Naraka Chaturdashi: Celebrating the Victory of Good Over Evil

Celebrated on the second day of the Diwali festival, Naraka Chaturdashi, also known by various names like Chhoti Diwali or Kali Chaudas, commemorates the victory of good over evil through the Hindu mythological narrative of Narakasura and his ultimate downfall at the hands of a supreme deity of the Hindu pantheon.

Naraka Chaturdashi is also known as Chhoti Diwali.

Diwali, the festival of light, carries many meanings and symbols for the people of India. One story tied to its origins is the killing of the evil demon king, Narakasura by Krishna and his wife, Satyabhama. Naraka was born to Bhudevi or Bhumi, the Goddess representing the earth and his father might have either been Varaha, a form of Vishnu or Hiranyaksha, an asura. It is believed that Naraka once did a severe penance to win the favor of Lord Brahma and become more powerful. Impressed by his dedication, Brahma granted him the boon owing to which, Naraka became nearly invincible. It was guaranteed that nobody could kill him, except his own mother, Bhudevi. Over time, Narakasura began to abuse his power and that became a major concern for the Gods and Goddesses. His evil deeds included the capture of territories of the Vedic mother goddess Aditi, abduction and mistreatment of many women and so on. The Gods confronted Vishnu and asked him to bring an end to Naraka’s evil deeds. Lord Vishnu agreed to the petition and told the Gods that Naraka’s reign of terror would come to an end when Vishnu is incarnated on Earth. True to his words, Vishnu was incarnated as Krishna ages later. Krishna fought a long battle with the asura but at one point he was struck badly by Naraka and fell unconscious. In anguish, his wife, Satyabhama took up arms and flung her arrow straight into Naraka’s chest. Little did Naraka know that Satyabhama was believed to be an incarnation of Bhudevi, his mother and also the only one who could ever kill him as per Brahma’s boon.

Naraka fell to his death and this marked an end to the long age of misery brought about by the power-hungry demon. The Gods and Goddesses too sighed in relief as the darkness unleashed by the demon was replaced with light again. To celebrate this heroic victory of the God, representing good, over the demon i.e., evil, many people thus celebrate Naraka Chaturdashi during Diwali.

However, there is another myth around Narakasura popular in the North-eastern region of India. According to this, Naraka, was actually the founder of the Bhauma dynasty of Pragjyotishpura (in Assam) and also the progenitor of all the three dynasties that ruled ancient Assam.

In the Kalika Purana, a 10th century text composed either in Assam or Cooch Behar, it is written that Narakasura once sought to marry Ma Kamakhya, and was deceived by the Goddess in the end. In anger, he challenged her to a battle but Ma Kamakhya assumed the form of Kali. Seeing Goddess Kali, Naraka was scared and begged her to kill him as a devotee, not a demon. In northeast India, Naraka Chaturdashi is thus celebrated as Kali Chaudas to honor the glory of the fearsome mother goddess.

Irrespective of the differences, Naraka Chaturdashi celebrated the victory of good over evil and this is reflected in the rituals and practices associated with the day. Many people, for instance, take Abhyang Snan or holy bath early in the morning to rid their souls and minds of evil. People also apply kajal under their eyes to keep away nazar or evil eye. In regions like Maharashtra, the symbolic crushing of a bitter berry becomes a way to remember Narakasura’s death. Such practices keep the myths and legends alive and spread their knowledge to the younger generation.

In Northeast India, Naraka Chaturdashi is also celebrated as Kali Chaudas.