Holi: Beyond Colors, Embracing Spirituality

Hindus have ruined their festivals. Holi has just become a cultural festival rather than a spiritual one. Many celebrate festivals like Holi for their bodily comforts and the enjoyment of the senses. However, the true purpose of these festivals is to elevate the human spirit beyond mere material indulgence. Indian festivals are not just for bodily happiness; they serve as reminders that you've spent your whole year in vain, on the path of lies, and now it's time to uplift yourself. I previously wrote a blog on Diwali on a similar issue.

 

Let's delve into the story behind Holi. Long ago, there lived a demon king named Hiranyakashipu. Now, whether you believe in demons is your choice, but in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna discusses the qualities of demonic nature. You can refer to chapter 16. Those who are tamasic in nature, who harm society, and so on, are considered demoniac. Hiranyakashipu declared himself as God and proclaimed that no God such as Vishnu existed. His son, Prahlad, however, was a devoted follower of God, even at the tender age of five. Many people dismiss spirituality as something for old age, but that's not the case. It's during our youth when our faculties are at their sharpest, making it the perfect time to embark on a spiritual journey.During old age your eyesight will be weak so how will you read scriptures, you will get tired early and you will not be able to do many things.

 

Despite his father's orders, Prahlad continued to worship Vishnu. This defiance enraged Hiranyakashipu, who tried numerous ways to punish his son, but all were unsuccessful. Finally, he turned to his sister, Holika, who possessed immunity to fire due to another boon she had received. Prahlad was offered many material possessions, but he rejected them, seeking only divine bliss. Despite his father's attempts to kill him, Prahlad remained steadfast in his devotion, constantly chanting the name of God, which ultimately saved him. I've discussed the power of chanting in this blog.

 

 

 

 

 

Holika devised a plan to eliminate Prahlad. She tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her while she wore a cloak that protected her from the flames. However, as the fire was lit, divine intervention occurred. Lord Vishnu, impressed by Prahlad's unwavering devotion, intervened to protect him. As the flames rose, the cloak flew off Holika and enveloped Prahlad instead, saving him from harm. Holika, on the other hand, perished in the fire due to her malicious intentions. Holika received a boon from Brahma, but it failed in front of a pure devotee of God. This is the power of Truth. This is the power of chanting the name of God.

 

This story inspires us to follow the path of God and truth. If society engages in wrongdoing, we must stand against it. Remaining neutral in every situation and being prepared to sacrifice our lives for truth, as Maharaja Prahlad did, is crucial. He chose death over accepting his father’s erroneous beliefs. Often, our greatest obstacles on the path of devotion (Bhakti) come from within our own families, as seen in the cases of Meera Bai and Prahlad. However, we must find the courage to walk the path of God and truth. But where do we find this courage? By chanting the name of God. Sadly, many of us who identify as Hindus do not follow our teachings, including the practice of chanting.

But I don’t see Holi being celebrated correctly. Most people forget the real essence of Holi and simply focus on outward celebrations. Some indulge in drinking alcohol and eating meat on this day. These individuals may call themselves "Sanatanis," but they do not truly follow the principles of Sanatana Dharma. They have not studied their scriptures and instead blindly adhere to certain rituals, which is superstitious. The Upanishads clearly oppose superstitions. Taking another life, as in the case of consuming meat, is not only morally wrong but also goes against the teachings of the scriptures. Unfortunately, the majority of so-called Sanatanis engage in meat consumption, yet they do not truly embody the principles of Sanatana Dharma.

In the fire, why don’t you burn your bad habits? Why don’t you burn your ego? Merely burning wood will not suffice; you must be willing to let go of everything that holds you back and embrace love for God. While playing with colors on Holi is not inherently wrong, it should not be the sole focus. It's just a part of the celebration. On Holi, the aim should be to spread happiness, so why harbor hatred towards others?

There is also a troubling trend of throwing muddy water and eggs at each other during Holi celebrations. This behavior goes against the true spirit of the festival.

 

In conclusion, the true essence of celebrating Holi lies in aligning our actions with the principles of spirituality and love. On this auspicious day, let us prioritize chanting the name of God, delving into sacred scriptures, and making a sincere commitment to spread love and joy instead of hate. By focusing our minds towards God and pledging to walk on the path of righteousness, we can truly honor the spirit of Holi. While playing with colors can be enjoyable, let us not forget the deeper significance behind the festivities. Just as Prahlad conquered Hiranyakashipu, let us conquer our own egos (Ahamkara) with the grace of Lord Narasimha, attained through the power of chanting the name of God. May this Holi be a time of spiritual renewal and inner transformation for all.