Blessings from Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetathipathi
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Deepavali is the day when Lord Krishna gave moksha to Narakasura and this day is also called Naraka Chaturdasi. Narakasura was born to Bhoomi Devi, the Mother Earth. Lord Maha Vishnu has two consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, Sri Devi is Goddess Mahalakshmi and Bhu Devi is Bhoomi Devi.
Man, is always good when he is born. But the vasanas (latencies) from his previous births and the circumstances of his present birth have the power to make him either good or bad. The word Naran is another name for Man. The best among men is known as Narendran. Naran (man) is transformed into Narendran by using his intellect and wisdom for good deeds. On the other hand, if he spends his life committing acts that are wrong and to be shunned by others, he is called Narakasura. One who causes hurt and sorrow to others and who is violent in nature is called Asura. His actions which caused panic and distress amongst the Devas and the kings of the earth earned Narakasura his name. He performed a long penance directed at Lord Brahma the creator of the worlds, and obtained a boon from him that he could not be killed except by his own parents! As he became a great menace to everybody, Lord Krishna along with his wife Sathyabama punished him with death. At the time of his death, Narakasura sought a boon from both Lord Krishna and Sathyabama that no son should follow the wrong ways like him and that as he attained moksha at the hands of Lord Krishna, this day should be considered as a holy day and be celebrated.
Ganga is the only river which can remove all the papas in this world. On this auspicious day of Deepavali may every body obtain the merit of having bathed in the Ganga. With the Grace of Lord Krishna, let the light from the lamp of Gnana remove the darkness of Agnana from every house- just as the light from a lamp dispels external darkness. Let all the bad forces be blown to pieces much like the fire crackers of Deepavali day. Let us celebrate this Deepavali day by realizing the benefit of Ganga Snana and contemplating the glory of Lord Krishna, wearing new clothes and enjoying sweets in the traditional manner of Deepavali!
Narayana Smruthi