I SHALL begin by saying something which I said many times in the past. In Hinduism, there is a wheel of festivals, observances and seasons, which make us constantly remind ourselves of the existence of God, and which assist us very profoundly to engage in pious, positive and non-violent activities, that will carve paths for good and righteous living. They help to shape and mould our lives in such ways that will definitely make us walk on the path of God’s realisation. They create paths for spiritual elevation and solace.

About three weeks ago, Hindus celebrated a very auspicious and most sacred festival called Nava-Raatri in which emphasis was placed elaborately on the worship and adoration of God in the feminine aspect.

It was a spiritual journey of nine nights by which the expectation at the end was to ensure we become changed Hindus and better human beings.
Indeed it was an opportunity for spiritual transformation. Here again is another festival and observance for us to use for similar transformation- the festival of Deepavali [Diwali].

In its literal sense, the word ‘Deepavali’ means ‘a row of lights’. For this reason it is commonly called the festival of lights.

This festival is more popularly called ‘Diwali’ which encompasses ‘Divya’ meaning divine, spiritual or inner light. It is therefore not a simple festival of physical light, but an opportunity for us to unravel or realize that light within us-Divinity [God].

It is five days of celebration commencing two days before and ends two days after. During this season, Hindus basically focus on the worship of God as the Universal Goddess, Lakshmi Devi.

‘Lakshmi’ comes from the root ‘Laksh’, meaning impeccable, good fortune or auspiciousness. She represents wealth, light, beauty, compassion, peace, prosperity, purity, etc.

The Hindus adore her to be blessed with wealth, not necessarily material wealth, but wealth in qualities [virtues]. They worship her so that their lives can become pure thereby craving a way for God’s Realization.

In mythological works, Goddess Lakshmi is shown either sitting or standing in a lotus.

This has a powerful message for man. The lotus grows in murky stagnant and polluted water, and yet it never comes in contact with the unclean water. It always grows and blossoms above the water.

This is telling that despite man is born and grow in a world full of negative influences and impurities, he must somehow be like a lotus to detach himself from the impurities and illusions of the world and live a life of purity; harbor pure thoughts and do good action; he must be non-violent in his thoughts, words and deeds.

The very ‘Diya’ that is lit on Diwali symbolises the quest for inner purity and enlightenment.

It is the goal of man to live in light and practice truth. Light is nothing other than a symbol of Divinity [God]. We link that light [diya] to knowledge so that every diya that we light has a great and most divine significance.

We light the diya with the aim and belief that darkness [ignorance] will always be conquered by light [knowledge]. As we light every diya we pray that we will be lead from illusion to reality and from ignorance to wisdom.

For this reason, the Hindus have always viewed light as being synonymous to God.  

This simple diya that is lit represents and gives an impacting message to man. It shows exactly what man should be like; how he should behave and live his life. Containing oil or ghee with a wick, the diya gives off a bright and most luminous brilliance.

Our minds must be like the diya to hold ghee, [in this case the ghee represents pure thoughts], then from pure thoughts, our actions will become pure and good [the hands which are use to perform the now pure and good actions, represent the wick of the diya].

As a result of the good and pure actions, our lives will be filled with happiness and divine virtues. Hence, such virtues that will be accomplished signify the light of the diya.

The light the diya gives off can also be interpreted in another way. The diya gives light to the world and does not discriminate among whom should get its light or not. Despite religion, race and beliefs of people, everyone benefits from the light.

Similarly, man must do things that will not only bring benefits to his family or to himself, but to all mankind. By practicing this type of living, we will have a better world and place to live. Simultaneously, this type of living brings out the real Hindu way of life of brotherly love and harmony.

The Hindu scriptures teach very clearly and most in detail the idea of brotherhood.

We do not say that we should love only those who are attending our place of worship as brothers and sisters and others should be condemn as believed and preached by some. We do not believe that only those of our religion will be saved and others will be punished.

We believe that all people are of one creator and God remains equal to all. One of the many popular Hindu prayers says, “Oh God! Let there be good to all. Let all be free from sickness and sufferings.

Let all be happy and fearless, with sympathy for each other and success everywhere. Let the King protect the people so they may be prosperous. Let the bipeds and the quadrupeds be prosperous. Let there be peace in the God and the three worlds, and may we and all other beings have peace. You encourage godliness and establish peace amongst the people.

Let there be peace to my friend as well as my foe.” Another Hindu verse of prayer supports this idea, “Oh God! Let us be saved together; let us be raised together. Let us be united and strengthened together. May we never envy each other.”

Diwali is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple- and some not so simple-joys of life. It is a time of spiritual power, faith and introspection. It is a time for us to identify the negative forces [vices; lust, greed, anger, hate, malice, jealousy, contempt, etc] in our lives and seek ways for their destruction, so that we may live a life of peace, harmony, brotherly love and truth. We will commit fewer mistakes and seek to cultivate good habits and virtues in our lives. 

Vices are the evils that sway us from the path of real and serene living. Lust, greed, anger, hate, malice, conceit, jealousy, etc, are the root cause of man’s miseries and sufferings in this world.

Swayed by them, man eats the wrong things; speak the wrong things; spend money on non-essential things; harbor wrong company; and do the wrong things in his life. Mistakes are therefore committed when human allows vices to intervene and take control in their lives.

He cannot make the right decision at this stage, and as a result, he lives his life like a brute. At this stage even religion and God become a mockery for him. Hence the essence of Diwali is for us to identify these vices and our weaknesses and seek corrective measures.

However, it must not be denied that in today’s world many Hindus (please note, I am saying many, not all Hindus) do not really celebrate Diwali for such change and transformation in their lives, and as a result of this, they are not able to see the real significances of the festival.

We need to observe Diwali not only to light physical diyas, but to reflect upon the significance of lighting them. We have to light our diyas with the idea in mind that it is a starting point of change in our lives. Change in the sense that after the festival, we will not speak the same way (indecently); we will not do the same wrong and unethical things; we will not abuse our spouse and children; we will not harbor the same bad company; etc. In this way Diwali will have better meanings in our lives and it will help us to become better Hindus.

We have to remember that people judge or misjudge our religion by the things we say and do. Our lives must reflect the great teachings of our Dharma, Hinduism.

Let it be known here that I do not wish to offend my Hindu siblings, but I wish that by this writing I may be able to shine some light of transformation into their lives that will help and encourage them to correct themselves, and try to live better Hindu lives.

After all, we must be proud to be Hindus and to have a great festival like Diwali to celebrate, and helps us to foster change and spirituality in our lives.

In conclusion, I wish to sincerely extend Diwali greetings to all my Hindu brothers and sisters and to the entire nation. May this festival inspire you the walk on the path of truth and righteousness. Please attend your mandir’s services.