an 18th century painting illustrating verses from the Puranas

This painting, titled ‘Diwali Rituals’ by Nainsukh, is accompanied by a Sanskrit verse. The verse describes the rituals to be performed on Naraka Chaturdashi and Dipawali (Diwali). The verse itself appears in the Skanda Purana (Karttikamasa-mahatmya; Rites to be performed on Dipawali – Chapter 9), and in the Padma Purana (Uttara-Khanda, The Celebration of Dipawali, Chapter 122).

Nainsukh belonged to a family of artists in Guler (Himachal Pradesh), considered to be one of the most important practitioners of Pahari painting. Eventually, he left his father, Pandit Seu and brother, Manaku’s workshop in Guler to pursue work in Jasrota. This painting was created in Jasrota.

In the painting, Nainsukh records the rituals performed on the night before the Diwali. However, unlike paintings which feature fireworks, or Diwali celebrations, this painting offers a slightly more personal, and somewhat unique glimpse into the festival. To explain in more contemporary terms – you share a photograph of your Diwali festivities, rangoli, and so on; in comparison, a photograph of your Diwali cleaning would be slightly more personal.

Let’s take a deeper look at the painting:

Nainsukh seems to visually communicate the Sanskrit verse. The main figure (perhaps a priest), thus appears in the painting thrice.

The Diwali Ritual to ward off hell (Naraka)

On the left corner, you see the main figure, dhoti-clad, with one hand raised. In this hand, he holds a pot-gourd, and some leaves of a plant.

The ritual requires him to whirl these around his head, while reciting a mantra. The verse mentions the preparation of an oil bath, to rid oneself of sins and to avoid hell.

There is Lakshmi in the oil and Ganga in the water.
He who takes early morning bath on the fourteenth day i.e. on Dipavali day, does not see Yama’s region.
For the destruction of Naraka (to avoid hell), the devotee should stir and whirl Apamarga (the plant), Tuṃbī (pot-gourd) or Prapunnata (plant) in the water kept for bath.
The following excellent Mantra should be repeated nine times:

“O Apamarga, you are endowed with thorny leaves and you are in contact with the lump of clay from the furrow. Dispel sin even as you are being whirled again and again.”
He should then move round Apamarga and Prapunnata above the head.

The Skanda-Purana, G.V Tagore / Ebook

The Diwali ritual of purification

In the second instance, you see the main figure sitting in the courtyard.

He sits on a low wooden stool, pouring water and sesame seeds into a vessel placed on the ground. On the mud floor, you see an intricately painted floor design (rangoli) leading up to the entrance of the house. You also see plates containing earthen lamps, their flames burning bright.

At the outset many lamps are lit. They are then placed in golden vessels…After taking bath, the devotee should, with the wet clothes on, offer lamp to the sons of Yama…With each mantra three handfuls of water with gingelly seeds should be offered…

The Diwali Ritual – Nirajana (Waving of Lamps)

On the top left, the main figure appears again. This time, he seems to be whirling a bunch of burning wooden sticks. This is the rite of Nirajana (arti / waving of lamps), aimed at the purification of the devotee.

Then the rite of Nīrājana should be performed and the omens observed. After performing the Nirajana rite, the lamps should be placed in their respective places.

Many families in India continue to observe these rituals during Diwali.

To read the original verses in Sanskrit, accompanying the painting, please view the museum-website.