In a dramatisation of the victory of good over evil, we have the legend of Holika, who at the behest of her brother entered the burning fire with her nephew Prahalad in her lap in a bid to destroy the child. The Lord saved his devotee Prahalad from the demonic flames of Holika which burned to death the demon herself. Thus establishing the supremacy of life-giving divine powers over the destructive powers of evil. To celebrate this, a great bonfire is lit in every home or locality. This bonfire also heralds the end of the paralysing cold weather of the winters and the welcoming of the season of life-giving warmth and plenty in the fields. The surrendering into the fire of all old worn out things, old discarded furniture, broken doors etc. is a ritual of decluttering the mind of all old grudges, sorrows and negativities. One awakens to a new year of love and togetherness and letting bygones be bygones. In sheer joy and abandon one lets the fire eat away all dead habits, suffocating negative thoughts and clinging attachments that enslave us. Unless one lets go off mental clutches one can never create mind spaces that can breathe in the fresh air of positivity.
The next day sees a burst of colours of myriad hues, song, dance, festivities and gay abandon. In a spirit of wild revelry, beautiful bright colours are splashed on one and all. In love and joy one embraces the other. Perfume and flowers, sandalwood paste and coloured water are lavished on friends and foes alike. In India it was always a friendly festival for people of all faiths. Many Sufi kalams (poetry of Sufi saints) are soaked in the love of Holi, using it as a motif of love play with the Lord. In this happy mood, one breaks free of all that binds the human mind. It is a celebration of freedom from the inhibiting boundaries of conditional thought and regimentation. The night of Holi sees the rise of a tranquil full moon that soothes the mind that is cleansed of all prejudices and enmities and allows equilibrium to return to society after a cathartic wild exuberance.
Prarthana Saran, President, Chinmaya Mission Delhi