Balagokulam Guide
Festivals
Biographies
Hindu Dharma
Other Topics
Sangh Prarthana
Ekata Mantra
Shlokas
Bhajans
Sangh Geet
Skits
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Narrator: A very interesting story about the first day of Deepavali is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. But the young intelligent wife saved her husband from the clutches of death through her prayers.
Husband: Today is the fourth day of our marriage and I am doomed to die by a snake-bite.
Wife: Do not worry my dear. I will do prayers and sing bhajans in praise of Lord to save you from death.
Narrator: The young wife laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's room and lighted many lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.
Yama: I am Yama and I have come to take the son of King Hima. But I cannot see him as the lights are so bright.
Narrator: When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the form of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there.
Yama: Wow….The bhajans in praise of Lord are so good….Let me hear them for some time.
Narrator: After listening to the melodious songs, Yama goes away in the morning.
Yama: The sun has come now and its time for me to go away..... May the young married couple have a long and healthy life.
Narrator: Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day came to be known as the day of "YAMADEEPDAAN" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in adoration to Yama, the god of Death.
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Narrator: The SECOND day is called NARKA-CHATURDASHI or CHOTI DEEPAVALI which falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Kartik. The story goes that the demon king Narakasura, ruler of Pragjyotishpur ( a province to the South of Nepal) after defeating Lord Indra had snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess and imprisoned many gods and saints.
Narakasur: I defeated Indra, took the ear rings of Aditi and imprisoned many gods and saints. Ha…ha….ha….ha……….(ties rope around the hands of men and women)
Men: Oh.. Lord Krishna. Narakasura is killing everyone. Please help us..
Women: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.
Narrator: Lord Krishna fights against Narakasura in a battle.
Krishna: I will remove the evils and sustain dharma in the universe.
Narakasura: Poor Krishna does not know my strength. Ha…ha…ha.. I will kill him.
Krishna: Narakasura is no more. There shall be peace throughout. Vishwa Dharma ki jay.
Narrator: Lord Krishna liberated the imprisoned damsels and also recovered those precious earrings of Aditi. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood. Krishna returned home in the very early morning of the Narakachaturdashi day. The womenfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then the custom of taking bath before sunrise on this day has become a traditional practice.
Women keep tilak for Krishna, apply oil to his body and celebrate.
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Narrator: Another legend is about King Bali of the nether world who had become a threat to the gods.
Bali: I am Bali, the most powerful of all Gods and demons. I am giving gifts today to make me more powerful.
Narrator: In order to curb the powers of Bali, Lord Vishnu visited him in the form of a small boy.
Vishnu: Oh Mahabali, I beg to you to give me land to cover with my three steps.
Bali: What? Land to cover just three steps….Ha..ha..ha….Take it…..I grant you the wish.
Narrator: That very moment the small boy transformed himself into the all-powerful Lord Vishnu.
Vishnu: With my first step I covered the entire heaven. With the second step I covered the earth. Bali, where can I keep the third step.
Bali: Oh…..Mahapurusha………I put my pride and powers at your feet and surrender to you. Please place your third step on my head.
Narrator: Putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. At the same time for his generosity Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. This day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy.
The THIRD day of the festival of Deepavali is the most important day of LAKSHMI-PUJA which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious.
All of them sit together to offer prayers to Lakshmi.
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Shiva, Parvathi Ganesh, Karthikeya, Peacock, Mouse
This is the play to exhibit that there is no match for
parents love.
Scene: Shiva and Parvathi are relaxing in Kailash
Ganesh and his brother Karthikeya (Subrhamanya) enter
the stage together
Ganesh
and Karthikeya: Pranam Matha, Pranama Pith (they
both do namaskar to Shiva and Parvathi)
Shiv and Parvathi: Chiranjeev Bhava putra
Did have fun playing together?
Ganesh: Yes Matha we did, but we are hungry. Do you have something for us to eat?
Karthikeya: Matha - we want to play some more games.
Parvathi: Oh…yes. I do here you go. ( She gives them Modakas. Karthikeya takes only one, and Ganesh takes the whole plate) I think I have a game for both of you
Ganesh : If I win - do I get something?
Karthikeya: Is that right? What is it?
Shiva: What do we have for the winner?
Parvathi: (Showing her necklace) - here it is: the beautiful the Hara for winner
Karthikeya : That's wonderful, then why wait! Let start.
Shiva: Let your Matha me explain the game rule
Parvathi: That's right! The game is to go around the most important and the largest
thing I the world 3 times. Whoever completes 3 rounds first they will get the Hara
Karthikeya: That's easy! The Brahmanda (Universe) is the most important and the largest. I will go around the Brahmanda and finish 3 rounds - at the speed of the light
Ganesh are you ready?
Ganesh: (Eating is modaka) ..Yes….
Karthikeya: (laughing).. Ha….ha.. Ganesh how can you win this race with your bigg tummy and little mouse
Ganesh: I will try my best..
Partvathi: OK - ready 1, 2, 3. let the race begin
(Karthikeya Sits on his pecock and goes around the universe (go behind the stage)
Ganesh is eating modakas - not bothered about the race)
Shiva: Parvathi, look at Ganesh.. so lazy. He does not want to win the race.
Parvathi: No.. I think Ganesh has something in his mind . Let's wait and see
(Karthikeya (enters the stage and looks at Ganesh): Ganesh .. why are you lazy. I am done with my first round..)
Ganesh: That good.. (busy eating his modakas)
Karthikeya: goes for the second round (exit the stage)
(Ganesh is still eating, Parvathi and Shiva are smiling at Ganesh)
Karthikeya: (enters the stage).. Matha, Pitha I am done with my 2 rounds. Ganesh - you did not start yet! How can that be! You are so lazy! Matha - don't you think - I should get the hara? I will go for my last round (He exits the stage)
Ganesh : Gets up and goes around shiva and Parvathi 3 times.
Parvathi: Ganesh - here you go (Gives her necklace)
Ganesh : Dhanyavad matha
Karthikeya : (Enters the stage and looks at Ganesh)
No .. this is not right. How can he get the hara. I am the winner.
Something is wrong here.
Shiva: Karthikeya, Nothing is wrong. Ganesh considered parents are the most important and their love is the largest in the whole wide world, so he did went around his parents 3 times. There is nothing bigger than parents love. So he is the winner in this race.
But - we love you too. Here you go you take my hara (necklace).
Karthikeya: I agree with you pitha. I learned a lesson. I do see the most the important and largest thing parents love is right here.
Both Ganesh and Karthikeya: Mathrudevo Bhava Pithru Devo Bhava
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Cast:
Narada - Narrator role
Hiranyakashipu (HK) - The demon king, father of Prahlada
Khayadu - Prahlada's mother
Prahlada - Son of Hiranyakashipu, devotee of Lord Vishnu
Sukracharya - The Guru of Asuras, the teacher of Prahlada
Holika - Sister of Hiranyakashipu, who tries to kill Prahlada in fire
Narasimha - Lord Vishnu's incarnation, killer of Hiranyakashipu
Lord Vishnu -- Lord Vishnu, to appear at the end of the drama
Sevaks of Hiranyakashipu ( Can be 1 or 2)
Students with Prahlada ( Can be 1 - 3 )
There will be 3 scenes:
Scene -1 : This is the scene in which HiranyaKashipu tells Shukracharya to teach Prahlada that he
is the Supreme God.
Scene- 2 : Shukracharya teaching the students. Prahlada always chants "Om Namo Narayanaya"
Scene- 3: HiranyaKashipu angered by Prahlada's Bhakthi towards Vishnu, asks servants to kill
Prahlada by the help of elephants. When it fails calls Holika and asks to kill Prahlada in fire.
Then "Narasimha" comes out of the pillar and defeats Hiranyakashipu. Finally Lord Vishnu blesses
Prahlada.
Narada : [ Intro] Narayana.. Narayana.. I am going to tell you the story of great devotee of Lord Hari--Bhaktha Prahlada. HiranyaKashipu and his brother Hiranyaksha were all set to conquer the world.
Lord Vishnu defeated Hiranyaksha in his incarnation as a Cosmic Boar. Since then he considered Lord Vishnu as his enemy Afterwards HiranyaKashipu performed a penance to appease Brahma and got a boon which made his death difficult Meanwhile his wife Khayadu stayed in my ashram when she was bearing Prahlada in her womb. The little Prahlada imbibed the path of devotion to Lord Vishnu when he was in his mother's womb.
Now is he is a young boy and you can see the power of his devotion yourself --
Scene 1 : ( The court of HiranyaKashipu)
Prahlada: Hari Om Namo Narayana…Hari Om namo narayana.
(HiranyaKashipu and sis Holika frown)
Holika: Dear brother I think you must send him the gurukul to learn how to be an Asura King.
HiranyaKashipu:You are right sister Holika. I will call on Guru Shukracharya.
(Two sevaks go to call on him)
Sukracharya, Two sevaks : The king of all the three worlds, the supreme power of All Asuras, O mighty
king HiranyaKashipu we all bow to you.
HiranyaKashipu: Guru Sukracharya, It is time for my son Prahlada to learn the Asura qualities You should teach him that I am the supreme God. He must also
know who my enemy is.
Sukracharya : O King, we will put all our efforts and give the education for Prahlada as per your instructions. Shall we take Prahlada with us now?
HK : Sure. [ Points to one of the Sevakas]. Please call Prahlada here.
Sevaka 1: Sure, King, [ Goes inisde and brings Prahlada and Khayadu]
Khayadu : [ To HiranyaKashipu] O Lord,I think he is still younger. Please let him stay here longer
HiranyaKashipu : No Khayadu. He needs to learn and understand the real thing
My dear son Prahlada, Come on here.. [ Holds him] It's time for your education now. I
have made all arrangements with our priest Sukracharya for your education. Please go with him and
learn all the necessary skills.
Prahlada : I will, father. [ Bows to father and mother)
[Sukracharya takes Prahlada in hand] [ Everybody goes]
Scene-2 : [ Sukracharya is teaching the students ]
Shukracharya : Dear students, Do you remember what did I teach you yesterday?
Student 1: There is no one greater than HiranyaKashipu. He is the supreme one.
Student 2: HiranyaKashipu is the king of all worlds. We should praise him.
Prahlada: Lord Hari is the supreme God, He is the cause of all universe. We should
all worship him. "Om Namo Narayanaya", "Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya".
Sukracharya : Prahlada, You are under the wrong impression. You should chant mantras
praising your father HiranyaKashipu.
Prahlada : No Guru, Lord Vishnu is the teacher and protector of the world. Praying him will
bring peace and prosperity
Student 3: We like the things that prahlada speaks.
Narada: Narayan Narayan Guru Shukracharya couldn't do much to change him , so he brought him back to Hiranyakashipu
Scene -3 : [ The court of HiranyaKashipu]
HiranyaKashipu :(Prahlada on his lap) My dear son Prahlada, What did you learn from your teacher during these years?
Prahlada : My dear father, I bow down to MahaVishnu, the protector of the world. I Learnt singing about Him,
remembering him, serving Him, worshipping Him and surrendring oneself to Him. Just as iron pieces
are naturally drawn to magnet, even so my mind automatically runs to Lord Vishnu abandoning
everything else.
Shukracharya : O King, What your son is saying had not been taught to him by me or anyone else. This bent of mind is natural to him. I have given up.
HiranyaKashipu : [ pushes Prahlada from his lap:and looking at the Sevaks):
You know what to do to those who chant the name of my enemy. I don't care even if it is my son.
[Seveks take him out......]
Narada: The king HiranyaKashipu tried all possible options As per his orders Prahlada was trampled by Elephants,
and bitten by Snakes.But they could not do any harm to him. They tried pushing him from the cliff and pushing
him into Ocean, that didn't work either. Lets see what hiranya kashipu's sister has in mind………………..
Holika: Oh brother, I will use my boon that fire wont burn me to help you in this situation. I can sit in the fire with Pralhada, so that
he will be destroyed.
[Holika holds Prahlada and enters the Fire, Prahlada keeps chanting "Om Namo Narayanaya"....., Holika falls down, Prahalada
gets out of the fire with out harm]
HiranyaKashipu : [ trembling in rage,jumped up from his seat with sword in his hand, looking at his son]
All of my efforts to destory you are in vain. How dare you disobey my authority?
Prahlada : Oh father, Not only for me, but for the whole world, Lord Vishnu is the source of strength. Supreme Being,
who controls everyone and is Everywhere."
HK: (showing at the door): Is your Lord in this door?
P: Yes, my father.
HK: (showing at the floor) Is he here?
P: Here too..
HK: (pointing to the pillar) Is Lord Vishnu in this Pillar?
P: Yes, father, I see Him there too.
(HK, will strike the pillar, Narasimha comes out)
Narasimha: (roars, puts HK down) Your death is not by a man or animal, not outside or inside,
not day or night, using only my claws which is not a weapon.
(After killing gets up and says)
I always protect my devotees even if I have to take birth for them.
Whole hearted devotees like you, do not long
for any enjoyments here in this world or in the hereafter. Yet I bless you for a long time to come.
Prahlada: O lord, Please do me one favour, by your grace may my father be purified from the great sins that
cannot be purified in any other way".
Narasimha : Mangalam!!!
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