We wish all our readers a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Deepawali and New Year.
Let us begin with a short prayer that highlights the importance of light
शुभं करोति कल्याणं आरोग्यं धनसंपदा ।
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
Shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadaa
Shatrubuddhivinaashaayam deepajyotirnamostute
All through my childhood – and even today in millions of homes – we used to chant this prayer in the evening standing in front of a ghee lamp at the altar of the house. It means, “The lighting of the lamp brings us auspiciousness, good luck, health and prosperity and also destroys negativity and the destructive thoughts of all kinds of enemies. We bow in reverence before the light of this auspicious lamp.”
In short, this lamp offers us solutions over our enemies including all kinds of lack and fear. Darkness gives rise to fear. And fear means death. Whoever is afraid or lives in fear is basically dying every moment. To keep away from darkness one requires light in every moment. Thus, in many religions, light is accorded the highest stature and placed at the zenith. Our pursuit is ultimately in the direction of light. All over the world, in all the different religious or spiritual practices, lighting a lamp holds special importance.
For our planet, the primary source of this light is the Sun. In daily spiritual practice, or during Deepawali, the lamp we light, or the holy fire we ignite is basically a miniature version of the Sun. Our ancient sciences state that it is only through the worship of the Sun or Light that we can hope to make progress in life.
The other way to conquer fear is with togetherness. Human beings are social beings. The evolution of the human being is very closely connected to forming groups and living together. We become stronger and are not alone. Our festivals reinforce our relationships. As everybody comes ‘together’ in the same activity, the potential for joy is immense. The exchange of gifts, sharing delicious food and rekindling our connections in person is perhaps more important than ever before in our increasingly online world.
Deepavali is the biggest festival of light celebrated all over India and in many parts of the world. Celebrated in the Indian month of Kartik, the festival of Deepawali brings both light and joy. As we light rows upon rows of bright lamps in our homes and cover entire cities in twinkling lights we offer ourselves positivity, energy, purpose and oneness. It invites light in our lives in every way and medium, through lamps, bright and new clothing, energetic food, sparkling fireworks and brightened faces. This great ritual performed by a huge population pulls us all in one direction and instils in us the firm trust that no matter what happens in the world around us, ultimately, all forms of Darkness must be conquered by Light.