Soft Times Editorial: 6th March 2009

Holi-day!!!

Legend has it that was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyapu who won over the kingdom of the Earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana and refused to worship his father.

Hiranyakashyapu tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For, Hiranyakashyapu knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed.

Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone. Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Naarayana all this while, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion.

Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika and it is celebrated as victory of good over evil. It is celebrated by lighting a bonfire to symbolize the burning of evil (Dhulivandan). The next day is celebrated as Rangpanchami, the festival of colors. It is said that even mortal enemies among Indian royalty put aside their differences and partook in the raucous celebration of chrome.

It is interesting to note that the festival of Holi is significant for its seasonal timing
Medical Practitioners believe that colors when sprayed on the body have a great impact. Biologists believe the liquid dye penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it.

There is a scientific reason ascribed to the lighting of the bonfire, which is known as Dhulivandan. The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When the bonfire of Holika is lit, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit and purges the harmful biological organisms that thrive in the transient phase of seasons.

SoftTimes wishes its readers a very happy and colorful Holi. May your life be adorned by happiness, satisfaction and the miscellaneous colors of life!