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diwali
Diwali the festival of lights - apart from being the most
widely celebrated is perhaps on the of the most pretty Indian
festivals. It is a festival of joy, spledour, brightness
and happiness. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony
of five varied philosophies, which each day to a special
thought or ideal. If we celebrate each of its five
days of festivities with true understanding, it will uplift
and enrich our lives. Diwali is a time when every establishment
is illuminated with "Deeps"- oil lamps and every heart is
filled with joy. Delighted children set off fireworks in the
spirit of festival. The word Diwali comes from the word
"DIPAWALI" and falls on the last day of the last month of
lunar calendar.
The five day celebration of Diwali begins with "Dhanteras",
the day to worship Laxmi, the godess of wealth. Indian
culture has never considered wealth to be corruptive, on
the cotrary Vedic Rishis(sages) have sung praises of various
types of wealth in the 'SHRISUKTA'. According to the Indian
culture a wealthy man is considered to be God's beloved
child, he is rewarded for the good deeds done in past life.
"Suchinam Shrimatam Gehe..."(Bhagavad Geeta ch vi, v41).
"Tam ma aavah jatvedo...purushanaham"(Shreesuktam). God
grant me wealth which is beyond destruction and with which
I can aquire gold, cattle, horses and sincere friends.
Wealth in itself is not corruptive, but a wealthy person's
attitude leads to corruption. Wealth is a power. This power
either lead a man to Godhood or make him a monster. When
a man uses wealth as a means for material gains only then
he is paving his path to self destruction. On the other hand
those who revere wealth as the divine mother and consider it
to be a blessing from God, not only make themselvespure but
spread divinity everywhere they go. Money used destructively
is called "ALAKAXMI" or impure wealth, that which is used
for selfish reasons is just money or "VITTA". Money that is
used for the benefit of others is reffered to as "LAXMI"
or wealth and ultimately wealth used in God's work attain
the status of "MAHALAXMI" or divine wealth. Those who lavishly
use wealth for cultural work, the wealth remains in their
family for generations. Since wealth has such tremendous
strength in should remain in the hands of good people who
would use it appropriately. Our culture has sung praises
of the 'Rajashri'. Perhaps the greek thinker Plato was
influenced by this ideaology, when he coined the term
"philosopher king".
The second day is celebrated as Kali Chaudas or Kal Chaturdasi
the day to worship Kali, the Godess of Strength. Physical
strength used to harm others is called "Ashakti" or impious
strength, that which is used for selfish reasons is simply
strength. The strength to protect others is reffered as Kali,
and if its used for God's work it is called Mahakali. In the
Mahabharat, Ved Vyas has given us vibrant examples of human
life by skillfully protraying three diverse characters of
Duryodhana, Karna and Arjun. Duryodhan the eldest of Kauravas,
who used his strength only for selfish motives, Karna who had
vowed to use his prowess in the service of the Kauravas and
Arjun who dedicated all he had in God's work are examples of
ashakti, kali and mahakali respectively.
Another name by which this day is remebered is "Narak
Chaturdasi". The story goes that narakasur, the ill famed king
of Pragjyotishpur was creating havoc in the society by the
excessive use of his powers. He was responsible fo the
imprisonment of 16000 young women. Lord Krishna had decided
to destroy this evil dictator. Satyabhama (wife of lord Krishna)
took up the challange of rescuing the innocent women and Lord
Krishna fully supported Styabhama in her mission. This day is
celebrated as freedom from the tyranny of the evil king. People
free from atrocities of the evil ruler joyously celebrated
the event by lighting lamps to illuminate the night sky. Adorned
in new clothes they set out on the streets to express their
happiness.
Diwali is the main day of festival. It is the festival of light.
Thousands of lamps are lit in every home but if the lamp within
us is not glowing then all the others would loose their meaning.
Lamp or Deep is the symbol knowledge. Lighting the lamp of
knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon the
significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and
to bring those thoughts in to our day to day lives. Dhanteras is
the day to show our reverence for wealth by worshipping Goddess
Laxmi, Kalichaudaus is the day to destroy daemons like laziness,
impurity from within each of us. The day of Diawali is to
remeber mantra - Tamaso Ma JyotirGamaya, lead us from darkness
to light.
It is very important day for business community as it is the end
of the fiscal year. Old accounts are settled, new books are opened.
Account books are worshipped in an eleborate ceremony. It is
time to take account of one's life, to reflect upon life and
remove anger, hatred, jealousy and callousness from life and have
renewed hope from the new year.
The day following New Year to many, which is alos celebrated as
"Balipratipada". Bali was a famous king in ancient India. He
ignored the divine thoughts of the vedas and systematically
removed the thousands of years old organized philsophy from
the society. Inspite of worngs he did, he had one good quality
in him, i.e. he was a generous donor who gave from heart. To
remember him on this day, his one good quality encourages us to
perceive the goodness in others, even in our worst enemies. People
who are blinded by "kanak" - gold or wealth and "kanta" - beauty
or women become asur or demons. Lord Vishnu destroyed Bali and
gave us unique outlook towards wealth and beauty.
The final day of Diwali festival is "Bhai Dooj". This day symbolizes
the society's respect for all women. The day gives every man the
noble outlook to consider every woman as mother or sister.
Revered Pandurang Athavale Shatri says that on this day, we pray
that the almighty Lord grant us the strenght and wisdom so that
we may continue to follow path of Rishis and ask Him to enlighten
our lives and bring true Diwali in to our lives.
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This article is from Vol. 4 Number 11 November 1991 MESSAGE issue.
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