‘Narak Chaturdashi’(14th day of lunar fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartika)) is also known as kali chaudas’. According to ‘Puranas’ (Hindu Scriptures), on this day, Lord Krishna killed the demon ‘Narakasura’ and made the world overcome its fear from the demons. This festival is celebrated in remembrance of their victory.
Another tale says that in ‘Vamana Avtar’( incarnation ), Lord Vishnu measured the whole universe with one foot. Lord Vamana became very happy with the sacrifice and devotion of king Bali and asked for a boon.
Bali then prayed to God that ‘If any of the citizens of my kingdom worships ‘Yamraja ‘ on the three days i.e. ‘Kartik Krishna Tryodashi, Narak chaturdashi and Dipawali, he would not get any suffering by Yama and Goddess Laxmi would never leave his house.
Lord blessed him with the same, that whosoever will light diyas on these three days, Goddess Laxmi would never leave him.
Rituals of the Day
On this day , Goddess Laxmi resides in oil and Goddess Ganga resides in water. Therefore, one who gets up before the sun rises and does oil massage and thereafter have bath, does not have the sight of ‘Yamloka (the hell)’. One who takes bath after sunrise and doesn’t offer diyas for Yamaraja after sunset has to suffer badly.
After taking bath wear fresh clothes, apply tilak on your forehead put some sesame seeds in a bowl full of water and stand facing south direction, chant the following mantra thrice and offer the water filled in your palm thrice and light a four cornered diya. This process is called auspicious Yama- Tarpan (offering to Yama). This destroys all the sins happened by you during the whole year.
Om Yamaye namah, Om Dharmarajae namah, Om mrutave namah
Om antkaye namah, Om vaivswataye namah, Om kaalaye namah
Om sarvbhukshaye namah, Om audumbarae namah,
Om dadhnaye namah, Om neelaye namah, Om parameshtine namah, Om vrakkodrae namah, ,Om chitrae namah, Om chitraguptae namah,
On this day, light diyas everywhere like temples, kitchen, bathroom, and other auspicious trees like Basil, Banyan, Peepal, Amla, Mango etc, river banks, Garde & Cowsheds etc…
To please Goddess Laxmi chant “Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Kamalvasinye Swaha.” In the night make ‘kajal’(kohl) using mustard oil and pure ghee in a diya and apply it into your eyes. This improves eye sight and saves from evil eyes.
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Prernamurti Bharti Shriji 