Night of the Demon

The Hindu festival of Diwali (Deepavali) has multiple interpretations, all having their basis in the triumph of Virtue over Vice.

The festival marks the return of Lord Rama, His wife Sita, and brother Lakshman from their 14 years in exile. The period is also closely linked to Goddess Lakshmi, the repository of Wealth (in the broadest sense).

The defining event, however, is the beheading of Narakasura by Krishna.

In Narakasura were embodied the vices of darkness (tamas), ignorance (avidya), ego (ahamkara), and base proclivities (adharma). He had his comeuppance at the hands of Krishna who, after a fierce battle, summoned his sudarshan-chakra (discus) to behead Narakasura.

The Diwali celebrations are a renewal of the memory of Krishna‘s triumphal moment and the restoration of Light (i.e. Dharma).

In Goa is prevalent the quaint practice – unique in India – of the reenactment of the Narakasura episode. On the eve of Diwali, huge effigies of the demon are mounted in villages and towns. After a night of boisterous revelry, they are consigned to flames at dawn.