The world of Tzu Chi May 2021 (Vol.134)

In northern India, Deepavali is linked to the Ramayana epic. It commemorates the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Rama (centre), who was exiled for 14 years. With the help of Hanuman (bottom left), the Monkey God, he defeated Ravana, the ten-headed demon king, and rescued his wife, Sita (right) who had been abducted by Ravana. He then returned with his younger brother, Lakshmana (left), from Lanka (present day Sri Lanka) in the south to Ayodhya in the north to be crowned as the king. Legend has it that when he arrived at sunset, the people of Ayodhya lit up the lamps to welcome their hero. This was symbolic of the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil. Hence, the Festival of Lights took shape. For this reason, Deepavali is celebrated a day earlier in southern India, while in northern India, it begins on the last day of the month of Vikram. On the second day, which is New Year for the north, a ritual known as Govardhan Puja or Annakut, which signifies abundance, is performed. (1) Rama defeated the ten-headed Ravana (2) Lord Krishna taught Indra a lesson Legends about Deepavali Lord Krishna convinced the farmers in a village that they should work diligently in the fields as a way of practising the Dharma and eliminating unwholesome karma, instead of praying andmaking offering to Indra, the God of Thunder and Lightning. This angered Indra, who then punished the villagers with terrible rains and storms. After the villagers ran to Lord Krishna for help, he lifted the Govadhan Mountain, shielding the villagers and their livestock from the thunderstorm, like holding a huge umbrella. A humbled Indra then repented. This is another example of good triumphing over evil, where the villagers were to adhere to their duties and practise the Dharma. over Story 2021 • 05 18