Diwali: The Festival of Light

An invitation to discover the light within

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of India’s most cherished festivals. Its name comes from the Sanskrit words Deepa (lamp) and Avali (row), meaning a row of lights.

Celebrated across India in different ways, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

There are several stories associated with the festival, reflecting India’s rich spiritual and cultural traditions:

• The return of Lord Rama: In the Ramayana, people of Ayodhya welcomed Rama, Sita and Lakshmana home after fourteen years of exile and Rama’s victory over Ravana, lighting rows of oil lamps to celebrate their return.

• The victory of Lord Krishna: In another tradition, Diwali commemorates Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness over evil.

• The worship of Goddess Lakshmi: Diwali is also celebrated as a time to honour Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, prosperity and auspiciousness, inviting grace and well-being into our homes and lives.

While these stories have their own significance, they also invite us to look beyond the external celebration and turn inward.

The Light Within: An Advaitic Reflection

In Advaita Vedanta, darkness can be understood as Avidya — ignorance of our true nature. It is the mistaken identification of ourselves with the body, mind, thoughts, emotions and changing experiences of life.

We often spend our lives trying to remove darkness by changing our external circumstances. Yet Advaita points us towards a deeper understanding: the Self, our essential nature, is never truly darkened. It is the ever-present awareness in whose light all experiences are known.

Perhaps, then, Diwali is also an invitation to turn inward, to enquire into who we truly are, and to recognize the light that has never been absent.

A Moment of Self-Reflection

As you light a lamp this Diwali, take a few moments of silence and contemplate these questions:

⚪️ Thoughts: Can I shine the light of awareness on my thoughts, beliefs and inner narratives, observing them without automatically believing or identifying with them?

⚪️ Desires and attachments: What desires, expectations or attachments are creating restlessness within me? Can I bring awareness to them without judgement or resistance?

⚪️ Emotional reactions: When anger, jealousy, fear, hurt or resentment arise, can I pause and observe these movements of the mind rather than react unconsciously?

⚪️ Patterns of identification: Where am I defining myself through my roles, relationships, achievements or experiences? Can I enquire into what remains beyond these changing identities?

⚪️ The light of awareness: Rather than trying to change or improve everything about myself, can I turn inward and recognize the ever-present awareness in which all thoughts, emotions and experiences arise?

A DIWALI PRAYER

May the light of wisdom dispel the darkness of ignorance.

May discernment guide our thoughts, compassion guide our actions, and equanimity guide our responses.

May we turn inward, enquire deeply, and recognize the eternal light of the Self.

Wishing you all a beautiful Diwali ✨

See you in Satsang!

The Nataraj Seva Team
team@natarajkutir.org