TODAY, Guyanese of all walks of life, more particularly Hindus, will either take to the streets or the temples to celebrate the ancient spring festival, Phagwah, also called Holi or the Festival of Colours.

This year’s celebration, though coming at a time when our country is gripped by political tension, has at the core of its message the triumph of good over evil. The story of the Holi but merry festival has been passed down from generation to generation, and is a celebration of good over evil. It has its genesis in the story of a tyrannical king,

Hiranyakashyapu, who tried all he could to kill his son, Prahalad, because the boy refused to worship him as God. According to legend, the king, overwhelmed by wealth, lust, deceit, and arrogance, became blind to his real purpose in life, and eventually thought of himself to be God, and the only one worthy of worship.

His son, Prahalad, given in divine birth, while recognising the importance of obedience to parents, also recognised that no mortal should be treated as a Divine Being. King Hiranyakashyapu’s actions flourished, as it happened at a time when his Kingdom was in moral decay. But even with this, his son remained a devotee of Lord Vishnu (the Sustainer of the Universe).

And the purpose of his birth was to help correct the unrighteousness that prevailed, allowing for the restoration of decency, piety and uprightness, which were lost to arrogance, greed and lust.

In circumstances of the latter, God advents Himself as summarised in the holi scripture, the Bhagavat Gita (Songs of the Devine) Chapter: 4. Verses: 6 and 7.

“Whenever there is decay of righteousness and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I myself come forth for the protection of good, for the destruction of evildoers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness; I am born from age to age.”
Prince Prahalad’s birth was not a case of happenstance, but one geared at restoring God’s authority, which eventually saw the advent of the Lord.

The despotic king was granted a boon by Brahma (the Creator) that he would not be killed by any living or non-living creature created by him (Brahma); nor will he die within or outside his residence during the day or night, on the ground or in the sky, or by any weapon; and have no worthy rival in the battlefield.

These powers made the king change from being a devotee of God to believing that he was no longer a mortal and had become God.
Never failing in His promise, and always a preserver of righteousness, the Lord visited King Hiranyakashyapu as a half-man, half lion at twilight (which is neither day nor night); on the verge of his courtyard (which is neither indoors nor out); and put the king on his thighs (which is neither earth nor space).  And, using his nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he slayed the evil king.

In doing so, the Lord established that unrighteousness, arrogance, haughtiness and all other evils have no permanent place in society or anywhere else on earth.

Regardless of power and stature, all bad things must come to an end; and it is within this context that Phagwah is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil.
It also implores upon all to be clean in thoughts and action, since these are imperative for a transparent, progressive and respectful society.

The celebration of good over evil is a celebration of unity; a celebration of togetherness, and a celebration of courage to shun evil acts.

These help us to understand that similarities are more important than differences in this transitory life, and that all should be humble in the presence the Lord. Today, Guyanese of all walks of life will be smearing each other in a variety of colours in much fun and frolic. These colours are symbolic, in a sense that there is unity in diversity, but a more salient message would be for all to be like Prahalad; remain humble, and always eschew evil. Happy Holi to all!