।। OM Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya ।।
Symbolism behind Holikā Dahana
Agnideva is known as 'pāvaka' - that which purifies (by destroying impurities). Bhakta Prahlāda had no impurities and so was left unharmed. Prahlāda represents pure unconditional devotion and unflinching faith. Agni also represents Jñāna. Jñāna and bhakti both go hand in hand. They destroy ajñāna and aśuddhi. Let this Holī we pray to Īśvara to remove ajñāna (and ahamkāra) and aśuddhi and be firmly established in Satyaṃ which is eternal. Satya is also known as Brahman, Īshvara, Bhagavāna, Paramātmā, Ātmā or Jñāna. We can be with Īshvara by chanting his name i.e. his mantra or by prāņavopāsanā (OM chanting) or by Neti-Neti (path of negation) or by prāṇarodhana (breath control). Karma in the name of Īśvara also helps purify and steady mind. It makes one qualified to meditate.
Incidence of Holikādahana also stands for immortality. After being purified by agni (Jñānāgni), what is left is pure consciousness or Brahma-tatva which is eternal. This is our natural state – sat-chit-ānanda.
Celebration on the next day is the celebration of immortality of Ātamjñāna and Aatmajñānī i.e. ātmasthiti.
Incidence of Holikādahana also stands for immortality. After being purified by agni (Jñānāgni), what is left is pure consciousness or Brahma-tatva which is eternal. This is our natural state – sat-chit-ānanda.
Celebration on the next day is the celebration of immortality of Ātamjñāna and Aatmajñānī i.e. ātmasthiti.
Holī kī hardika Śubhakāmnāye
।। OM Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya ।।
Note: Prahlāda Charitra can be found in skandha 7 of Srimad Bhāgavat
Purāṇa. We must also not forget Druva Charitra found in Skandha 4
No comments:
Post a Comment