In this article, we will know if Valentine’s Day has a spiritual meaning or not and its significance in Hinduism. It arrives on 14th February every year; it is the day that is famous worldwide and has now become a matter of business.
In the olden days, Valentine’s Day used to give the opportunity to couples to express their love and propose to someone they were in love with. However, a person now expects things and surprises from their partner. It has become more of a compulsion rather than a celebration.
Also, when one fails to fulfill their partner’s expectations, a couple might also get into arguments and fight.
Valentine’s Day has become a commercial holiday more than a religious one. Now couples don’t celebrate it as a choice but as a compulsion to fulfill their partner’s expectations in the relationship.
In the US, the market makes more than $ 18 billion on this day alone. In Britain, the market makes more than £1 billion by producing flowers, chocolates, stuffed toys, greeting cards, and more. 30-40% of the population, especially the new younger generation, celebrates the day by presenting their partner all these gifts and taking them to dine, trips, movies, and more.
History of Valentine’s Day
It is believed that the day was named for Saint Valentine, and there were three Valentine saints as per Catholic Church. The day is celebrated to honor the saints Valentine who were killed by a demon King in the olden centuries. Some legends also relate it to an ancient festival Lupercalia. Lupercalia was replaced by Valentines day to remove the cruelties and to introduce love and compassion.
However, there is another belief that refers to the mating season of the birds. In England and France, 14th February begins the mating season for birds, and hence the day was associated with love.
Does Valentine’s Day Have a Spiritual Significance in Hinduism?
Valentine’s Day is originated from Christianity since all three Valentine named saints were Christians. However, it is not related to any spirituality in Christianity as well.
In Hinduism, many other days are there, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s day. Valentine’s day is considered one such day and hence contains no spiritual meaning. However, there are days such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami, Gurupaurnima, Navratri, all of which hold high spiritual and religious significance. This is because all of these days are related to many legends of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Hence Valentine’s day provides no spiritual benefit to humans.
In Hinduism, there are four prime elements of life. They are Dharma (righteous conduct), Artha (acquisition of wealth by honest means), Kama (physical and mental happiness), and Moksha (Final Liberation). This means that in order to attain Moksha, a person should perform Artha and Kama be in accordance with Dharma.
On valentine’s day, however, businesses increase the prices of all the gift items such as chocolates and flowers. People indulge in drinking liquor, partying, and having sex. All of these activities are opposite to Dharma. Hence Valentine’s day holds no spiritual significance. In fact, the day influences the people negatively and decreases their spiritual progress.
On Valentine’s day, a partner expects things from the other. This means that they have expectations, and when those expectations are not fulfilled, then bitterness takes place between two people. This ruins the whole purpose of love!
In Hinduism, love is the utmost feeling which signifies divinity. Love comes without expectations, and love accepts the person as he is. Since Valentine’s day is more a business than an expression of love, it is in no sense spiritual. Also, love sees no day and time; love exists, and it exists every moment. Thus there should be no specific day allocated to celebrate love when you can express it every day.
If one doesn’t want to celebrate Valentine’s Day like the entire world does, it should be fine. If one gives a present to their partner and takes them out for dinner and other things, then that is fine too. There should be no compulsion that all the love is expressed on Valentine’s day alone. Hence when one thing comes with expectations and seems more like a business, how can it be spiritual?
Also, Valentine’s day celebration is related to Western culture, just like other days such as Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. Indians celebrate it by getting influenced by Western culture. Hence it holds no spiritual significance in Hinduism because the event depicts no legends from Hindu epics.
Wrapping Up
Now you know why Valentine’s day holds no spiritual meaning in Hinduism. The day, in fact, increases the effects of Rajas and Tamas Guna in our bodies. This is because we indulge ourselves in drinking, eating non-veg, and having sex on Valentine’s day. The day hinders our spiritual growth and decreases the Sattva Guna in our body.
Thus instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, worshipping Gods and Goddesses on their days is the most significant and spiritual activity. Doing so gives us worldly happiness as well as inner peace.
