IN its literal sense, ‘Deepaawali’ means ‘a row of lights’. For this reason it is commonly called the Festival of Lights. It is however more popularly referred to as ‘Diwali’ which encompasses ‘Divya’ –divine, spiritual or inner light. It is therefore not only a simple festival of physical light, but an opportunity to unravel or realise that Light Divine within us- Divinity [God]. The celebration of Diwali is of five days—two days before and two after. It focuses on the adoration of God as the Universal Goddess in the name Lakshmee. ‘Lakshmee’ comes from the root ‘Laksh’, meaning impeccable, good fortune or auspiciousness. She represents wealth, light, beauty, compassion, peace, prosperity, purity. The Hindus adore her to be blessed with wealth, not necessarily material wealth, but wealth in virtues. They worship her so that their lives can become pure, thereby craving a path for God’s Realisation.
In mythological works, Goddess Lakshmee 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, yet it never comes in contact with the unclean water. It always grows and blossoms above the water. This tells that despite man is born and grow in a world filled with 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; harbour pure thoughts and do good actions; he must be non-violent in his thoughts, words and deeds.
Diwali falls on the darkest night of the year, and small clay lamps called ‘Diyas’ are lit to remove such darkness. It is the very attempt to make life luminous, carving an opportunity for inner analysis and reflection.
The ‘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 practise truth. Light is nothing other than a symbol of Divinity–God. In fact it is recognized as a gift of God. It represents all that which is positive, while darkness, all that which is negative. Hence the lighting of diyas—the celebration of Diwali symbolizes the destruction of all negative force—wickedness, bigotry, injustice, oppression, fear and sufferings. In short, the story of Diwali encompasses the significance of victory of good over evil; creates the avenue for new hopes, and higher reason to live; allows us to reflect our real identities; and rekindle the awareness of the inner light. Thus we pray while lighting diyas, “Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya—Oh Lord! Lead me from darkness unto Light”.
Diwali sends the message of brotherly love and harmony; universal peace and happiness. Thus the popular Hindu prayer: “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.” “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 calls for us to learn to recognize God in all by using our hands to serve the weak and needy ones—the poor, sick, hungry, naked and unsheltered. It is a call for us to foster that sense of humanity and regard for the needy. While we work and enjoy our lives to the fullest, we must also think of those in need. While we get wholesome food, some don’t; while we enjoy good places to rest, some don’t and as such we must always be willing to help. To give a helping hand is part of a human life. Selfishness destroys us. It destroys our human qualities and attitudes– causing us to behave like brutes among our fellow humans.
When we serve the weak, the ones who dwell amongst us; when we give all love, care and attention to them, we learn not to believe in God that is somewhere in space wanting us to cry all day to Him, but we come to the realization that the very God is in all. Service to man is service to God. This is indeed Real Worship. This is the gist of worship—to be pure and do good to others. Moreover, he who sees God in the former (poor, weak, diseased) really worships God; and if he sees God only at his alter, only in images, then his worship is but preliminary.
A very affluent man had a garden with two gardeners—one was completely reluctant, unwilling and lacked interest; the other one was reliable, hardworking and willing. The former would upon seeing the master, sing all praises to him: “How beautiful is the face of my master”. He would even dance before the owner. On the other hand, the latter gardener would talk little and do all work assigned. He would produce all sorts of fruits and vegetables and would take them to the master who lived very far by foot. Of these two gardeners, who would be more loved by the master?
This story presents the world that we are living in. God is the master and the garden is the world. In this world we have two types of people—one that is lazy and hypocritical; does nothing, but keeps talking of the beautiful eyes, face, nose and other features of God. The other type takes care of the children (fellow human) of God; the weak and destitute; the animals. Which of these would be loved more by God? Of course, the one that sleeps not until his neighbour is fed. It is said in the scriptures that those who serve their fellow man are the greatest of servants.
This era is termed “Karma Bhumi”—the place of action—actions that do not only bring happiness to ourselves, but to all—humanity as a whole. Therefore, the essence of Diwali, I feel, lie, and can be realized by the relative. Spirituality is purity, God is absolute purity, merging with that purity is for every man to reach.
We must always seek and strive for purity and at all times be willing to help all those that come our way as much as we can. Through this, the heart becomes pure (Chitta-shuddhi), and then the Great One, God who is residing in all will become manifested. This is the ultimate end-goal of man’s life.
Diwali calls for us to cease all selfishness, wickedness and other evil tendencies in order to realize our true self. It is selfishness which blocks our hearts and causes us to view ourselves to be very narrow, perverted, low and crude. Just as how we cannot see ourselves with a mirror filled of dust, so also with the Soul, our real self cannot be seen if the heart and mind are clouded with selfishness and wickedness.
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 within us 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.
A Blessed Diwali to all my Hindu brothers and sisters and to the entire nation. May the messages of Diwali guide our intellect in the right direction.