It is important to let go of our vices to truly enjoy the festival of Diwali, says Rajyogi Brahmkumar Nikunj
The biggest and the brightest of all festivals celebrated across India as well as whole world is almost here to fill our lives with joy and happiness. Such is the magic of Diwali, that the four-day celebrations literally illuminates the whole nation. Though each of the four days of Diwali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, enjoyment and goodness.
We all know that as per the Hindu calender, Diwali is celebrated on the darkest night of the month of Kartik. That is why it is also considered as an occasion of victory of light over darkness or good over evil. Kartik month is the eighth lunar month of the Hindu calendar. This month is considered the holiest of all the months in the Hindu calendar. Kartik snaan (bath) is given a lot of importance by Hindus wherein it is customary for people to go to the holy rivers or oceans because it is a general belief that your sins or bad karmas are washed away or forgiven when you perform this ritual, but all this is only symbolic.
However, Kartik literally means change or transformation from the old to the new. It is the last festival of the year that is celebrated as the conquest of the virtues over the vices by ‘bathing in the ocean of knowledge’ that is ‘gyaan Ganga’ to cleanse the soul of all impurities that it has accumulated in the dark ages. It is thus a unique process to change a man (nar) from an ordinary being to an elevated perfect man or deity called ‘Narayan.’
Going by the history, the festival of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends related to the origin of Diwali or Deepawali. Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of lakshmi with lord Vishnu. Whereas in some parts of the country the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. Diwali also commemorates the return of lord Rama along with Sita and lakshman from his 14-year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. Hence, in joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.
In this way, each day of Diwali has its own tale, legend and myth to tell, but one should not forget that behind each of these legend, myth and story lies the significance of the victory of good over evil and it is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope. So, this Diwali let us enlighten ourself from within.