For an oil lamp to burn, the wick has to be partially immersed in the oil. If the wick is completely drowned in oil, it cannot bring light. Life is like the wick of the lamp. You have to be in the world and yet remain untouched by it. If you are drowning in materialism, you cannot have joy and knowledge in your life. By being in the world, yet not drowning in the worldly aspect of it, we can be the light of happiness and wisdom.
Diwali is a time to feel our connection with the entire cosmos. In this creation, the macrocosm and microcosm are interlinked. There is one consciousness present in everything, every living being and every object. We are part of a Samashta Jeevan, which means that an individual is connected to the whole universe and all its life forms. Birds, animals and life in all forms need to be honoured in this interdependent world. When we care for nature, nature cares for us. It completes us.
This connection must find expression in our actions. As you celebrate Diwali, take a sankalpa (intention) to serve this creation. One of the most divine expressions is to plant a tree. We need to plant more trees, take care of our water resources and save the earth from harmful chemicals and fertilizers that enter the soil and eventually find their way into our bodies. We also need to take care of the people around us. While cooking, take out one handful of grains every day and, once a week or a month, sit with those less privileged than you. Sing and chant, share wisdom with them and feed them. It is said that two to three hundred years ago, there was not a single poor or hungry person in India. Once again, we must resurrect that spirit and take this country to that place. We should all work towards this.
Life without joy, a heart without compassion, a mind without imagination, and an intellect without intuition is incomplete. Life is joy, life is love and life is celebration. Celebration happens when everyone comes together in wisdom and happiness. Do you feel like you belong to this whole world? This realization, ‘I belong to the whole universe’, gives you an insight into something so stupendous and magnificent. Diwali is the commemoration of that light of wisdom in our lives.
Every human being has some good qualities, and every lamp that you light is symbolic of this. Some people have forbearance; some have love, strength and generosity, while others have the ability to unite people. The latent values in you are like a lamp. Don’t be satisfied with lighting just one lamp; light a thousand! You need to light many lamps to dispel the darkness of ignorance. By lighting the lamp of wisdom in yourself and acquiring knowledge, you awaken all facets of your being. When they are lit and awakened, it is Diwali.
For the one who does not have spiritual knowledge, Diwali comes only once a year, but for the wise, Diwali is every moment and every day. Even if one member of the family is living in darkness, you cannot be happy. You need to ignite the light of wisdom in every member of your
family, extend it to every member of society and every person on the planet. When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration.
While being involved in daily activities, we do get upset with each other. We get angry or frustrated with others. But how long can you burn in that fire of negative emotions? Diwali is a time to drop the past and start afresh. Drop the regrets of the past and the worries of the future, and live in the moment. It is the time to throw light on the wisdom you have gained and welcome a new beginning.
Celebration is the nature of the spirit. The ancient sages brought sacredness into every celebration so that we do not lose our focus in the hustle and bustle of activity. Observing rituals and religious practices is simply showing one’s gratitude to the Divine. This brings depth to the celebration.
The tradition is to put all the wealth you have earned in front of you and feel the abundance. When you feel lack, the lack grows, but when you put your attention on abundance, abundance grows. In the Arthashastra, Chanakya says, “Dharmasya Moolam Arthah”, which means prosperity is the root of righteousness.
Diwali is also a time for sharing gifts and distributing sweets. There is a beautiful symbolism in this tradition. Sweets dispel bitterness and renew friendships. In life, we sometimes hold on to misunderstandings and unpleasant experiences. But when we come together with a sense of belongingness, all these differences dissolve. A gift is an expression of love and sharing. It is not the value of what you give, but the feeling with which you give it that matters. Let this Diwali be an occasion to reach out to people, mend relationships and bring sweetness into every interaction. When you share joy, it multiplies. When you bring a smile to someone’s face, you light another lamp. This is the spirit of celebration.
The Yajurveda says, “Tanme Manaha Shivasankalpam astu” which means, let noble intentions flow from this mind. This Diwali, take an intention to serve humanity, light the lamp of love in your heart and feel grateful and abundant for all that you have been bestowed with.
Today, we need to globalize wisdom. People of various cultures, religions and nationalities will have to come together and realize that we are part of one human family. Let us, on this auspicious occasion of Diwali, resolve to unite people in love and celebration, spread peace and bring prosperity to society. Let the light we kindle within us reach every home and every heart.