Temple Blog

Holi

By Neeta Pai
(From the Temple Newsletter Archives - March 2011)

Holi festival or Holikotsava has been pegged for Holika, the wicked aunt of Prahlada, who was blessed by a boon that prevented her from being harmed by fire. When Prahlada's father, the mighty King Hiranyakashyap's ego was damaged by his son's devotion to Lord Vishnu instead of himself, Hiranyakashyap desperately made many unsuccessful attempts on Prahlada's life. Prahlada was to be trampled by mighty elephants, pushed off of a high cliff, left in a room full of deadly venomous snakes, attacked by the mighty king's soldiers, fed poison that miraculously turned in to nectar, and finally, seated in Holika's lap on a pyre of intensely burning fire.
According to the story from the Puranas, Holika, in spite of her boon, was burned in the fire, while Prahlada came unscathed from all the trials, including the fire, having staunchly prayed to Lord Vishnu for safe keeping. This incident is re-enacted with great gusto in certain North Indian states, by setting up a pyre 40 days in advance with Holika, who is flammable, and an idol of Prahlada formed of a non-flammable material, with people adding wood, coconut, old furniture and other items to this pyre as they clean their homes.
Holi is celebrated by Hindus with a lot of gaiety, merriment and frolic. One can write a Magnum Opus on Prahlada, from various Puranic texts of Hinduism. Even the Guru Granth Sahib mentions Prahlada 27 times, but Sikhism believes Paramatma (supreme god) or Waheguru saved him. However, the story of Holi will remain incomplete unless a mention is made of Hiranyakashyap's demise.
Hiranyakashyap, through his austerities, had won a boon from Lord Brahma, that his death not be caused by man or beast, with or without a weapon, during day or night, indoors or outdoors, on earth or in the sky; thus granting him the undisputed lordship over the material world. Hiranyakashyap used this boon for his own selfish purposes, killing residents of all the worlds at will.
Prahlada worshipped Lord Vishnu against his father's will, believing Lord Vishnu to be the most powerful of all, residing in all the living beings and was present everywhere, being Omnipotent. This angered his father, who drew his sword from the sheath and asked his son, "Is your Vishnu present in this pillar too?", striking the pillar with his powerful sword. Lord Vishnu emerged from the pillar in the form of Nara-Simha (man-lion, neither man nor beast), at twilight (neither day nor night), carried Hiranyakashyap to the threshold of the room (neither indoors nor outdoors), held him in His lap (neither on earth nor in the sky), and killed him by tearing him with His claws (with or without a weapon). Lord Vishnu, the preserver of virtuous beings, thus nullified the boon Hiranyakashyap was blessed with, to save his devotee, Prahlada's life.
Indian Mythology has many stories on the orgin of Holi festival depicted in pictures, Holy Scriptures and legends, the most prominent being, Holika dahan. It is also believed that Lord Shiva opened His third eye on this day burning Kamadeva to ashes and Holi is celebrated with Shiva worship in certain eastern parts of India. The day is celebrated as the Birthday of Sri Chaitanya (AD 1486 -1533) in Bengal, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. In Bengal, Holi is celebrated in a quiet manner as Dolayatra (festival of swings) spread over 3-5 days with images of Krishna in the swing.
The Holi festival is very ancient, existing several centuries before Christ, marking the end of year on Phalguna Purnima (12th day in the waxing phase of the moon of Phalguna month on the Hindu lunar calendar) and beginning of Spring (Vasantha Ritu). Originally, Holi was a special rite of the married women, who worshipped the moon for the well being of their family. Slowly the full moon festival of Holika became a festival of joy, proclaiming the commencement ofspring with grand celebration of color, harmony, love and brotherhood. Holi is celebrated in a variety of traditions in India, from a quiet and dignified way to wild and eventful enthusiasm, from south to north and east to west. For more information on how various Indian states celebrate this festival, go to http://www.indianetzone.com/18/holi_indian_states.htm.
References: Literature from Ramakrishna Mission, Wikipedia, holifestival.org, vacationsIndia, and a few other web sites.

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