from confusion to clarity.
If Diwali is the celebration of light, this day is the purification before illumination. We must first empty the vessel of our mind of its impurities so that divine grace can fill it. Just as Mother Satyabhama’s arrow pierced the demon, may wisdom pierce through our stubborn patterns and release the light hidden within.
Lighting the Lamp Within
As you light your lamps this Chhoti Diwali, pause for a quiet moment. Let each flame remind you of a truth you wish to reclaim: peace over pride, compassion over competition, faith over fear. Let every spark of light burn away one layer of darkness.
For the real Diwali begins when the Narakasura within is slain—when the mind surrenders its arrogance and the heart returns to love. Then the festival of lights is no longer just an external spectacle but a revelation of the soul.
May this Naraka Chaturdashi bring you the courage to face your inner demons, the wisdom to release them, and the grace to discover that the light you seek has always been your own.
Happy Diwali – from Darkness to Light.
Authors: Shashank R Joshi and Shambo S Samajdar
The Story of Narakasura
The Bhagavata Purana tells us of Narakasura, a mighty asura king who began as righteous but fell into the grip of ego. Armed with divine boons, he misused his power, spreading tyranny across heaven and earth. He enslaved thousands, stole sacred jewels, and cast terror over the world.
When the cries of the oppressed reached Lord Krishna, He rode forth with His consort Satyabhama, the incarnation of Mother Earth. Together they faced the arrogant demon in a fierce battle. When Narakasura was struck down, his arrogance melted into remorse. In his final breath, he asked that his death not be mourned but celebrated with light and joy—as a symbol of the end of ignorance and cruelty.
That is why, on this day, we light lamps before sunrise: to commemorate the moment when darkness yielded to wisdom, and even a fallen soul glimpsed redemption. The legend transforms from a tale of war to one of awakening—where the fiercest battle is the one fought within.
The Demon Within
Every myth is a mirror. Narakasura lives not in history books but within the human heart. His kingdom of oppression is the inner world ruled by ego, anger, greed, and fear. The “hell” (Naraka) he created outwardly exists also within us when we let these forces rule our thoughts and actions.
The Vedanta teaches that every human being carries two natures—the higher Self that seeks truth and the lower self that clings to illusion. When the lower nature dominates, we lose sight of our divinity. Narakasura’s fall represents this inner corruption; Krishna’s victory, the rise of consciousness.
The battle between the two is eternal. Each day we are asked: will light or darkness rule our mind? The scriptures describe the three gunas—tamas (darkness), rajas (restless passion), and sattva (purity). Naraka Chaturdashi celebrates the moment sattva conquers tamas—when the clarity of awareness dispels the fog of ignorance.
Cleansing Before Illumination
The early-morning oil bath observed today is more than a hygienic ritual; it is symbolic. As oil softens the body and water washes it clean, the act represents washing away inner negativity—ego, envy, resentment—before the soul steps into Diwali’s light.
Lighting diyas and bursting crackers echo this same message. Each flame reminds us of the antar jyoti, the inner lamp of consciousness. Each spark of light represents the destruction of a limitation, the scattering of shadows. Before we decorate our homes, we are called to cleanse our hearts. For the lamp outside can glow only when the lamp within is lit.
From Bondage to Freedom
Just as Krishna freed Narakasura’s captives, divine wisdom liberates us from inner bondage. The Upanishads remind us that the Atman—the true Self—is ever-pure and free; it is only veiled by avidya (ignorance). When ignorance is burned away by the fire of awareness, what remains is pure light.
That is why the ancient prayer says: Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya—Lead me from darkness to light. Naraka Chaturdashi is that inner journey: from restlessness to stillness, from fear to faith, from confusion to clarity.
If Diwali is the celebration of light, this day is the purification before illumination. We must first empty the vessel of our mind of its impurities so that divine grace can fill it. Just as Mother Satyabhama’s arrow pierced the demon, may wisdom pierce through our stubborn patterns and release the light hidden within.
Lighting the Lamp Within
As you light your lamps this Chhoti Diwali, pause for a quiet moment. Let each flame remind you of a truth you wish to reclaim: peace over pride, compassion over competition, faith over fear. Let every spark of light burn away one layer of darkness.
For the real Diwali begins when the Narakasura within is slain—when the mind surrenders its arrogance and the heart returns to love. Then the festival of lights is no longer just an external spectacle but a revelation of the soul.
May this Naraka Chaturdashi bring you the courage to face your inner demons, the wisdom to release them, and the grace to discover that the light you seek has always been your own.
Happy Diwali – from Darkness to Light.
Authors: Shashank R Joshi and Shambo S Samajdar
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