Swami Chinmayananda

[Guest guest]

An excellent note on Deepavali by Swami Chinmayananda. Please read and enjoy.

 

On this Deepavali, sharing a message from Swami Chinmayananda - something that

you may have read already but is an ever-green one. (please try to circulate as

many people as you can)

 

Deepavali is, the Celebration of Lights. In the tradition of almost all the

countries of the world, we have a corresponding celebration. In the modern

times, instead of the religious Festival of Lights, we have the celebrations of

the Republic Day, the Independence Day etc., where the main factor is to

illumine all the public buildings and institutions. It is indeed, a fact that it

is not the moths alone that are attracted by lights; .but man is also endlessly

fascinated by Lights. Even in the Communist countries, based upon the human

enchantment for lights, they have torch-light marches to express their protests

or to applaud their heroes. In India, faithfully following our spiritual

culture, we too have a night of lights called Deepavali (Deep=light, avali =

row). The Puranic tradition attributes this day to the victorious return of

Krishna, after killing Narakaasura—the destruction of Evil and the victorious

Celebration of Lights.

 

The Light of Consciousness in the bosom of individuals, illumining all their

apprehensions is Atman, the Self. The flaming Existence in the bosom of all, is

dramatized by the clay saucer in which the Hindu fills the oil and lights the

wick. He decorates his home and streets with the rows of such naked individual

spots of lights.

 

In our bosom, the wick of the mind is maintained by the oil of vasanas

(unmanifest desires). When the oil of vasanas is over, the distinct flame of

Existence flutters, to become one with the Elemental Fire (unmanifest). Remember

the significance, when you light the little clay saucers, which our bodies are.

Keep in your mind, the significance of the oil and the wick. As you stand in

wonderment at the beauty of the rows of lights everywhere, learn to feel elated

at the Light of the 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, how the

manifested light disappears into the unmanifested Fire Divine.

 

Explain this in simpler forms to your children, on this sacred day, when they

have finished with their fire-works. Introduce them to Life and its glories.

Take as examples, the flower that fades, the leaf that falls off, the plant that

withers, or the dog or the cat that might have died at home. Guide them to

realize that this Life is One in all forms of existence, the plants, the animals

and the human beings. If you can bring reverence to them for Life you have given

them the beginning of their spiritual education.

 

With love and prayers for you and yours!