Holi: Colourful Triumph of Good over Evil - about Holi  

By B K SUSHANT  

Holi: Colourful Triumph of Good over Evil - about Holi  

Holi is an abundant celebration of joy, goodness and the season of spring. The day of Holi on Phalgun Purnima (full moon day) is observed as the birthday of Manu, the start of Sambat (first day in the Hindu calendar). Holi is observed a fortnight after Mahashivratri which falls a day before Amavasya, the darkest night of the month. Spiritually, it signifies light prevailing over darkness, fear and ignorance.

Holi is associated with mal utsav (smearing of colours) and the Holika bonfire in which dry sticks and cow dung are put to fire and corn seeds burnt to the point of losing their power to germinate. The fire represents the burning away of what is old and worn out. The festivities of Holi have a central message - let bygones be bygones, bury old hatchets and start anew in the spirit of spring.

The scriptures throw light on origins of Holi. The story of Prahalad in Vishnu Puran projects the triumph of good over evil. Prahalad is devoted to Lord Vishnu while his father, King Hiranyakashyap, is an atheist engaged in religious persecution. To distract his young son from the path of devotion, the father resorts to ruthless methods, but fails. Finally, the evil king takes the help of his sister Holika who was blessed by Lord Brahma not to be consumed by fire. She enters a bonfire taking Prahalad in her lap. For misusing the boon, Holika is burnt to ashes while Prahalad comes out unscathed.

The unrelenting Hiranyakashyap tries to kill his son's mentor Lord Vishnu who emerges from a pillar as half-man, half-lion or Lord Narasimha and destroys the king. After annihilating Hiranyakashyap, Lord Narasimha blesses Prahalad and enthrones him as the successor to his father's empire. The people rejoice over the death of the evil king and coronation of Prahalad by playing with colours. This celebration has come to be known as Holi.

The wise attribute a deeper meaning to the Holi fire - that the harsher propensities of human beings should lose themselves in the heat and light of divine knowledge and meditation.

The festival assumes its true colours in Mathura and Vrindavan where it is played in memory of Krishna's dalliance with Radha and the other gopis of Gokul. People throng Krishna and Radha temples, throw colours at each other and on deities before which they sing, dance and pray. Holi is also observed as lath maar Holi in Barsana (Radha's birthplace) where women of the village use bamboo sticks and brooms to keep menfolk at bay! Besides, Holi processions are taken out on the streets, with decorated carriages displaying the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses led by Shiva on bull's back.

Although Holi is a Hindu festival, its spirit engulfs all communities and sections of society. Muslim kings like Humayun and Akbar patronised Holi celebrations during their rule. Even today, people of different faiths are invited to Holi Milan programmes where they meet and greet each other, share sweets and jokes, recite poems and songs, play colours, games and dramas in an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood.

Modern society has made a bonfire of innocence in its celebration of Holi. People have become slaves of their senses, bhogis rather than yogis. Therefore, celebrations have become superficial and gross. Yogis, given to godly wisdom and communion and control over their senses, reflect and remit the spiritual colours and contours of purity, piety and divinity. Kabir laments the lack of spiritual vision in the people who fail to see colour in spiritual terms: Rangi Ko Narangi Kahein, Bana Dudh Ka Khoya; Chalti Ko Gadi Kahein, Dekh Kabira Roya . This message rings all the more true today.

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See also: Holi, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)