People celebrate the day of Dhanteras as an event of spending money over gold. In reality, it is the day when the Lord of health, Lord Dhanvantri emerged from the act of divine churning. He is the Lord of health. He taught us the ways to attain physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. He gave the teachings to Acharya Sushruta, the father of modern medicine. Sushruta Samhita, the Indian classical treatise, elucidates the concept of Oneness amongst all dwellers of the cosmos. After Sushruta Samhita, other treatises, viz, Charak Samhita, and the rest emerged.
Spending money for the same celebrating festive mood is a futile business rather, it is important to cherish health for holistic wellbeing.
Narak Chaudas is the day when Narakasura, a demon was killed by Mother Kali. It is also called Kali Chaudas. If we cease cherishing the senses with its objects and continue moving within, we will unveil the Kali. Cherishing the senses takes us to hell, the Narak. Only Kali can devour as well as quench our desires. From a bicycle to a car, then to a bigger car, then to an airplane, to a rocket and …… Sri Krishna asked Arjuna to surrender to the Eternity. He never asked his disciples to leave the desires but to fix the mind on the Self, for we remain free from Maya.
The day of Diwali marks the arrival of Rama, Mother Sita, and Lakshmana in Ayodhya. It is the day when Mother Lakshmi rose from the churned sea, thus called Lakshmi Pooja.
The day next to Diwali is celebrated as Govardhana Pooja. Sri Krishna initiated the ritual to revere Mother Nature.
There is a deep story behind the ritual of Govardhana Pooja. There was a tradition to worship Indra, for he was the King of heaven and brought rains on the planet. People collected offerings for the pooja and performed a grand yajna.
Sri Krishna was at a tender age. He asked his father Nanda Baba the rationality of the ritual. Nanda Baba said that the rituals were the traditions practiced by their ancestors for generations, and they had to cherish them. Little Krishna said that they should remember Eternity instead of a demigod who was merely carrying out the commands of Narayana. Nanda Baba could not affirm the notion. Krishna was stubborn and made all efforts to convince all the people. Krishna said that Indra was merely carrying out his duties under the Eternal law. He continued that they should worship the Oneness, and if people could not worship the formless, they could revere Mother Nature. Krishna asked the dwellers of Vrindavan about the entity which nurtured them and their cows. Krishna even answered the question and pointed to Govardhana Hill. He declared that people would offer their offerings to Govardhana Hill. People rejoiced, and the yajna offered tributes to Govardhana Hill.
Indra gathered wrath when he saw his disrespect. He commanded all the clouds to gather over Vrindavana and submerge the village within no time. Krishna felt that he should save his villagers. He walked to the Govardhana Hill and lifted it with the little finger. People walked under the hill and tucked their sticks to support the hill as they thought that Krishna would not be able to hold the hill for a longer time.
Rains and storms persisted for seven days and nights. People remained comfortable under the hill. Soon, Indra realized that Krishna was no other than Narayana and withdrew the clouds. As the sun peeped through the horizon, people rejoiced and moved out.
Indra appeared and asked for forgiveness from Krishna.
The second day is Bhai Dooj. The day reminds us of the pure relations between Yama and Yamuna. If we nurture the purity of Mother Yamuna in our hearts, liberation becomes certain. Bhai Dooj is a special day based on the relationship between Yamuna and Yamraja. River Yamuna is one of the most pious rivers flowing on the land of Bharat. Yamraja is the Lord of Death. People believe that the ones who revere Mother Nature and cherish her bounties do not face Yamraja. If we keep the rivers clean, we will enjoy freshwaters which will cherish our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. If we are healthy, we can focus our inner vision on the soul within. Only Eternity can liberate us and free us from the interactions with Yamraja.
In tradition, we perform aarti of our brothers for they are blessed with good health and strength to cherish Mother Nature.