"I wish you a very, very happy Diwali"
HH Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi’s Quotes from Diwali Puja Lake Piru, California 3rd Nov 2002
*Five Auspicious Days of Diwali*
During Diwali, the Festival of Light, we celebrate the enlightenment of human beings through Kundalini awakening and Self-Realisation, and the joy of God’s love. There are 5 days during which we worship the various aspects of the Goddess:
Day 1 – Dhanteras
The first day is the Shri Gruha Lakshmi day, the actual birthday of Shri Lakshmi, so on this is the day it is considered auspicious to offer a household item as a present to the housewife who is the Gruha Lakshmi of the household. The first day is also the birthday of Shri Dhanvantari, the Divine Healer (aspect of Shri Vishnu),
who, like Shri Lakshmi Herself, arose from the churning of the ocean.
The photo of Shri Mataji in this aspect is said to cure all ills.
“Because Vishnu is the one who is, the one who cures. We call Him a Dhanvantari – means a doctor. He is the one who cures because He is our preserver; He is the preserver of human beings.
So if He preserve your dharma, then you don’t get sick. And if you get sick, it is Vishnu who will preserve, who will cure you. So He is the one who is, we can call, Dhanvantari – is a doctor.” Shri Mataji, Shri Vishnu puja, Paris, 13 July 1994.
Incidentally, according to William Blake, this aspect manifests in the UK in the City of Bath:
“Bath, mild Physician of Eternity, mysterious power -Whose springs are unsearchable & knowledge infinite.” (‘Jerusalem’, Plate 46, lines 2-3)
Day 2 – Naraka Chaturdashi
The day when, according to Shri Mataji, the Goddess gave Her power to Shri Kartikeya to kill Narakasura (see Diwali puja 1989). UK & Eire are particularly affected by this negative aspect, that attacks the heart and creates conflict, division and disharmony.
Hell’s gate is open in the early hours of morning (the real Halloween)
when Narakasura is pushed into Hell, so it’s advisable to sleep relatively late (ie: not to meditate at 4am or get up early to eat Diwali sweets!),
get up after sunrise and also leave a lamp burning safely overnight from evening. Shri Mataji also advised us that this was the only time that Sahaja Yogis should fast, saying that we should not eat before about midday/12.30pm until Narakasura’s influence has dispersed.
Day 3 – Diwali/Shri Lakshmi Puja
DIWALI DAY
Today we perform puja to Shri Lakshmi/Shri Mahalakshmi and invite the Goddess into our homes with lights. This is the auspicious day of Diwali, the Diwali Amavasya, the darkest night of the year – symbolising the victory of Light over darkness.
“This is the day of Mahalakshmi Puja, not only of Lakshmi Puja” Shri Mataji, Diwali puja, 9 Nov 1980.
Today is the actual Christmas Eve, as at midnight on this the darkest night, Shri Jesus Christ was born as Shri Mahavishnu (Mahaganesha) to Shri Mary who was Shri Mahalakshmi.
Day 4 – Diwali Padwa
This day is one of the 3-and-a-half most auspicious days of the year. Today is the true birthday of Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnation of Shri Ganesha, the actual Christmas Day.
Shri Rama was crowned on this day after defeating Ravana. It’s New Year’s day in the Hindu Vikram calendar, (but note that the Shalivahana New Year for Sahaja Yogis is Gudi Padwa – around late March/April). A very auspicious day to begin new things.
*Day 5 – Bhaiduj
Celebration of the brother and sister relationship.