Diwali is a festival of lights, a festival to mark the victory of good over evil and destruction of the darkness of ignorance by the light of knowledge. Jyoti, being the feminine aspect of the creation, is worshipped in the female form of Goddess Lakshmi who brings peace, prosperity, good health etc. Lighting of the lamp during Diwali signifies the original light in its purest state. Light (fire) purifies everything in this creation. Nothing can remain impure once it is put in the fire. Similarly, our minds cannot remain impure with negativity, enmity, jealousy or hatred once the divine light is lit in our hearts.
Divine light denotes atma gyan. The light of atma gyan (knowledge of self) needs to be rekindled in our hearts for it to destroy the darkness of ignorance, to destroy enmity and attract peace, prosperity, health and happiness in our life.
The death of Ravana at the hands of Lord Ram only signifies that the rakshas sitting in our head and spreading adharma, violence, enmity, hatred, ego, misdeeds can be killed by the light of atma gyan (Rama signifies pure atma). Under the light of atma gyan, we are completely peaceful and blissful from within. We are always positive, helping and ready to sacrifice. When there are no negative energies operating from within ourselves then, automatically, our physical bodies are healthy, prosperity is attracted and every day becomes an auspicious day and no enemy (neither inner nor outer) is likely to ever attack us.
Lord Krishna too has said this in the Bhagwad Gita: “Oh Arjuna! As the fire destroys all kinds of fuels without any distinction, the fire of knowledge (atma gyan) destroys all kinds of karma without any distinction.
Atma gyan can be acquired only by surrendering at the feet of a guru and once the inner light of atma gyan is ignited, we must ensure that it remains lit forever. May this Diwali be an occasion to ignite your inner light of atma gyan and provide you all with peace, health, harmony, prosperity, loads of happiness and eternal bliss.
Sri Rameshji is a modern age spiritual guru and founder of Poorna Ananda, a centre for spiritual evolution and joyful living.
Visit www.poornaananda.org
