Kalichaudas

Kali means dark and Chaudas means 14th i.e. The Dark Fourteenth. This day is also referred to as Narakchaturdashi and Roopchaturdashi.

History of Narakchaturdashi

Hiranyaksha, an asura, dived into the ocean. To rescue earth, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a wild boar, Varaaha, and went after the asura. Varaaha overpowered Hiranyaksha in the duel that he fought under the water, and restored earth to its original position in the universe. Bhoodevi married Lord Varaha, and through them they had a son called Narkasur

Narkasur established his kingdom in Pragjyotish . He became too powerful. Drunk with power, as he considered himself to be unrivaled in prowess, he brought all the kingdoms on earth under his control. Next, he turned his eyes towards Swargaloka. Even the mighty Indra could not withstand the assault of this son of Vishnu, and had to flee the heavens. Narakasura had become the overlord of both the heavens and earth. Addicted to power, he stole the earrings of Aditi, the heavenly mother goddess and also the mother of Lord Vamana, and usurped some of her territories. All the devas, led by Indra, went to Vishnu to ask him to deliver them from Narakasura. Vishnu promised them that he would attend to this matter, when he would be incarnated as Krishna. Narkasur in his kingdom also kept 16000 womens prisoners, they were the wifes of the kings he defeated.

Sathyabhama, one of Krishna’s wives, (She was Bhoodevi Herself & Lord Krishna was Lord Varaha ) was upset when she heard about the misdeeds of Naraka. She urged her husband to act. Armed with his Sudarshana chakra and other weapons, Krishna left for Pragjoyitisha-pura. Sathyabhama went with him. Both of them rode on Garuda, the celestial eagle, which served as a vehicle for Krishna.

To strike at Naraka’s capital, Krishna had to penetrate four layers of its defenses. He flew over the outermost ring of walls made of rocks, he crossed the rings of fire and of spears. Whoever tried to stop him was struck down. The chief defender of Naraka’s fort was Mura. Confident that none could penetrate the rings of defenses he had set up, Mura was relaxing deep down in the ring of water. A s each layer of defense crumbled under Krishna’s attack, it caused violent ripples in the water, arousing Mura out of his slumber. Then he heard an ear shattering sound — it was Krishna blowing his conch, Panchajanya.

Enraged, Mura rushed out to stage a counter attack. He fell fighting Krishna, who earned the name, Muraari, the enemy of Mura.

Ultimately Narakasur himself came out of his palace to battle Krishna. The two fought day and night. It was hard to say who was more powerful. Naraka was saving the weapon given to him by his father, Lord Varaaha, precisely for such an occasion. On the dark night of Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the fortnight of new moon, Naraka took out the deadly tusk of Lord Varaaha and threw it at Krishna. Struck in the chest Krishna fell unconscious. Even as Naraka raised a cry of victory, Sathyabhama picked up the bow and continued the fight. In Satyabhama, Naraka found a worthy foe. He had no clue as to how to stop her onslaught.

As the duel between the two raged on, Krishna opened his eyes. Naraka was startled to see Krishna stand up. If the dreaded weapon of Lord Varaaha had failed, it meant only one thing — his opponent was none other than Lord Varaaha himself, his father. Naraka was dazed. Lord Varaaha’s warning words now rang in his ears: “Use your powers to do only good, son. Uphold dharma.”

He had failed to follow his father’s advice. He meekly submitted, as Krishna threw his Sudarshana chakra at him. As his life was webbing away, Naraka joined his hands in salutation to Krishna and Sathyabhama. Moved at the sight of the fallen asura, Sathyabhama rushed to him.

Krishna silently watched the reunion of mother and son. Sathyabhama was none other than Bhoodevi, born again! Narakasur saw the light in his dying moments. The darkness was lifted as the dawn broke. That day is celebrated as Narak Chaturdashi the death of Narkasur and Lord Krishna married 16000 women prisoned by Narkasur.

Lord Krishna Blessed Narkasur whoever wakes up before sunrise and does my pooja will never suffer the pain of Narak.(Hell) Therefore it is advised to wake up and bath before the sun rises on this day.

On this day Devotees offer their humble prayers and worship unto the Son of Wind-God (Pavan-putra) Hanuman, who protects from evil spirits and the like.

In the 85th verse (slokh) of the Shikshapatri, Lord Shree Swaminarayan instructs His devotees to chant prayers of Hanuman or Narayan Kavach in times of distress from spirits and ghosts.

Furthermore in the 127th verse He instructs the Spiritual heads of the sect (Acharyas) to perform worship of Hanuman on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Aaso.

In Shreemad Satsangi Jeevan, Dharmadev’s father, Bal Shrama advises him to remember Hanuman in the time of distress as he is also the cherished deity (Kuldev) of the clan, hence the Archaryas are instructed to offer worship. Devotees of the Udhava/Swaminarayan Sect also perform worship and offer their respects and prayers to the mighty Hanuman, who bestows great blessings upon his worshippers. Lord Shree Krushna anhilated the evil King Narkaasur of Pragjyotishpur and rescued the 16100 women held captive by him as well as various valuable object of the demigods.

In the 2nd Vachanamrut of Jetalpur , Lord Swaminarayan mentions him as a Yati (A person who firmly follows the vow of celibacy and one who has conquered all of his sense organs). Furthermore, in the 16th Vachanamrut of Gadhda Antya Prakran , He commends Hanuman for his devotion and vow of fidelity unto Lord Ramachandra. In the 16th Prakran of Bhakta Chintamani , Dharmadev mentions Hanuman being blessed by Lord Raghuvir (Ramachandra) as being Chiranjeevi - (Immortal – until the end of Kaliyug and the start of the next Satyug). Therefore he has also served Lord Krushna in the Dwapar Era and Lord Swaminarayan in Kaliyug Era.

Hanuman is venerated with oil, flowers, sandalwood and sindoor. Coconuts and food items made with sesame seeds, rice with ghee and sugar are also offered as part of the veneration. In the 39th Vachanamrut of Gadhda Antya Prakran Lord Swaminarayan mentions that great great devotees, such as Hanuman, Narad and Prahalad, have also asked Lord for protection against Maya formed by the I-ness and my-ness and to develop love and affection for the Lord as well as constant company of devotees who have achieved such status developing love and affection for such. We ask for his benediction to attain the devotion and firm fidelity towards our Ishtdev Lord Shree Swaminarayan.

Mantra

Aum Namo Hanumate Bhaybhanjanaya Sukham Kuru Phat Swaha

Aarti

Jay Kapi-Balavanta Jay Kapi-Balavanta, Sur Nar Muni-Jan Vandit, Padraj Hanumanta ..1

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