Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is an annual celebration which is embraced and celebrated by almost every distinction and strata of our society. In this time and age, the festival transcends economic, social and religious barriers. To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering.
The occasion is unique in every regard as it exhibits man’s faith and determination to convert Amawaasya (Dark Night), the darkest period of the lunar month into a mist illuminated night. The high point of the Hindu life is self-realization. Diwali provides the opportunity for introspection and self-analysis, i.e., to rekindle the flame of positivity within. The deep significance of Diwali must never be allowed to elude us as a people. Instead, the festival should be used to build bridges of love and unity rather than to construct walls of division. The universal principle is to ignite the light of wisdom so that it could permeate our entire being and those with whom we connect. Maha Lakshmi is a total representation of the eight cardinal virtues of life (Ashta Siddhi). Diwali, like other Hindu festivals, depicts spirituality transcending physical acquisition, which is a product of our lower nature.
Man, in general, is a product of duality. He is unnecessarily affected by the pairs of opposites which are influenced by ignorance. Diwali, in essence, is the sum total of that principle which is rooted in wisdom, truth and goodness.
In each legend, myth and story of Diwali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Diwali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts that this simple truth finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light — the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity. During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, joy, togetherness and hope.
A few things that the modern day individual can consider for Diwali.
Give and Forgive – Everyone forgives and forgets the wrongs done by others. There is an air of freedom, festivity and friendliness everywhere. This festival brings about unity. It instills charity in the hearts of people. Everyone buys new clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees.
Rise and Shine – Waking up during the ‘Brahmamuhurta’ (at 4 a.m.) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement. It is on Diwali that everyone wakes up early in the morning. The sages who instituted this custom must have cherished the hope that their descendants would realise its benefits and make it a regular habit in their lives.
Unite and Unify – In a happy mood of great rejoicing, village folk move about freely, mixing with one another without any reserve, all enmity being forgotten. People embrace one another with love. Diwali is a great unifying force. Those with keen inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voice of the sages, “O Children of God unite, and love all”. The vibrations produced by the greetings of love, which fill the atmosphere, are powerful enough to bring about a change of heart in every man and woman in the world. Alas! That heart has considerably hardened, and only a continuous celebration of Diwali in our homes can rekindle in us the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path of hatred.
Illuminate Your Inner Self – The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Diwali, by attaining illumination of the soul. He who Himself sees all but whom no one beholds, who illumines the intellect, the sun, the moon and the stars and the whole universe but whom they cannot illumine, He indeed is Brahman, He is the inner Self. Celebrate the real Diwali by living in Brahman, and enjoy the eternal bliss of the soul.
The sun does not shine there, nor does the moon and the stars, nor does lightning shine and much less fire. All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in this light of lights and enjoy the supreme Diwali. O man! Wake up from the slumber of ignorance. Realize the constant and eternal light of the Soul, which neither rises nor sets, through meditation and deep enquiry.
May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! May you all attain the inexhaustible spiritual wealth of the Self! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as spiritual planes!
May this Diwali increase the capacities of all those who act in conformity with the principles of truth and goodness.
Happy Diwali to all from the Viraat Sabha – Guyana!
