DEEPAVALI DISCUSSION FROM ANOTHER GROUP Authentic solution to the disputes that arise every year on the names of Diwali-
Deepawali-Discussion Part 1 (Discussion on Tatsam Words) Every year on the occasion of Deepawali, there is a controversy over the name of this festival. Some people support “Diwali” while some say that “Diwali” is correct. Some purists prefer “Deepawali” or “Deepotsav”. It is normal to have diversity in taste but the problem arises when the supporters of one name say that the other name is incorrect. Not only do big Hindi writers and journalists jump into this controversy, but some anti-Hindi people also start opposing “Diwali”. In this article, I will present my opinion in this controversy on the basis of various classical and literary evidences of Sanskrit, Prakrit and Hindi. First of all, let us understand the etymology of the word “Deepavali”. Actually, it is formed by the combination of two words – Deep + Aavali. In Sanskrit, the root “deep” is found in the meaning of “to shine”. The word “Deep” is formed by adding suffixes (Nich, Ach) to this root. That which lights or illuminate is called Deep. By adding prefix (Pra) and suffix (Kan) to this word “Deep”, the words “Pradeep” and “Deepak” are formed respectively. The meaning of these three words is the same, although “Deepak” is also used in some other meanings. Now let us understand the meaning of the word “Aavli”. In Sanskrit it means row. In fact, according to the dictionaries, “Vithi”, “Aali”, “Aavli”, “Pankti”, “Shreni”, “Lekha”, “Rekha” and “Raji” – all these words are synonyms (Amarkosh 2.4.4). By adding the suffix “अगीष” to the same “आवाली” the synonymous word “आवाली” is formed, which is now more popular in languages like Hindi etc. The combination of “Deep” and “Aawali” / “Aavali” forms “Deepawali” and “Deepawali” respectively. The meaning of both these synonyms is “row of lamps”. Therefore, the dispute between “Deepawali” and “Deepawali” is just a waste of time. It is true that “Deepawali” has become more popular in Hindi and regional languages, but “Deepawali” has also been used in medieval literature – “Seeing Hiramani shining in Deepawali, many brothers become happy” (Parmananddas). Some great men reject both “Deepavali” and “Deepawali” saying that it is only the name of a row of lamps, it does not indicate the specific festival. In place of these words, they give priority to “Deepotsav”. I present three arguments to refute this argument- 1. In the dictionaries of both Sanskrit and Hindi languages (Apte Sanskrit-Hindi, Monier Williams, and Hindi Shabdsagar), the word “Deepawali” has been used for the special festival celebrated on the new moon day of the month of Kartik along with the row of lamps. 2. Many classical usages of “Deepawali” are also found in the meaning of this special festival- In Skanda Purana (Vaishnav Khand, Kartik Mahatmya) the word “Deepawali” has been used in many ways for a special festival. For example, it has been said that when Swati Nakshatra is present in the beginning of Chaturdashi and Amavasya of Ashwin month (Amanta), then “Deepawali” takes place- Ishasit chaturdshyam indukshayati thavapi. दृधौरदौ स्वतिसैंयुक्ते तदा दीपावलिरभ्वेत. (9.48) In the authentic text Veeramitrodaya in the decision of festivals, Diwali has been mentioned as the name of Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month (“Karthikkrishna Chaturdashi Deepawali”, Samayprakash, 83). This day has also been called Diwali in the commentary of Narada-Samhita (53.5) and Vaikhanasa-Grihya Sutras. 3. Those opposing “Deepawali” have forgotten the famous principle of language “Yogadrudhirbaliyasi” (the conventional meaning is stronger than the compound meaning). According to this principle also, the conventional meaning (special festival) of “Deepawali” is stronger than its compound meaning (row of lamps). In case of doubt, the meaning becomes clear from the context. Now the success of some other Tatsam names of Deepawali is expected 1. “Deepali” and “Deepali” - both these words are formed by the combination of “Deep” and “Aali” or “Aali” respectively. These words are also used in both the meanings – “row of lamps” and special festival. 2. Deepotsav - Festival of lamps. For example, this word has been used in Bhavishya Purana (4.140.73)*. 3. Deepdin - the day of lamps. This has also been used in a beautiful double meaning quote in Bhavishya Purana (4.140.71). Upashamitmeghnadam Prajwalitadashananam Ramitaramam. Ramayanamiva subhagan deepdinam haratu vo duritam. “When Meghnad calms down (or the thundering of the clouds stops on the arrival of autumn), Dashanan is burnt (or the ten directions are lit up), and Shri Ram becomes happy (or the women become happy), then may the beautiful Deepday like the Ramayana destroy your sins.” 4. Kaalratri - There are 11 types of nights described in the Aagam scriptures - Veerratri, Maharatri, Kaalratri, Mohratri, Ghorratri, Krodhratri, Achala Ratri, Tararatri, Shivratri, Divyaratri and Darun Ratri. Among these, the night of Chaturdashi which coincides with the new moon of Kartik month is called "Kaalratri" or "Kaalnisha". Deepotsav Chaturdashyan Tvamaya Yoga and Tu. Kaalratrirmaheshani Tarakalipriyankari ॥ 5. Yaksharatri - Diwali is also known as "Yaksharatri" because it is associated with the worship of Yaksharaj Kuber. 6. Deepanvita – The new moon day which is filled with lamps. 7. Deep-Daan-Diwas - Some Buddhists use the name "Deep-Daan-Diwas" for Diwali and argue that this name was popular during the time of Emperor Ashoka. Although there is a tradition of lamp-daan in many festivals, I did not find this name used for the special festival of Kartik Amavasya in Buddhist literature. It is not mentioned in the sense of Diwali in Ashoka's inscriptions and there is no special tradition of celebrating this day in Buddhism. In this way we are familiar with 10 Tatsam names of Deepawali. I am leaving out some other names for fear of expanding them. *Deepotsve creates universal joy Kurvanti ye Sumanso Balirajpujaam. charity, enjoyment, happiness, rowth, prosperity, wealth Harshen Varsamih Parthiv Yaati Tesham. Diwali-Controversy Part 2 (Tadbhava Shabd Vimarsh) Actually, there is only one Tadbhav word derived from Deepawali in Hindi, but there are four ways of writing it - 1. Diwali 2. Wall 3. Diwali 4. Wall In 1-2 and 3-4, there is only a difference of “l” and “r”, which can be explained by the Sanskrit pronunciation principle “ralayorbhedah” (there is no difference between “r” and “l” according to the context). In medieval Hindi, “divaari” and “diwaari” were prevalent. In modern Hindi, “Diwali” and “Diwali” are more popular. Therefore, we will consider the relevance of these two words. Only the word “Diwali” is included in Hindi Shabdsagar, but “Diwali” has been written as the meaning of many words (such as “Diwali,” “Deepotsav,” “Deepawali,” “Deepawali,” and “Deepanvita”). Two conclusions can be drawn from these things - 1. The main name of this festival in Hindi is "Diwali". 2. But in common parlance the word "Diwali" is also popular and is correct. The medieval literature of Hindi stands in support of the first conclusion- 1. “Gram Gram is like a wall” - Jayasi (Padmavat) (born 1492 AD) 2. “Manat festival brings happiness to the wall” - Vithaldas (born 1515 AD) 3. “Today's Diwari Mangalchar” - Parmananddas (born 1606 AD) 4. “The leopard has come to the wall and its sweet life is dear to me” - Ghanananda (Sujan-Hita, Kavitta, 45) (born 1680 AD) Its usage is universal in modern Hindi. Today, many popular Hindi newspapers like Dainik Jagran and Hindustan are standing in favor of “Diwali”. In fact, the origin of this difference of words lies in the process of making Prakrit words from Sanskrit. Anti-Hindi people should be careful here because opposing “Diwali” is opposing Prakrit – which is the mother of most of the languages of India. According to Paia-Sad-Mahannavo (Prakrit-Shabd-Maharnav), two main words are formed in Prakrit from Sanskrit word “deep” – “Diya” and “Deev”. From these, “Diya” and “Deeva” (medieval) are formed in Hindi, from which “Diwali” is formed. At the same time, the synonym of deep in Hindi is also “Diya”, which is found in medieval literature – “Diya Mandir Nisi Kare Anjora” (Jaysi). Since the simple past tense singular of the verb “to give” is also “Diya”, therefore “Diya” has become obsolete in the meaning of deep in modern Hindi. In modern Hindi, only one tadbhava form of deep is popular – Diya. Therefore, the word “Diwali” seems more convenient to the people who use the word “Diya”. Even if the reputed Hindi writers and journalists, unfamiliar with word history and linguistics, keep calling one word correct and the other incorrect; even if they keep logically linking “Diwali” to “Diwala” and “Diwali” to “Chahar-Diwari”, but in view of all the above evidence, my decision is that in Hindi, “Diwali” and “Diwali” - both are valid for Deepawali. For those who have gone beyond this controversy, the line from Shivamahimnah Stotra is helpful - “ruchinām vaichitryādṛjukutilānāppathjuṣām / nṛnāmeko gamyastvamasi payasamarnava iva” (“You are the one destination for people who take various straight and crooked paths due to diversity in their interests, like the ocean for rivers”). K Rajaram IRS 311024 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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