Thread by @anbezhil12

#MahaPeriyava #Deepavali #BhagawadGita
“Bhooma Devi did not think whether Ganga Matha was associated with Shiva or Vishnu. Among all the holy rivers, is it not the Ganges, which is given the prime place by all the people, without a distinction between being Saiva or Vaishnava?

Therefore, she obtained the boon that the bath taken on Deepavali day should get the fruits of a bath in Ganges. Generally, if you see the history of any holy shrine, it would be mentioned that it is equal to Kasi or it is greater than Kasi. From the very fact that one shrine is

not compared with any other but only with Kasi, it can be inferred that Kasi is the king of all shrines. Similarly, in all the mythological stories about holy rivers, without mentioning that it is superior to another, a river would be eulogised as “it is as pure as Ganges” or

“it is more special than the Ganges”. Therefore, it gets proved that Ganges is the most superior among all holy rivers. Our Acharya himself mentions in the Bhaja Govindam,
Bhagwat Gita Kinchit Atheetha
Ganga Jalalava Ganika Peetha
Sakruthapi Yena Murari Samarcha
Kriyathe Thasya

Yamena Charcha

It means that any person who has gone through, at least a little of Gita, drinks at least a little of Ganga water and does archana at least once to Murari, he does not have any business with Yama, meaning that he does not have go to Yamaloka or hell but will go

directly to Punyaloka. Like how Appar Swamy has said, “Namanai Anjom” (will not be scared of Yama) and as said by Nammazhvar, “Naliyum Naragum Naindha, Namanukkingu yadhondrumillai”, Bhagawath Padal says, Yama does not have jurisdiction over a person who has taken Ganga water.

There is a wonderful feature in this verse. It is the fact that all the four, the #Gita #Ganges #Murari and #Yama mentioned in this verse, have a connection to Deepavali.
I often mention that #Gita is #brother of #Deepavali. Why? What significance I have ascribed to Deepavali?

Did I not say that this festival is considered as the king of all festivals, because, it has been given in totally unexpected circumstances, that is, in the middle of great sorrow on account of loss of her son, a mother has made out a very delightful festival? In the same way.

we observe that, right from the religious heads of the ancient times, to Gandhi and Tilak and the saints of the current period, philosophers and politicians, hail Gita as the ultimate, not withstanding that there are ever so many religious books and philosophical scriptures.

Just like Deepavali, Gita also, was born from the power of sacrifice, in very unexpected circumstances. Generally, teaching of philosophy would take place in a peaceful ashram, where an old Guru would teach to a younger student. On the other hand, in direct contrast, this Gita

was a teaching born in a war ravaged battle field. It was a teaching obtained by Arjuna, from a contemporary, Krishna, when he was in the status of a master and Krishna, was his charioteer. Gita was born in a situation of utmost sacrificial devotion, when Arjuna considered that

it was more important to know the truth than his own life, in circumstances when his life would have ended the very next moment and when Arjuna prostrated before the Bhagawan and said “Sishyasdheham sadhi mam prabhannam’ – I have surrendered unto you as a disciple. Give me the

advice in the form of your order”. This is why, similar to Deepavali being the best among all festivals, Gita is the best among books. Both Deepavali and Gita have been given only by Krishna.
Secondly, we have so far seen the connection mentioned by Acharya between Ganga Matha

and Deepavali. Thirdly, he says that archana should be done to Murari. While there are so many names to the Bhagawan, he mentions only “Murari samarcha”. We have seen, a little before that Bhagawan became Murari because he killed Muran, the associate of Narakasura.
Lastly,

Acharya mentions about Yama. Immediately on mentioning Narakan, the thoughts of hell and its king, Yamadharma, come to our minds. This apart, it is said that on the day of Deepavali, Tharpana should be done for Yama. In North India, people even make one “Yama Deepa” on the

previous day to Deepavali.
Why Ganga Snanam?
It looks like Bhagawath Padal had scripted this verse, thinking about Deepavali. Let that be. I was about to answer the question why this name “Ganga Snanam” has been given for the bath taken on Deepavali day.
Bhooma Devi desired

that the day her son was lost, should be observed as a festival for all times to come without any break. Because it is a festival, she also ensured inclusion of holy bath, wearing of new clothes, eating sweets etc. To ensure that there is something new and innovative so that

her son is remembered, she obtained the boon, that the oil bath should be taken before sun rise. Notwithstanding the acceptance of Bhagawan, she wanted to do something to remove the apprehension of those people who may be wary of doing this which was in contradiction to accepted

principles. So she thought that if it is made that Lakshmi will reside in the oil that we apply and Ganga Matha reside in the hot water that we take bath, nobody will get scared and no one will think that they do not need Lakshmi or Ganga. Therefore, she thought that, along with

the joy of the festival, all the people will also get Punya. That is why, this bath got the name of Ganga Snana. In addition, she also obtained for all of us, the boon that the persons who take this Ganga snanam should not get any fear of hell and also sudden or accidental

(untimely and horrible) death and diseases. Was she not a mother to not only Naraka but also to all of us? Is she not referred to in English language, as “Mother Earth”! It is said that Cow, Earth and Vedas are mother for all.
Anyway, since she had given birth to Naraka herself

and had loved him much, she obtained the boon that this day should be named as “Naraka Chathurdasi”. Despite that, while only in the almanac (Panchangam), it is referred to as such, we all call it “Deepavali”. “Deepavali”, means, keeping lamps in a line. Only in North India,

it is celebrated really as a Deepavali by lighting the lamps this way. We have taken this to Karthigai Deepotsavam.”
English translation from Deivathin Kural Vol 7
Sarvam Sri Krishnarpanam🙏🏻