Holi, Mahā Lakṣmī Jayantī & Gaura Pūrṇimā
Artwork: Pinterest
This full moon marks the occasion of several auspicious Vedic festivals—Holi, Mahā Lakṣmī Jayantī, and Gaura Pūrṇimā—each marking a unique spiritual significance.
Holi, the Festival of Colors, occurs on the Pūrṇimā (पूर्णिमा) day of the month of Phālguṇa. It is deeply intertwined with the theme of the eternal and divine love between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa (the 8th avatāra of Lord Viṣṇu), symbolized by the playful act of adorning each other's faces with vibrant colors.
This festival not only marks the arrival of Spring but also signifies the triumph of dharma over adharma—good over evil—and the ascendancy of sattva (the creative, harmonious force) over tamas (ignorance and destruction).
The night before Holi, known as Holikā Dahan, commemorates the legend of Prahlāda and his aunt, Holikā. Enraged by the young devotee’s unwavering faith in Viṣṇu, his father, the tyrant Hiraṇyakaśipu, conspired to destroy him. Holikā, who possessed a boon rendering her immune to fire, attempted to burn Prahlāda by carrying him into the flames. Yet, her protection failed, and she perished, while Prahlāda emerged unscathed, shielded by his devotion.
This night stands as a powerful testament to the supremacy of bhakti (devotion) and the inevitable downfall of arrogance and tyranny, setting the stage for Holi’s jubilant celebration of love, renewal, and divine play.
More than just its mythological roots, Holi stands as a celebration of love, unity, and renewal. It is a time for relationships to be reaffirmed, for healing fractured bonds, and for fostering harmony within communities. Holi's spirit of shared joy bridges social divides, creating a vivid tapestry of collective togetherness that celebrates humanity’s interconnectedness.
Artwork: Pinterest
Mahā Lakṣmī Jayantī honors the divine manifestation of Goddess Lakṣmī during the Samudra Manthan, a pivotal episode in Hindu mythology. The churning of the Ocean of Milk by the Devas and Asuras to obtain Amṛta (the nectar of immortality) signifies a profound spiritual endeavor, revealing treasures and divine beings, including Goddess Lakṣmī.
When Mahā Lakṣmī emerged from the ocean, she immediately took residence in Lord Viṣṇu’s (The Preserver, Protector of the Universe) heart. Her appearance bestows eightfold blessings, embodying abundance, grace, and devotion, guiding devotees toward both prosperity and spiritual well-being.
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय | ॐ श्रीं महा लक्ष्म्यै नमः
Artwork: Anonymous
Gaura Pūrṇimā commemorates the birth of Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu, a pivotal figure in the spiritual traditions of India. Born during a Lunar Eclipse in West Bengal, Mahāprabhu is considered a combined incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa and His beloved devotee, Śrīmati Rādhārāṇī. His divine purpose was twofold: to experience the profound love that Śrīmati Rādhārāṇī holds for Him and to show the path of complete surrender and love for Kṛṣṇa during our eath walk.
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण, कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
हरे राम हरे राम, राम राम हरे हरे
“Mind becomes absorbed in the mantra, and then the mantra becomes absorbed in the mind.” — Ramana Maharshi