“Considering that it was the appropriate time and seeing a very large crowd at the door, the ocean of compassion, Raghubir, said with a smile, ‘Men and women, play happily.’ Then all the men and women of the city happily went to play Holi. Seeing Rama’s face, their hearts were full of happiness and attachment that cannot be measured.” (Gitavali, 310.5-6)

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समय बिचारि कृपानिधि देखि द्वार अति भीर
खेलहु मुदित नारि-नर, बिहंसि कहेु रघुबीर

नगर-नारि-नर हरषित सब चले खेलन फागु
देखि राम चबि अतुलित उमगत उर अनुराग

samaya bicāri kr̥pānidhi, dēkhi dvāra ati bhīra
khēlahu mudita nāri-nara, biham̐si kahē’u raghubīra

nagara-nāri-nara haraṣita saba cale khelana phāgu
dekhi rāma cabi atulita umagata ura anurāga

As if you are a newly minted member of the group unofficially known as the Monochrome Coalition. Your ties are severed clean. You have this simple cloth that you wear each and every day. You beg for a living. You have no connection with women. You leave everything enjoyable behind. There is no more bhoga of which to speak. Tyaga is your way of life. This might be the picture painted of spiritual life after ascending to the highest levels, but from the Gitavali of Goswami Tulsidas, we see that in the liberated state there can be many colors glowing and flowing, vibrant as ever, in the direct association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The scene is the kingdom of Ayodhya, during the reign of Shri Rama. He is the eldest son of King Dasharatha. Rama’s story is so compelling and comprehensive that there is an entire lengthy poem in the Sanskrit language dedicated to telling it. The same has been told in different languages, in varying levels of detail, ever since that ancient period of time. The focus for study tends to be on the beginning period, where Rama learns the military arts, literally wins the hand in marriage of the princess of Videha, and then abruptly leaves home to maintain the good name of His father.

The happier times, if focusing on moments absent conflict and strife, are when Rama is secure in the position that everyone wanted. There are different classes in Ayodhya. There are different statuses based on economics. It is not that everyone does the same thing. At the same time, there is ekarasa. This refers to a single feeling, experience, or mellow. This is because everyone unites in their love for Rama. In this sense, no one person is above or below their neighbor.

घर घर मन्गलचार एकरस हरसित रन्क-गनी
तुलसिदास कल कीरति गावहिं। जो कलिमल-समनी

ghara ghara mangalacāra ekarasa harasita ranka-ganī
tulasidāsa kala kīrati gāvahiṃ, jo kalimala-samanī

“From home to home auspicious songs are being sung, and both rich and poor are equally happy. Tulsidas melodiously sings Rama’s glories, which destroy all the impurities of Kali Yuga.” (Gitavali, 309.4)

We learn that the people went about their business. They worked hard, if using modern terms. They also played hard, in their time of leisure. The distinction is that even their play involved Rama. During one spring season, they waited for the proper moment to begin playing what is known as Phaga in Sanskrit. This is the festival of Holi. The origins are in the triumph of the devotee Prahlada over his inimical father, the Daitya leader named Hiranyakashipu.

The aspiring transcendentalist might be confused. Just which path should be taken? Are you not supposed to set aside material attachments? Is play not reserved for children? Are not sannyasis, babajis, and other renounced ascetics above engaging in frivolous sports and games? Isn’t it silly to shoot colored dyes at other people, even if everyone is having fun?

श्री-भगवान् उवाच
अनाश्रितः कर्म-फलं
कार्यं कर्म करोति यः
स सन्न्यासी च योगी च
न निरग्निर् न चाक्रियः

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
anāśritaḥ karma-phalaṁ
kāryaṁ karma karoti yaḥ
sa sannyāsī ca yogī ca
na niragnir na cākriyaḥ

“The Blessed Lord said: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic: not he who lights no fire and performs no work.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.1)

The proper understanding is there the entire time, if we care to access it. Shri Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita that the actual measure of advancement is in the spirit of renunciation. This does not mean a person necessarily gives up work or stops living life. The telltale sign of that detachment is full attachment to the Supreme Lord. The people of Ayodhya had that for Rama. They played to make Him happy.

The accusation can be made that playing automatically creates forgetfulness. The people are focusing on their colors and their targets. They are running here and there. It is said that Krishna Himself played such games, during the same time of the year, with the cowherd girls known as the gopis. The distinction is the lack of forgetfulness. Children under the care of their parents may happily play in the living room. They collect blocks. They make words out of letters. Their introduction into the visual arts is trying to paint or draw. When the children are done, they bring the finished works to their parents. It is their way of offering a gift. What loving parent wouldn’t be overcome by such kindness? What loving parent wouldn’t appreciate the effort that their child went through?

खेलत बालक ब्याल सँग मेलत पावक हाथ
तुलसी सिसु पितु मातु ज्यों राखत सिय रघुनाथ

khelata bālaka byāla sa~ga melata pāvaka hātha
tulasī sisu pitu mātu jyoṃ rākhata siya raghunātha

“In the way that parents intervene when the children play with a snake or put a hand in fire, Sita and Rama are like the mother and father who protect Tulsidas in the manner of a small child.” (Dohavali, 147)

It is the same with the Supreme Lord. He enjoys witnessing the happiness of the devotees. They will never leave His side. Their affiliation will never break. In this way, they are truly liberated, as the distinction between material and spiritual no longer applies to them.

In Closing:

That distinction between,
Material and spiritual seen.

Since no longer applying,
First on permission relying.

On Holi with colors to play,
In front of Rama to display.

Since fixed in devotion set,
Never His interest to forget.

Categories: holi, holiday

Tags: festival of colors, god, hare krishna, hinduism, holi, poem, poems, poetry