“DIWALI” is a time for celebration, but it is also a time for reflection; and we must re-commit, re-dedicate and re-focus ourselves to our core values. It is a time when we must remember that there are always others less fortunate than ourselves. This holiday reminds us about our relationship with God, and that we should commit ourselves to helping those in need. On behalf of the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., and its Guyana and Canada Chapters, I am pleased to extend “Shubh Deepavali” greetings to all my Hindu brothers and sisters in Guyana and across the globe on the occasion on the festival of light.

At this time, we must renew our commitment to kindness; to think of all those less fortunate individuals, especially, all those who are sick, invalid, lonely, abused, homeless, and our seniors. A significant event in the Hindu religious calendar, Deepavali celebrates prosperity and showers its light over darkness. A very special occasion that is cherished and loved by many people across the world, Diwali is now celebrated by all communities in Guyana and across the globe. It is a beautiful recognition that light is something which is universal, significant and important for every one of us.

A single “diya”, or lamp, holds infinite beauty and hope from within us. We need to kindle the light of hope and love from within our personalities, so we can brighten ourselves and the people around us. From time immemorial, Diwali has been a celebration of victory over evil or darkness, and also symbolizes the coming of a new year. But if we think deeply, what is this darkness that we want to remove? How can we remove the darkness from within us? Where there is darkness, we need light; and there is tremendous darkness within each one of us, so let us kindle the light from deep within us.

Light means to follow a virtuous path, such that our thoughts are always pure, our words are sweet and peaceful, and thus bring joy to the listeners. Also, our actions are always beneficial, first to ourselves, and then to others and to the environment.

On this Diwali, we need to pray and get rid of all the darkness from within our society and ourselves. Darkness is when our thoughts are negative; and when these thoughts are reflected in our words or actions, they bring hurt and sorrow to others at every turn.

In reality, evil or darkness does not have an identity of its own; it exists due to a lack of goodness or light. Knowledge, power, and all that is pure are very real characteristics, since they are part of us; perhaps hidden, yet existing.

Let us use this Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in the fight against evil forces within society, and to create peace and happiness for ourselves and others.

As we celebrate Diwali, its message is a reminder that we are the “Deepak,” that inner being, to have that experience of enlightenment. When the light of the soul is lit, that fire brings light not only to our own lives and relationships, but also to all the Deepaks that are in us. When all the Deepaks and the souls are lit with love, truth, peace and respect, they create a rosary. In “Deepmala,” the rosary of Deepaks, the souls have been lit with the light of truth, and we are able to bring optimism to ourselves, the people around us and the whole world.

It is clear that each one of us contains a lot of darkness. We are all instruments that bring that light into this world of ours, so that we are able to move forward to a world that is truly loving, harmonizing and bringing peace.

So, instead of celebrating Diwali, let us experience Diwali in positive ways. As we clean our homes, let us clean our minds and intellects too. As we wear new clothes, let us also get rid of our old, unwanted, and disturbing habits of anger, jealousy and worries. Let our new but original qualities of peace, love, bliss and happiness emerge.

Tonight, we will settle our old account books and begin new ones. Simultaneously, let us settle our old karmic accounts, any unpleasant relationships, and begin our relationships in a new, positive way. We are all aware of the pollution caused by firecrackers, but it is Diwali. We need to burn crackers, so why not burn all the crackers of evil characteristics within ourselves?

This burning will, in fact, purify our minds and the environment. As we exchange sweets, let us also exchange meaningful sweet words, good wishes and blessings. If we really experience Diwali, we will succeed in invoking (calling upon) Goddess Lakshmi. Her name comes from the word “laksh”, meaning “the goal”. Experiencing Diwali will help us reach our ultimate goal of heavenly perfection – which Goddess Lakshmi stands for.

Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi is good, but what is even better is making the wealth of spiritual knowledge and qualities a part of our life. Only a divine character can attain prosperity and peace.

In an attempt to be a unifying force, the devotions during Diwali will seek to encourage greater unity amongst us individually, and more so our Hindu Leaders for togetherness and understanding. On this auspicious occasion of Diwali, let us pray for our leaders that they will confront the many challenges that are currently abounding in the society. And even as Diwali is celebrated, we pray that Maha Lakshmi brings the true wealth of peace, health, happiness and love to all of God’s creation. May the spirit of Diwali extinguish any darkness in every human personality, and illuminate their souls with the light of God.

Let us all burn like diyas – giving light and life to others — and then we can truly say that we are celebrating the festival of Light.

By Pandit Suresh Sugrim