Dear Editor
DEEPAVALI, or Diwali, is one of the more important festivals on the Hindu Calendar, and is celebrated by families performing traditional activities together in their homes.

‘Deepavali’ literally means a ‘row of lights’. For this reason it is called the ‘Festival of Lights’. It is observed on the longest (and darkest) night of the year.

Diwali is an ancient festival brought by our forefathers from India to this land. Though their living conditions were certainly different from those they had left in India –- barrack-style housing; men, women and children in the fields from dawn to dusk –- it must have been a challenge to observe the festival. But observe it they did.

In each legend, tradition and story of Deepavali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Deepavali, and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope.

From darkness into 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 our homes and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air; and together with the sounds of Bhajans, brings joy, togetherness and love.

While Deepavali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant spiritual meaning is “the awareness of the inner light”. Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, and it is called the Atman.

The celebration of Deepavali as the “victory of good over evil” refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one’s true nature; not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With this awakening comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings ananda (joy or peace). Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this Inner Light.

Institutions survive only if the values around which they are organized remain relevant to the participants. Diwali, a religious institution, originated in prehistoric India as the inhabitants observed the life-giving sunshine decreasing with every passing day. Lights had to be lit earlier and earlier each night. The lighting of many ‘lights’ on the longest night of the year was believed to assist in turning back the tide of darkness, so to speak. Periods of misfortune, hardship and inequity, both physically and morally, are symbolised as ‘times of darkness’. This darkness, over the years, has also been likened to spiritual darkness, which must be removed by the Saving Light of Knowledge.

We pray: “Om Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya. O Lord! Lead me from darkness unto Light.” That aspect of the Divine that gives Light – Mother Lakshmi – must be propitiated for the darkness to be removed.
Hindus focus on the worship of the universal Goddess, representing light, wealth, beauty, compassion, peace, purity, auspiciousness, etc. It reflects in a most remarkable manner the various aspects of the Hindu way of life, in which purity of thought, action, devotion to God, love and tolerance to all, and the concept of the family in the social structure are given high importance. Diwali, therefore, signifies victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and truth over falsehood. Its message is to keep the Light of God forever shining in the heart.
Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandit’s Sabha, Region 3