Heart of Holi

Holi is a much-awaited festival of spring, and is not only confined to India but also popular in the West. It is a festival of colours, fun, happiness, love and devotion. In many ways, it is the battle of love. These colours represent love. To win over each other with love, that's what bhakti is all about. Holi also signifies the victory of good over evil.

The festival of Holi is associated with Prahlad, a great devotee. He was amid the most gruesome situation we could imagine. But he was undisturbed and was always blissful; he revived his eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord through Bhakti Yog. He was experiencing the unlimited love of Narsimhadev. This loving relationship can alone bestow everlasting satisfaction and joy as stated in the Bhagwad Gita, 6:22. The Lord being the Supreme controller protected Prahlad from being burnt in the fire when Holika, who had the boon to enter fire unscathed, took Prahlad on her lap and sat in the fire. Prahlad was saved by his devotion for the Lord, while Holika burnt. Thus, Holi is the time to remember Prahlad's devotion and to revive it within us.

We are living in a world of uncertainties and limitations. We are constantly plagued by enemies of lust, anger, greed, pride, illusion and envy. The only solution is to revive our devotion by following Prahlad's footsteps. This way, we can celebrate Holi every moment in our hearts, irrespective of our external situations. This Holi of heart is the heart of Holi.