The Conquest of Naraka Let us all firstly understand, the real essence of Diwali Celebration . Lord Narayana killed the demon Naraka. But really Naraka is the ego that parades itself by taking the hellish body to be ‘ I ’. Hence, those who enquire into the source of this Naraka and destroy him are indeed Narayana, the killer of Naraka. ' Naraka' is both the term for the hell realm and the name of the asura who was slain by Krishna, the avatar of Lord Narayana . The festival of Deepavali celebrates the victory of Narayana over Naraka'. One of the key events of this celebration is a ritual bath that is taken at an auspicious time. Taken on Naraka Chaturdasi, the auspicious bath that symbolizes the conquest of Naraka is actually bathing in the waters of true knowledge after killing Naraka, the ego, by tracking him down to his place of residence. Sri Ramana Maharishi: Naraka is he who rules the world of Hell by taking the hellish body to be ' I '. Henc...