It is not moths alone that are attracted to light; man is also endlessly fascinated by it. In India, faithfully following our spiritual culture, we too have a night of lights. The Pauranic tradition attributes this day to the victorious return of Krishn after killing Narakasur and the return of Ram to Ayodhya, symbolising the destruction of evil. The joyous populace illumined the entire city. That glorious state of victory over the enemies was called ‘Deepavali’ – an array of lights. Even now, on this sacred day, all over India at dusk, when darkness gathers around, homes are illuminated by lights in tiny mud pots with oil and wick.
The Light of Consciousness in individuals illumining all their apprehensions is Atman, the Self. This flaming Existence in all is dramatised by the mud pot in which we fill the oil and light the wick. Within us, the wick of the mind is supported by the oil of vasanas, unmanifest desires. The distinct flame of Existence flutters to become one with the Elemental Fire, unmanifest, when the oil of vasanas is over.
Remember the significance when you light the little mud pots that represent our bodies. As you stand in wonderment at the beauty of the rows of light everywhere, learn to feel elated at the light of divine Consciousness that flutters in the hearts of all living beings around. Harm none; respect life everywhere; and when, one by one, the lights disappear, teach yourself not to weep, but to reflect on how the manifested light disappears into the unmanifested Fire Divine.
To enjoy prosperity, peace and joy, the nation’s population must grow in their economic expansion, they must be trained and educated to live harmoniously, striving enthusiastically in all the fields of productivity. Spiritual unfoldment must be subjectively gained by each one in his own inner personality. The mighty, divine individual in each one of us must, by constant effort and watchfulness, endeavour to destroy all the negative tendencies of lust, greed, selfishness, egoism and vanity – by the cultivation of the positive qualities of love, kindness, cheerfulness, understanding, mercy and compassion.
When the individual destroys in himself all his subjective enemies and cultivates inner riches, then that personality becomes enriched in the Light of Life and becomes really a noble example that lights up the path for others to break through this world of Existence.
The tiny mud pots that are lit up on Deepavali indicate a society wherein each member is a little lamp of piety, goodness, love and mutual understanding; in such a society alone, real goodwill and enduring prosperity can be victorious.
Deepavali is a day dedicated to inner purity and noble character, dedicated to the opening of our individual hearts. Get out of your homes in the evening and embrace every other individual in society, not because they are Hindus, but because they too are small flames of the same Light Divine. Let all misgivings be forgotten, all grievances be forgiven. Let us remind ourselves, at least on this joyous day, that we can be victorious over our impulses and come to illumine – for the world around – the Lamp of Wisdom from the Land of Spiritual Light.
Swamiji is the founder of Chinmaya Mission