Swami Swaroopananda

Diwali is a contraction of the word Deepavali which means “a row of lights” or “Billion lights.” All festivals in India have a special social, cultural, and religious significance and most celebrate the victory of good over evil. In this sense, Diwali is a day of many blessings:

It is the day when Kaikeyi’s wickedness, jealousy, and greed accepted defeat and Bharat’s love, dedication, and service triumphed. The virtuous and noble King Dasharath had created the prosperous land of Ayodhya- the land of no conflict. Only one who is Dasharath, who has mastered the ten organs – five organs of perception and five organs of action –of the chariot of the body, can live a life of righteousness. Unfortunately, discord came in the form of Manthara who affected Kaikeyi, creating a feeling of distinction and drowned the whole kingdom in sorrow. On this day, Sri Ram, Sita, and Laxman returned to Ayodhya and happiness, peace, and harmony prevailed again. Sri Ram represents honesty and firm adherence to duty; Sita embodies faith and devotion; Laxman personifies detachment and service.

For this home-coming, lamps of peace are lit…

It is the day that Sri Krishna killed Narakasura-the demon of sorrow and hell, who had kidnapped and imprisoned sixteen thousand princesses for his harem. It is the day when the selfish ego, which has entrapped all the sixteen thousand thought varieties, is killed and all thoughts get wedded to the One Infinite, Blissful, Consciousness – Sri Krishna Paramaatma-the Supreme Self in all. When our mind turns towards the Infinite Self, the sense of limitation along with its selfishness ends.

For this knowledge, lamps of joy are lit…

It is the day Lord Mahavir, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, and Swami Ramtirth left their physical bodies and became one with the Supreme Truth. The sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh was released by the Emperor Jahangir and offered prayers at the Golden Temple.

For the blessings of saints and sages, lamps of gratitude are lit…

It is the day that we harvest the results of our hard work blessed with wealth by Mother Laxmi. We pray to Her and ask the gracious Mother to shower Her blessings in abundance for the coming year; give us the intelligence to use our wealth in the right manner; and bless us with large hearts to share our riches generously with other fellow beings.

For this sharing, lamps of love are lit…

Fill the heart with the oil of love; place it in the wick of a single-pointed mind; light it with the Knowledge of Truth and remove the darkness of ignorance around you. Just as one lamp can light many lamps, make this Diwali a special occasion and let each one kindle the light of love, peace, and knowledge in many hearts.

(460 words)

(Swami Swaroopananda is in charge of Chinmaya Mission’s activities in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and the Far-East)