Spirituality

Narak Chaudas and Roop Chaudas: Celebration of Longevity, Health and Beauty

Roop Chaudas:

Roop Chaudas, often called Chhoti Diwali, is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the auspicious month of Kartik. Roop means beauty, and Chaturdashi is the fourteenth day of the Vedic calendar, one night before the full moon or the new moon.

On this day, people get ready for Diwali by enhancing their beauty. Waking up before sunrise, using herbal oils for a massage and bath is considered to be paramount to wash off known and unknown sins on this day of Roop Chaudas.

That’s what has been written in ancient texts. Now let’s see what is the scientific reasoning behind this celebration.

-As the sun travels from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere announcing the winter, nights start to be longer than days, along with the temperature drop in Indian subcontinent. The body continues to lose heat during winter and hence, protein and fat-rich food containing nuts and Jaggery is consumed these days to compensate for a heat loss.

-During the rainy season, in absence of the sun, the skin has undergone some harmful changes. Diwali, announcing the start of the winter, is the best time to clean up the skin with deep tissue massage with herbal oils and hot water.

Four faced lamps along with Jaggery, Roli, Vermillion, and flowers are kept on a plate, for worshipping the Gods. Mother Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha should be worshipped with essence sticks and earthen lamps after the bath.

Narak Chaudas:

Lord Shiva is praised on this day by spiritual practitioners, to attain Nirvana.

Worshippers of Tantra consider this a very auspicious day to learn their Mantra, to be given by their Guru. Tantric initiation is done on this day, for the Sadhaks, who are interested in learning Tantra. It is also believed that prayers offered on this day are considered exemplary, to attain salvation while walking on the way of spirituality.

As Sri Krishna was killing Narkasura, the demon realized how he had wasted his powers and boons to do evil things in his life. In his final breath, he requested Krishna, to celebrate his death, to celebrate not just his killings, but to celebrate the killing of his wrongdoings as well.

And hence, let’s not just celebrate the killing of the demon Narkasura, let’s also celebrate the killing of the wrong things within you, killing off the sins you have committed, killing of the mistakes you have made in your life.

Reflect on these things while you will meditate on this auspicious occasion of Narak Chaturdashi.  

Worshipping Yama Today:

Lord Yama, the god of death, one of Digpal is considered to be living in the southern direction. Fourteen lamps are advised to be lit in the southern part of the house to worship Lord Yama. Yamatarpana, or Praising the Lord of death will save you from untimely demise and will make you free from any life-threatening illness.

So, get ready to shed lethargy, humidity, and darkness within your heart, welcoming warmth, light, and enthusiasm in your life on this auspicious dawn of Roop Chaudas.

Let Mother Goddess bring you health, wealth, and beauty. Team CSJ wishes you a very happy Diwali and very Happy Roop Chaudas.

The day evil Narakasura was slain by Lord Krishna is celebrated as Narak Chaturdashi.

Taking a bath before dawn is considered very auspicious, on this day of Narak Chaudas.

After the bath, prayers are offered to the god of death, Yamraj while facing southwards with folded hands. By doing this, and apologizing, you will be free from your known and unknown sins from the past.

From our entire CSJ team, we wish you a very Happy Diwali and very Happy Narak Chaudas.