Diwali/Deepavali

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.  It is an official holiday in India and several other Asian countries. 

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. For Krishna devotees, the second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna's his 8th Queen Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees.

Everyone forgets and forgives 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, buy new clothes for their employees.

The most significant spiritual meaning of Diwali is "the awareness of the inner light." It reminds the celebrants that there is something beyond the physical body and mind, something which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. The celebration of Diwali 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, which is 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.)  Diwali is the celebration of this Inner Light and the recognition that the same atman or flame resides in the sacred heart of all humanity.

               "O Ram! The Light of Lights, the self-luminous light of the Self is ever shining 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 Deepavali 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 Deepavali by living in Brahman and enjoy the eternal bliss of the soul.

                The Sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightnings 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 Deepavali.

                Many Deepavali festivals have come and gone. Yet the hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the new moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance. Realize the constant and eternal light of the soul through meditation and mantra.

                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!"