Significance of Diwali Crackers in Sanatana Dharama.

Diwali is around the corner. Indians are busy cleaning and decorating their homes. Savory snacks and sweet dishes are being prepared in homes. Kids are planning on what crackers they want for this DiwaliSanatana. 

Every year, during Diwali we see three types of people on social media, people who support a complete ban on crackers, people who are indifferent to crackers at all, and people who think their Sanatana dharma will become extinct if they won't burn crackers.

The concern for saving Sanatana dharma seems sweet to me. But what would be the Vedic way to do it?

The meaning of "Santana" is eternal. This means "always present", regardless of the parameter. As "tomorrow never dies", so is the ever-present Sanatana Dharma.

Each epoch (yuga) also has localized dharma. For example, various specific norms of the Ramayana period and modern times are different. They cannot be simply applied to each other. Even such specific dharmas are upheld by the Supreme. God.

To understand the meaning of Sanatana-dharma, we must take note of its Sanskrit definition. The word dharma derives its etymology from dhri, which means "to maintain" or "to maintain".Sanskrit verse  "dharayati iti dharmaha", means "dharma is that which upholds".

For happiness and peace, we must learn how to live according to the path of dharma. The practice of dharma should not come from coercion, but out of love due to the perception of the Supreme in all living beings. With this motivation, dharma prevents harm to others and treats each other with respect. Dharma also means righteous action. This includes compliance with social laws, as well as appropriate moral conduct and conduct. Promotes truthfulness in thoughts, words, and actions. The point of which is to reach the goal of dharma.

At the national, ethnic, or racial level, dharma is what binds all together and helps foster love and universal brotherhood. It is adharma that causes discord and disharmony or causes hatred. 

With this understanding, certain religions, or primarily the differences between their denominations and other denominations, exist on this planet and foster divisions between those who are "saved" and those who are destined for hell.certain religions, or primarily the differences between their denominations and other denominations,  

Any religion that does not teach that we are all spiritual beings, that we are all children of the same God, that we are all equal in God's sight, is Adharmic. 

They may be limited only in the depth of their knowledge and knowledge, but until they accept the principles of Dharma, dissent, anxiety, harsh attitudes and even hatred among people in the name of religion. This is because they lack true transcendental knowledge and deep spiritual insight. 

Such religions are devoid of dharma and cannot lead people to dharma or absolute truth. Therefore, until this is rectified, the lack of peace and harmony between different religions is a daily occurrence. The path of dharma is more than a religion or belief system. It is the means by which we directly perceive and live by a higher reality and spiritual unity among us all.

What can be done on Diwali for saving our Sanatana Dharma?

People do not save Dharma, but Dharma saves people if they follow it.  

So, here is what can be actually done on Diwali to properly follow snatana dharma:-

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Sri Rama, the incarnation of Krishna, to the kingdom of Ayodhya from 14 years of exile after defeating the evil king Ravana on this auspicious day. Rama was greeted by all the citizens who lit lamps and Dips to light up the sky for his joyful return. 

Also, after returning from exile, the first thing he did was worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. Since then, the tradition of worshiping Lakshmi and Ganesha on Diwali began. It has evolved into a religious practice of worshiping Lakshmi and Ganesha as 'Diwali Puja' on Diwali night.

It is also the day when Lord Krishna dispatched the demon Narakasura with the help of his wife SatybhamaSatyabhama... 

Lord Sri Krishna in his Damodar form liberated Nalakuvera and Manigriva during his Damodar-Leela pastime on this auspicious day itself. This Kartik month in which Diwali comes is Lord Damodar's favorite month. Not just on Diwali but on every day of the entire Kartik mass, we can reap immense spiritual benefits by offering lamps to Lord Damodar and singing Damodarsashtakam. 

Click here to read Damodarashtakam lyrics Shri Damodarastakam Lyrics (Sanskrit and English) Click here to read about the  Ukhal Bandhan Leela Sthali Significance 

Diwali means the victory of light over darkness and the victory of good over evil. The festival also symbolizes a time of spiritual rebirth, lighting lamps in our own hearts for spiritual enlightenment and welcoming the Lord into our lives. 

It's okay to let kids burn some crackers as a mark of celebration, but we as adults should not promote something that we know is not good for society(which includes our loved ones from even our own community) in the name of Dharma or spirituality. 

Burning tons of crackers and polluting the air too toxic levels just to show off to other religions can definitely satisfy our egos for a while, but my point is that spirituality and Dharma shouldn't be utilized as a front for this ego-nourishment and subtle-sense fulfillment.

The four auspicious months of Chaturmas give us huge options for spiritual advancement and one of these four months is Kartik month.  If someone is sincere about growing spiritually, they will make the most of all the blessed occasions our scriptures offer so they can receive spiritual blessings all year long. Click here to read  Chaturmas: The significance of four months!

Even though the celebration lasts for a single day, there may be much discussion about why crackers should be avoided in just one day. The thing is that when crackers are suddenly or infrequently released into the air while the air quality is already declining, the pollution content of the air dramatically increases, rendering it intolerable.

This Diwali burst your ego, not crackers. Happy Krishna Conscious Spiritual Diwali to all of you my dear Sanatanis.

Hare Krishna 🙏

Asht Sakhi Vrind Devi dasi.

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References:-

Dasa, M. (2013, July 20). Dharma? Sanatana Dharma? | Krishna.org. Krishna.org – Real Krishna Consciousness. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://krishna.org/dharma-sanatana-dharma/

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Diwali | ISKCON Reading. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://iskconreading.org/diwali/

Gayatri, P. (2021, January 10). Sanatana-Dharma: Its Real Meaning. ISKCON Seshadripuram Bengaluru - Sri Jagannath Mandir. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.iskconbangalore.co.in/sanatana-dharma-its-real-meaning/

How can one save Sanatana Dharma? (2018, May 19). Hinduism Stack Exchange. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/27566/how-can-one-save-sanatana-dharma

N, H. (2020, November 13). Narakasura Vadha - Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya. Swatantra Mag. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from http://swatantramag.com/narakasura-vadha-mahabharata-tatparya-nirnaya/

Narada Muni story: Curse on Nalakuvera and Manigriva and there deliverence. (n.d.). Bhagwatam Katha. http://www.bhagavatam-katha.com/narada-muni-story-curse-on-nalakuvera-and-manigriva-and-there-deliverence/

Narakasura Vadha – Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya. (n.d.). Swatantra. https://swatantramag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/narakasura-32f9594p9g04ube416897rg3nhu4dt1zhmeiwua7b2ymfn15s.jpg

Niraj, S. (2022, October 21). Diwali 2022: Ban on fireworks to green crackers, here are some restrictions across India. India Today. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/diwali-2022-ban-on-fireworks-delhi-mumbai-green-crackers-chandigarh-kolkata-air-pollution-india-2287999-2022-10-21

Saxena, A. (2022, October 18). Say No to Crackers Posters, Slogans, Drawing and more for Diwali. Nvshq.org. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://nvshq.org/article/say-no-to-crackers-posters-slogans/

Sri Rama Navami greetings for everyone! Jai Shri Ram. (n.d.). R/Hinduism. https://external-preview.redd.it/2oa3h5dv_JMV3XHNbyS6u6Rjt8oe1cNLvhHJwjqRQ78.jpg?auto=webp&s=9f332e132d4f9c6fcc656560f5a65a205005ab51

Sri Rama Navami greetings for everyone! Jai Shri Ram 🚩🚩. (2019, April 14). Reddit. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/bd05hk/sri_rama_navami_greetings_for_everyone_jai_shri/

Why Laxmi & Ganesh are Worshiped on Diwali, Not Lord Rama? (2022, August 13). HindUtsav. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.hindutsav.com/laxmi-ganesh-are-worshiped-diwali-not-lord-rama/