We must perform austerity. We must live a very restrained life. Dana is charitable feeling, charitable nature and charitable act in respect of others, while Yajna is the self-dedication we make of our own self wholly and totally to the Supreme Being. We have various occasions throughout the year to remind us of the threefold duty. They are called Vratas , some of which are annual, some monthly and some daily.
People take a holy oil bath, put on new clothes, eat delicious dishes.
Crackers are burst and lines of light are lit everywhere. There is an atmosphere of gaiety and sanctity. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and Divine grace is invoked. Though there are many stories associated with this celebration of Dipavali, the prominent one is the killing of the demon Narakasura by Lord Sri Krishna, while returning to Dwaraka from Indraloka, from where he brought the Parijata plant, to fulfil the wishes of Satyabhama, his consort. The Dipavali festival is regarded as an occasion particularly associated with an ancient event of Sri Krishna overcoming the demoniacal force known as Narakasura, recorded in the Epics and Puranas.