Diwali Folklore: Rama's Return, Lakshmi Legends, and Light Over Darkness

BY NICOLE LAU

The folklore of Diwali is a treasure trove of epic tales, divine interventions, and timeless wisdom. These stories are not mere mythology but living narratives that encode profound spiritual truths about the nature of good and evil, light and darkness, dharma and adharma.

The Ramayana: Lord Rama's Triumphant Return

The most widely celebrated Diwali story comes from the Ramayana. Prince Rama of Ayodhya was exiled to the forest for 14 years. During exile, his wife Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the ten-headed demon king. Rama, aided by Hanuman and an army of monkey warriors, defeated Ravana and rescued Sita. After 14 years, Rama returned to Ayodhya on the new moon night of Kartik. The citizens lit thousands of oil lamps to illuminate the dark night and guide them home.

This story operates on multiple levels: literally as a heroic tale, morally as dharma triumphing over adharma, spiritually as the divine Self defeating the ego, and cosmically as the eternal battle between light and darkness.

Goddess Lakshmi: The Emergence of Prosperity

The second major narrative centers on Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. According to the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Cosmic Ocean), gods and demons churned the ocean to obtain amrita. Among the treasures that emerged was Goddess Lakshmi, seated on a lotus, radiating beauty with gold coins flowing from her palms.

Krishna and Narakasura: Victory Over Darkness

Important in South Indian celebrations, this story tells of Narakasura, a demon king who kidnapped 16,000 princesses. Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura, freed the captives, and restored light to the world.

The Goddess Kali: Fierce Light in Darkness

In Bengal, Diwali is celebrated as Kali Puja, honoring the fierce goddess who destroys evil and ignorance.

Lord Mahavira's Nirvana: Jain Diwali

For Jains, Diwali marks Lord Mahavira's attainment of nirvana in 527 BCE, when 18 kings lit lamps to symbolize the light of his knowledge.

Bandi Chhor Divas: Sikh Diwali

Sikhs celebrate the liberation of Guru Hargobind Ji in 1619, when he freed 52 princes along with himself.

Conclusion

Diwali folklore is spiritual technology. When we light diyas, we participate in the eternal story of light triumphing over darkness.

You are Rama returning home. You are Lakshmi emerging with gifts. You are the light that dispels darkness.