Deepawali Photo Essay - Part 2 Deepavali Dyuta Krida The act of gambling is known in Hinduism since Vedic period. However, it was known as game of Dyuta and called Dyuta-Krida (द्यूत-क्रीडा). The board on which it is played is known as Chaupar and dice are known as Pasha (पाश). As per religious books, wearing new clothes after Abhyang Snan on the first day of Kartik month should be followed by Dyuta Krida and taking Mangal Aarti from female members of the family. Elephanta Caves Sculpture. Shiva cheats at the game of Dice and Parvati sulks affectionately. This attitude of Parvati is called Sanskutimana. The Legend: It is believed that the game of dice was invented by Lord Shiva who had then declared to Goddess Parvati, "O Devi! I have created the game of dice for passing time, for those who want to amass sudden wealth and to destroy the wealth of someone". As per Hindu religious books, it was the day of Kartik Pratipada when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati played the game of dice the very first time. Before they began to play, says one version of the myth, Parvati and Shiva were one, the androgyne, Ardhanarisvara. Narada, a sage, visited them and enticed them to play by telling them, “the game of dice has many forms—and the two of you are likely to find it more pleasing than making love”   Ardhanarishwara Parvati takes the dice and begins to play, after she separates herself from Shiva so that they become two different players. And so the fragmentation begins. Shiva, usually reluctantly at first, begins to play; then they become entirely absorbed in the game and both of them begin to cheat and play in tricky ways. At first Shiva beats Parvati, and she gets angrier and angrier.  This makes her more beautiful to Shiva, so he keeps playing. But then more is wagered and Shiva loses everything—all of his attributes to her.  Parvati demands what he has wagered but Shiva reneges.  Shiva & Parvati playing dice – Ellora cave 21 “Shiva merely smiled at this point and said something true: ‘I wasn’t really beaten by you, dearest; look at things from the right perspective.  No living being can ever overcome me.  You shouldn’t talk like this”.   Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati playing Chaupar A quarrel thus ensues because Shiva has reneged on his pledge and refused to pay, let alone even acknowledge that he lost. Shiva having lost all that he possesses and humiliated by his defeat, gets up and walks off to avoid further argument. He goes into the cedar forest leaving Parvati all alone.  The Wandering Ascetic Shiva Here Shiva wanders around and meets Vishnu who feels sorry for him and offers to help: “Play another game.  This time I promise you will win,” he tells Shiva.  And that is exactly what happens.  Shiva and Vishnu Shiva wins back all that he had lost in his earlier games, even his loincloth. Parvati, suspicious of Shiva’s sudden success, calls him a cheat.  Parvati Chides Shiva Shiva outraged by the accusation, demands an apology.  Words are exchanged, insults are hurled… To pacify them both, Vishnu appears on the scene and reveals to Parvati the secret of Shiva’s victories.  Vishnu tells Parvati the secret of Shiva's victory “My spirit entered the dice.  The dice moved not according to your play but my wish.  So neither has Shiva really won nor have you really lost.  The game was an illusion; your quarrel is thus, a product of delusion.”  On hearing Vishnu, Parvati and Shiva realize that life is like their game of dice—totally unpredictable and beyond control.  They say, “Let the gods bless all who play dice on this day and realize this cosmic truth.”   This day is celebrated as Diwali, the festival of lights. Many people believe erroneously that it is auspicious to gamble on Diwali night. Actually, none of the Hindu Scriptures mention gambling on the night of Diwali. However, most of them do suggest playing Dyuta on the day of Kartik Pratipada. Vishwakarma Puja The day after Diwali is also the day to worship Vishwakarma. Vishvakarma was the divine architect, and one of the fourteen precious treasures that appeared out of the Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean to gain Amrita, the nectar of immortality). Vishwakarma Lord Vishwakarma, Ghat Ki Guni, Jaipur Vishwakarmaconstructed the holy city of Dwarka where Lord Krishna ruled, The Maya Sabha of the Pandavas and was the creator of many fabulous weapons for the gods. This day is often used by manufacturers to pray for their equipment so that it works well and makes profit during the year ahead. Panchamukhi Vishwakarma Some Other Diwali Traditions On the orders of Bharata, the people of Ayodhya cleaned their houses and placed oil lamps (diyas) to light the path of the Pushpaka Vimana that brought Rama back from Lanka. Hindus clean their house before Diwali. They whitewash, renovate and decorate their houses with flowers and rangolis. It is thought that Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity arrives in a clean and inviting house. At night, traditional Diyas and candles are lit. Some believe that Lakshmi will be better able to find her way into well-lit homes. Women often set diyas afloat on a river, especially Ganga during Diwali. If the light makes it to the other side of the river, this is taken as a sign of good luck.  Driving out Alakshmi: Alakshmi is considered the goddess of bad luck, poverty, and misfortune, so she has to be driven out from the houses. This ritual is generally done by the oldest woman of the house. Lakshmi and Daridra(Alakshmi)