According to Bhaagvat Purana, a king named Hiranyakashyap who, like many demons and Asuras, had the intense desire to be immortal. To fulfill this desire, he performed some hard Tapa or penances until he was granted a boon by Brahma.
Having received that boon, he became extremely egotistic and ordered everyone to worship him. However, his son Prehlad refused to do so. He said none other than God. which is Omnipresent - prevalent in the earth, waters, and the sky is worthy of worship.
This made Hiranyakashyap extremely angry, and he made various attempts to kill Prehlad. During a particular attempt on Prahlad's life, King Hiranyakashayap called upon his sister Holika for help. Holika had a special cloak - a garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire. Hiranyakashayap asked her to sit on a bonfire holding Prahlad on her lap. However, as the fire roared, the garment flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. Holika burnt to death, and Prahlad came out unharmed.
Like all other ancient Hindu stories - regardless of whether it is a true story or not, it has a deeper meaning.
Holika was a demon - with evil thoughts. But she was able to cover her evil intentions with the special cloak -the mask of goodness - that prevented her from the fire of people's anger. However, when she faced that fire of test along with Prehlad, her cover was blown away. Everyone saw her real face, without the mask, and the goodness of Prehlad became obvious. She lost, and Prehlad came out unharmed.
We often see these kinds of scenarios in our life as well. Many people pretend to be saints by hiding their real intentions behind the masks of sainthood. They think that they cannot be harmed by anyone - because they are wearing that cloak - the mask of goodness - which will save them from the fire of people's anger.
However, when the real saints like Prehlad appear on the scene, the falsehood is blown away - and the Truth prevails.
When we understand the hidden meanings and messages behind these stories, the celebration of these festivals makes more sense and beneficial to all.
' Rajan Sachdeva '
Having received that boon, he became extremely egotistic and ordered everyone to worship him. However, his son Prehlad refused to do so. He said none other than God. which is Omnipresent - prevalent in the earth, waters, and the sky is worthy of worship.
This made Hiranyakashyap extremely angry, and he made various attempts to kill Prehlad. During a particular attempt on Prahlad's life, King Hiranyakashayap called upon his sister Holika for help. Holika had a special cloak - a garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire. Hiranyakashayap asked her to sit on a bonfire holding Prahlad on her lap. However, as the fire roared, the garment flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. Holika burnt to death, and Prahlad came out unharmed.
Like all other ancient Hindu stories - regardless of whether it is a true story or not, it has a deeper meaning.
Holika was a demon - with evil thoughts. But she was able to cover her evil intentions with the special cloak -the mask of goodness - that prevented her from the fire of people's anger. However, when she faced that fire of test along with Prehlad, her cover was blown away. Everyone saw her real face, without the mask, and the goodness of Prehlad became obvious. She lost, and Prehlad came out unharmed.
We often see these kinds of scenarios in our life as well. Many people pretend to be saints by hiding their real intentions behind the masks of sainthood. They think that they cannot be harmed by anyone - because they are wearing that cloak - the mask of goodness - which will save them from the fire of people's anger.
However, when the real saints like Prehlad appear on the scene, the falsehood is blown away - and the Truth prevails.
When we understand the hidden meanings and messages behind these stories, the celebration of these festivals makes more sense and beneficial to all.
' Rajan Sachdeva '
Powerful
ReplyDeleteHolika Dahan is important as this is the time to burn all bad karmas by praying deeply at the bonfire.
ReplyDeleteRead more abbout holika dahan.