“The light that liberates does not destroy — it awakens.”

⚔️ The Dawn of Freedom

The second day of Diwali, known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and freedom over bondage.

It marks the victory of Lord Krishna and Goddess Satyabhama over the demon Narakasura, who had imprisoned countless beings and filled the worlds with fear.
On this sacred dawn, divine light broke through the veil of despair — restoring dharma, dignity, and joy to creation.

🌠 The Story of Narakasura

Once born of Bhudevi, the Earth Goddess, Narakasura was blessed yet blinded by power.
He conquered the heavens, stole celestial jewels, and enslaved divine beings.

When his tyranny reached its peak, Bhudevi herself prayed for redemption.
Answering her call, Krishna and Satyabhama — consciousness and shakti united — rode forth on Garuda.
As dawn broke on Kartika Krishna Chaturdashi, Krishna released his Sudarshana Chakra, freeing the universe from bondage.

Before dying, Narakasura asked that his death be celebrated, not mourned — that humanity remember freedom with joy.
Thus was born Naraka Chaturdashi, the morning of cleansing, light, and renewal.

💧 Rituals of the Day

1. Abhyanga Snana – The Sacred Bath

Before sunrise, devotees anoint themselves with sesame-infused oil, symbolizing purification and divine protection.
This ritual bath washes away fatigue, karma, and negativity — preparing body and spirit for the dawn of light.

2. Lighting the South Lamp

After bathing, a diya is placed facing south to honor Yama, the guardian of balance and truth.
This is not a prayer for avoidance of death, but an acknowledgment of the sacred cycle of life.

3. Cleansing and Celebration

Homes are adorned with marigolds, rangoli, and sandalwood fragrance.
Sweet offerings and laughter fill the air — gratitude for liberation reborn.

🌺 The Inner Meaning

The demon Narakasura lives within us — as greed, guilt, and forgetfulness of our light.
Krishna’s victory reminds us that awakening is not destruction, but remembrance.

When we take our sacred bath, we are not just cleansing the body —
we are releasing self-doubt, shame, and the weight of the past.

Lighting the lamp becomes a whisper to the soul:

“I am the light that no darkness can contain.”

Thus, Choti Diwali is the Festival of Liberation — preparing us for the full blossoming of light on Diwali night.

🔥 The Yogic Science

• Sesame oil balances the Vata dosha, calming nerves and grounding the mind.

• Fire emits ions that purify the air and uplift prana.

• South-facing direction activates the root chakra, releasing fear and stabilizing energy.

These timeless rituals are living technologies of the Vedic mind — tuning body, breath, and environment into harmony.

✨ Mantra for the Day

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
I bow to the divine within all — destroyer of ignorance, giver of freedom.

Chant as you light your lamp and offer gratitude for your own liberation.

🌞 Reflections for the Soul

• What inner darkness am I ready to release today?

• How can I bring light to someone else’s life?

• What would it mean to live as a liberated being — shining without condition?

🌕 Essence of the Day

Naraka Chaturdashi is not a tale of war — it is a reminder of awakening.
True power lies not in conquest but in surrender, remembrance, and love.

When you light your lamp this morning, know that you too are Krishna — piercing the ignorance of your own inner Narakasura.

💫 Liberation is not the end of struggle; it is the beginning of remembrance.

🔗 Join the Festival of Light Series

Continue your journey through the Five Days of Diwali with guided practices, meditations, and rituals from the Festival of Light Series by Prakash Chegu.
Light your Yama Deepa, cleanse your energy, and reclaim your divine luminosity.