A message of Deepawali...

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http://www.omshaantih.com/Kedar/Diwali/Diksha.htm

Deepawali Contribution by Swami

Dikshananda SaraswatiArya Samaj, Delhi, India

The following article was written on 17-10-1978

Om asato ma sadgamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrityor ma amritam gamaya.

Lead us from falsehood to truth; from Darkness to light; from Death to

immortality and from Lethargy to Activity...

The message of Deepawali

According to the Vedic culture, the message of Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya

(from darkness unto light) is given through the festival of Deepawali

to all peoples of the world. During the night of Deepawali the

myriads of little clay lamps (dias) seem to silently send forth

Deepawali messages: Come let us remove darkness from the face of the

earth. This is not the work to be done by one dia or by one

individual. It requires collective effort. In the diffusion of light

the question of high and low is forgotten. This is the lesson taught

by both small and big dias.

The second message of the burning dias is to destroy the difference

between rich and poor- the destruction of discrimination based on

poverty and wealth. The burning dia, whether in a palatial bungalow

or in a grass hut, is a symbol of this unity. The wall of separation

based on economic status cannot prevent the penetration and spread of

the light of the dia.

The third message of the burning diias of Deepawali is to kindle the

extinguished lights of our neighbours. Let us find out what is

needed- whether there is a shortage of wick or oil- and just by a

little help the neighbour’s lamps can be lit. One dia can light

several others. A little charity can bring joy to countless others.

The row of lamps teach yet another lesson and that is of unity as

exemplified in Satyam, Shivam Sundaram- Truth, Joy and Beauty.

The lights of Deepavali are displayed at the entrance doors, by the

walls of houses, in the streets and lanes. This means that the inner

spiritual light of the individual must be reflected outside.

Passersby may thereby be prevented from stumbling on their way to

reach their destination.

The lights of the dias on earth beckon the lights in the firmaments to

descend upon earth and establish the heavenly kingdom of God for the

welfare of the human race.

Feeding empty stomachs, lighting blown-out dias and providing cheer

and joy amongst the downtrodden is to enter the true spirit of

Deepavali. This is the true prayer to Lakshmi Devi.

http://www.hinduism.co.za/deepaval.htm