Diwali/ Deepavali, the Great Indian festival of Lights needs no introduction. This post attempts to bring out the true significance, lessons, and takeaways from Diwali/ Deepavali stories.
No one is left untouched by Diwali! The gifts-the hugs-the visits, from loved ones… the mithai-overload, the compulsive shopping, the colourful rangoli… the crackers and the many million lamps make it impossible not be drawn into a celebratory mood. And rightly so, because this very aura feeds us with enough optimism to last a whole season or maybe more…. No matter what our woes!
Why festivals?
Earlier no one needed any logic or explanation on festivities. But now there is a search for ‘deeper meanings’ in festive rituals. And luckily Hinduism is abundant in deeper meanings, as its wisdom is rooted in than that of perfected Sages/Rishis. And they have meticulously weaved in spiritual practices into seemingly simple festival observances for the benefit of the common man.
But I ask you this, do we question parties? Nope! No one needs a reason to party. That’s what our ancients did, celebrated festivals by the dozens… mostly for remarkably significant reasons but also sometimes for the fun of it!
Maybe it’s time to make festivals an integral part of our life once again… time to let them help us celebrate the joy of siimple moments that comprise Life in totality. After all, festivals DO their job! They do leave us happier, holier, and more peaceful.
So, how is Diwali/ Deepavali significant in our lives?
What must be our key takeaways from it?
We know that Diwali brings us closer to our immediate family, friends, and neighbours. The exchanging of sweets, gifts, rituals (like Bhai Dooj) and pleasantries go a long way in renewing relationships.
From the spiritual perspective, Diwali is also significant in the following ways:
-
Reminder of the core Hindu philosophy, transition from darkness to light
The famous Pavaman mantra from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) says,
‘From untruth (evil) lead us to Truth (good)
From darkness lead us to light
From Death lead us to Immortality
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih’
The lights all around us on Diwali are significant of exactly this.
Literally, Diwali falls on the darker side (Krishna Paksha) of the month. So, lamps (diyas) are meant to guide the divinities especially Goddess Laxmi find her way to grace our homes. Also, to keep evil spirits away. And to beg Yama for protection and long life.
Symbolically, Diwali is the day to remember that the greatest light is within us, the light of the Divine Atman. And so long as we are in touch with this Divine light within, we can triumph over the many Ravanas and Narakasuras that frequent our lives.
These ‘Asuras’ are not just external toxic people but also internal toxic emotions and habits that keep re-creating negative situations for us in life.
Therefore, go within, light up self-awareness by connecting with the Atman. Cast out Tamasic darkness from life along with resultant vices of pride, arrogance, delusion, inertia, envy, greed, hatred, fear
-
Generosity without discrimination can be lethal
The Bhagavad Gita in Chapter Verse 17 quote 20/22 clearly advises us that Charity/Benevolence shown to undeserving people at the wrong time and place can be Tamasic.
‘A gift given at the right place and right time to a worthy man, without any services in return, is full of Sattva.’ (17.20) Bhagavad Gita
‘A gift, given at the wrong place and wrong time to undeserving people, or given disrespectfully or insultingly, is Tamasic.’ (17.22) Bhagavad Gita
Hindu mythology leaves no stone unturned in reminding us of this key lesson.
Almost all the great asuaras whether Ravana, Narakasura, Mahishasura or others misused the power of their boons. Boons that were granted by the Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu- Shiva out of their largesse.
Lesson for all is that never get overly carried away. Be generous, but always use discrimination to ascertain whether the person is deserving of it. Understand his real intention and character flaws. Put forethought into assessing whether he can cause damage to others with the resources being donated to him.
For example, releasing life-sentence serving prisoners could be a hugely altruistic act from one perspective. But extremely dangerous from another.
-
The annihilation of Evil is certain, Dharma always prevails. So don’t be hesitant to take the right stand when it is time to act.
Every single Diwali folk lore ends with the annihilation of Evil. When it is time to stamp out the Bad, the Trinity or Mother Shakti leave no stone unturned. Sometimes they toe the line to cleverly sidestep the boons granted by their own selves to slay the perpetrator.
Eg: Death of Mahishasura by Goddess Durga as he could not be killed by any male. Death of Narakasura through Satyabhama an incarnation Bhoodevi, as only his mother could kill him.
-
Pride, arrogance, lust always ends in self destruction, also loved-one’s destruction.
Again, all Diwali stories signify that pride not only comes before the fall, but also makes one so blind that one pulls down loved ones and team into one’s precipitous fall. Ravana lost all his subjects, his brothers and countless asuras from his team. Mahishasura, Narakasura lost countless friends and soldiers before they finally met their fate.
-
Never underestimate someone’s power.
Lord Rama won against the fearsome asuras with a Vanara Sena (army of monkeys). Hanuman burned down half the Lanka much to Ravana utter shock. Mahishasura, drunk on his power tried to woo Goddess Durga, oblivious to the grave danger he was in. Narakasura wouldn’t have dreamed that his own mother (Bhoodevi) in the form of Satyabhama would slay him.
-
Bad company never yielded good results.
Narakasura, though not an asura became one in the company of his best friend Mura. One can only guess the greatness he could have achieved had he made better use of his boons and the advantage of being the son of Goddess Earth (Bhoodevi) and Lord Vishnu.
Similarly, Kaikeyi’s love for Rama turned into hatred when her attendant Manthara became her toxic confidante.
Diwali’s significance in reinforcing virtues:
-
Maintain Humility irrespective of your personal power:
Despite being an extremely powerful and talented prince, Sri Ram embodies humility. He treats his monkey army with great regard and faith. In one instance, he does not hesitate to eat berries that have been tasted and then offered devotedly by the old Shabari. Similarly, Lord Krishna stories also show humility and kindness to all, especially the one where he appreciates his poor friend Sudama’s offering.
-
Obedience to parents and elders
Rama did not flinch before accepting the 14year exile to the forest mandated by Kaikeyi. He stamped out his desires and hesitation to embrace inconveniences and hardships simply to keep his father Dashratha’s word.
-
A Spirit of Service, Self-sacrifice, Love
Sacrifices made by Rama for Dashratha; Sita, Lakshamana, Bharata for Rama all show how goodness, spiritual evolution, love and self-sacrifice all go hand in hand.
-
Maintain Chastity:
The loyalty that Ram and Sita had for each other is evident when they refused to respond to Shurpanaka and Ravana’s overtures respectively
-
Cultivate Patience:
Goddess Sita had endless patience. She chose to accompany Rama to the exile, giving up royal comforts to patiently endure hardships. She also waited patiently for her hero to rescue her, keeping Ravana at bay all the time.
Even when she had to prove her chastity by walking on fire, upon her return to Ayodhya, she patiently complied.
It was only finally when her sons Luv-Kush united with their father Rama, Sita could no longer bear the prospect of proving her chastity again and decided to return to Mother Earth.
-
Recognize the power (Shakti) of a woman
Diwali festivals like most other Hindu festivals show the potent Shakti that lies within every woman. From Goddess Satyabhama to Goddess Kali to Goddess Sita, women are brave, spirited and have the power to accomplish it all. Even the key protagonist in Diwali stories such as King Hima’s daughter in law shows spunk when she devises a way of saving her husband’s life and manages to pull it off.
-
Shun Deceit as it never pays
Ravana’s deceit while abducting Sita looks like a great coup but eventually led to his death. Bad Karma eventually catches up.
-
Guard against temptation, maya (illusion) and moha (attachment) always:
Sita’s first mistake of deeply desiring (moha) the golden deer led to her losing Rama’s protection from Ravana. Her second mistake was of crossing the Laxman Rekha (drawn for her safety by Laxman) responding to the illusion (maya) of giving alms to the sadhu (Raavan in disguise). These led to unending tears and struggle for Rama, Laxman and herself
Stay on the guard, one never knows which temptation, what slip up may lead to disasters. Avoid getting overly attached to material and emotional ideas as they invariably lead to sorrow.
