07th Nov, 2021
So, the Five day festival of Diwali has gone as suddenly as it had arrived.
Wasn’t preparing for the festival more exciting than the festival itself ?
The planning for gifts, cleaning the house, anticipation of the card parties, getting new clothes, sharing and giving, buying the Diyas, getting the Puja thali ready, and all the preparation before the actual celebration…
As I sit back this Sunday morning and prepare for the ‘back to grind routine’,
I recollect myself and my loved ones laughing, but Friends and extended family have now gone, making promises to meet again soon.
The sweets, the dry fruit and cakes have now been stored away to be served with tea,
The clothes and Jewellery that made their grand appearance, have been put away for the next big occasion.
The winnings & losses at the annual cards sessions are still being tabulated never to be tallied.
As all the festivities slowly recede into the distance and we get ready to get back to the daily routine; I sat wondering what this festival actually means to me apart from the celebration with family and friends; and I found the possible answer in a blog I was reading yesterday, where I came across a beautiful couplet from Sant Kabir –
‘जब मैं था तब हरी नहीं, अब हरी है मैं नाही,
सब अँधियारा मिट गया, दीपक देखा माही |’
(That when I was immersed in my ego and arrogance, I could not see God, the supreme power, But when I illuminated the lamp of knowledge within myself, all darkness of ignorance vanished, ego went away, and I found God in the light of knowledge.)
It was then that I realised, that the auspicious occasion of Diwali, is actually an opportunity to illuminate within yourself – and around you – the lamp of knowledge so that the darkness of ignorance vanishes, ego and arrogance goes away, and one finds the true self in that light of knowledge.
Diwali is also an occasion to find peace amidst the noise all around by lighting your own “inner light” and using it as your guide to light the lamp of gratitude, love, abundance, compassion, empathy and knowledge in your heart, to serve yourself, to serve others, and to dispel any darkness around you.
Hence, even though the Five days of this wonderful festival have ended, Let’s all take a pledge & make a promise.
That in our heart, we will let the lights remain,
That we will continue to share and care,
That we will continue the pledge of giving,
That the bonhomie, the sharing & caring with the family, friends & even strangers on the street will be everlasting,
That the donations that we made and gifts that we gave will continue to please us till the next big occasion.
That in spirit and being, our celebrations will continue,
That we will attempt to call and meet our loved ones a little more often, and that the laughter that came in abundance the last few days, will make an appearance every day.
That we will celebrate life and make every day of our life a special occasion and will not wait till the next big occasion to celebrate,
That we will continue on the journey to enlighten ourselves and spread the light of knowledge.
Hence, here’s wishing everyone a happy festive spirit & Lots of love and laughter all the year round and not only on festivals and special occasions like Diwali.
May God bless everyone with celebrations the entire year round.
Stay Blessed forever.