In the diverse spectrum of Indian festivals, Holi stands out as a vibrant celebration of color, music, and devotion. But beneath its playful surface, Holi conceals a profound narrative of divine love and triumph of good over evil. At its heart lies the extraordinary tale of a young devotee, whose firm faith in the face of adversity would change the course of destiny.

As we embark on this journey to unravel the mysteries of Holi, we find ourselves in the enchanting land of Braj. Here, the divine love of Krishna continues to captivate hearts. The air is alive with anticipation, the colors are waiting to be splashed, and the stage is set for a spectacle that will transcend the boundaries of time and space. Join us as we delve into the fascinating story of Holi and discover the power of divine love that lies at its core.

The Sacred Origins of Holi

To understand the deeper essence of Holi, we must explore its origins.

The story begins with the celestial sage Kashyap, who had two wives: Aditi and Diti. From Aditi were born the celestial gods—Indra, Varuna, Agni, Vayu, and many others. From Diti, however, came two great demons, Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu.

Hiranyaksha, the younger of the two, was an embodiment of extreme greed, growing taller each day until he became a terrifying force that caused havoc on earth. His reign of terror was so overwhelming that Bhagavan Vishnu incarnated as Varaha, a boar, to vanquish him.

But the story doesn’t end there.

Hiranyakashipu, enraged by his brother’s death, sought vengeance against Bhagavan Vishnu. Overcome by hatred, he performed intense austerities to gain powers. When Lord Brahma, finally appeared and asked Hiranyakashipu what he wished for, the demon said, “I wish to become immortal. Nobody should be able to kill me.”

Unable to grant immortality, Lord Brahma offered him another boon in response to his wishes: He shall not die neither in the day nor in the night. He shall not die outside the house nor inside it. He shall not die on the earth nor in the sky. He shall not be killed by a human nor a beast, nor by any weapon."

Thinking he had outwitted God, Hiranyakashipu had used the full power of his intellect to craft these terms.

But Hiranyakashipu overlooked one thing—the omnipotent and all-knowing power of the Divine.

For while he believed he could evade death in every conceivable way, he had forgotten that it is God Himself who empowers the intellect. No matter how sharp or cunning, human intellect can never outwit the Supreme Creator.

Prahlad: The Embodiment of Devotion

In the midst of this chaos, Hiranyakashipu’s wife, Kayadhu, was expecting a child. Indra, the celestial king, upon discovering Kayadhu's condition, feared the birth of another demon. Seeking to prevent this, Indra abducted Kayadhu, intending to take her to his celestial city, Indrapuri. However, Sage Narad intervened, cautioning Indra, "Refrain from this rash act, Devaraj. The child in Kayadhu's womb will be a great devotee of the Supreme Lord. If you harm him, you will incur God's wrath and invite grave sin."

Narad ji’s wise words persuaded Indra to relinquish his plan. The sage then took Kayadhu under his care, bringing her to his ashram. Through her ears, he imparted divine instructions to the unborn child. Although Kayadhu, shrouded in ignorance, failed to benefit from these teachings, the fetus, Prahlad, absorbed them intuitively, internalizing the wisdom even before his birth. When Hiranyakashipu returned, he was overjoyed to find his newborn son, Prahlad.

As Prahlad grew, his heart became filled with pure devotion to Bhagavan Vishnu. Despite his father’s attempts to force him into the ways of demonic teachings, Prahlad remained steadfast in his love for Bhagavan Vishnu. Prahlad’s devotion was so profound that it earned the wrath of Hiranyakashipu, who resorted to unimaginable means to destroy his own son.

One of the most remarkable incidents occurred when the demons attacked him with tridents and weapons. Seeing the weapons, Prahlad remained unmoved and calmly stated,

"Vishnu Shastresh Yushmasao Maichasao Vyavasthitaha Daiteyastena Satyena Makramantvayudhanitha Vishnupurana."

He believed his Supreme Lord Vishnu resided in all things, in every being and object. Prahlad knew that the weapons could not harm him, for they too were part of the Divine. Despite the relentless attacks, the demons could do nothing to Prahlad.

But the most pivotal test of Prahlad's faith came when Hiranyakashipu's sister, Holika, took Prahlad into her lap and entered into a blazing fire, intending to kill him. She had a boon that made her immune to fire. The flames roared as the two entered, but the divine presence of Bhagavan Vishnu shielded Prahlad. As a result, Holika perished in the flames, while Prahlad emerged unscathed. This miraculous act of divine protection was a defining moment, giving it the name ‘Holika dahan’ and marking the true beginning of Holi.

The Triumph of Faith

A series of failed attempts made Hiranyakashipu furious. He then    demanded of Prahlad, "Where is your Vishnu?"

Prahlad responded with unshaken devotion: "Father, my Supreme Lord is everywhere—in you, in me, in this blade of grass, and even in this stone pillar."

Hiranyakashipu, disbelieving and enraged, pointed to the stone pillar and mocked, "If your God resides in this pillar, why can't I see Him?" In a fit of rage, he struck the pillar.

As a bolt from the blue, Bhagavan Vishnu manifested as Narsingh, the half-man, half-lion avatar, emerging from the pillar.

As Hiranyakashipu's tyranny reached its peak, Lord Vishnu had descended to fulfill divine justice. The Lord, in His unique form, confronted the demon, ensuring that not a single condition of the boon granted by Brahma was violated. The time was neither day nor night, the place neither inside nor outside, and the weapon was not of earthly form—Vishnu drew Hiranyakashipu into his lap and tore the demon apart with His own nails, at dusk, ending the reign of terror on earth.

At that moment, Prahlad stood nearby, his heart brimming with faith and pure love. This divine moment exemplified the boundless compassion of God, who is always present, guiding and protecting His devotees.

The story of Prahlad and his devotion reminds us that no matter the darkness we face, God’s protection is ever-present. Holi, as a festival, celebrates not just the triumph of devotion, but the eternal bond of love between the Divine and the selfless devotee.

Holi in the Land of Braj: Shree Krishna’s Playful Leelas

The festival of Holi has had significance in other avatars of the Divine as well, especially in the idyllic land of Braj, where the enchanting leelas of Shree Krishna had unfolded.

Throughout his life, Shree Krishna’s divine pastimes embodied love, joy, and companionship. He expressed His love for the Gopis through playful color-throwing and water splashing. Krishna applying colors to Radha’s fair skin, contrasting with his dark complexion, became symbolic of divine love and unity.

The Rasik saints of Braj beautifully captured the essence of this celebration through their timeless literature. They depicted Holi as a profound experience where the soul connects with the Divine, much like the Gopis and Radha did with Shree Krishna. The colors of Holi are not just physical pigments, but symbols of love, devotion, and the transformation of the soul in the pursuit of divine union.

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj guides us on how to celebrate Holi in its true sense. He says,

लाल सँग, खेलिय हिल मिल फाग। चलु री सखी!

(lāl saṅg, kheliy hil mil phāg. chalu rī sakhī!)

"O Sakhi! Play Holi with Shyamasundara with the sentiment of love."

Partake in the playful celebration of Holi, but with a deeper sentiment—the sentiment of love. Experience the vibrant colors of the festival with devotion, transforming the external celebration into an inner spiritual journey.

केशर घोर भाव की गोरी! पिचकारी अनुराग।

(keśar ghora bhāv kī gorī! pichkārī anurāg)

"Mix the saffron color of your devotional sentiments, and using the pichkari of attachment for Him, play Holi with Him."

Fill (pichkari) water gun with the colors of bhāv, and then engage in the playful splashing of those colors of love and devotion, making the celebration of Holi truly joyous.

The Ultimate Message of Holi

This Holi, let us transcend the surface festivities and embrace the deeper meaning of the festival. Just as Prahlad’s deep faith triumphed over darkness, and Krishna’s playful love with the Gopis symbolizes the divine connection, we too can find our hearts filled with love and devotion.

Holi is a celebration of unity in diversity, a time to break down the barriers between us and to unite in love and devotion to our common Supreme Source, i.e., God. It is a reminder that, despite our differences—whether in race, creed, or social standing—we are all part of the universal creation. May this Holi, we all immerse ourselves in the divine color of selfless love and giving, spreading joy and peace in every corner of the world.

Call to Action

Celebrate Holi with divine colors!

Be a part of the upcoming JKYog Holi Sadhana Shivir from 26th February to 2nd March 2025, in Swamiji’s presence at the beautiful JKYog Bhakti Ashram, Odisha, India.  For in-person and online registrations, click here.

Holika Dahan and Holi will also be celebrated at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, Texas, on 13^th and 15^th March 2025, respectively. Watch out for details here.

Step into the season of colors as this sacred retreat immerses you in bhakti and timeless spiritual wisdom. It is a chance to come together as a community, participating in joyous festivities, kirtans, and shared moments of devotion, strengthening your connection with the Divine.

Resources

Happy Holi: Real Story behind Holi Celebration - Swami Mukundananda