Illuminating the inner self

Hindus all over the world will celebrate Deepavali tomorrow:

By Panchamee HEWAVISSENTI

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The present day sociologists say that the period from September till December experiences the North-East monsoon in several areas in South Asia. Therefore, the gloomy atmosphere prevails during that period with thunder showers. So, in the ancient days lamps were lit even before the sunset to overcome darkness, and later it became a celebration called Deepavali.

Deepavali is also known as the ‘Festival of Lights ‘ which is celebrated by the Hindus all over the world in the month of Karthigai which falls during late October or early November. Deepavali, literally meaning the “rows of lighted lamps”, is considered one of the most important festivals in which the main aspect is to light lamps to praise and thank God for the happiness, peace , wealth and the knowledge granted on the immortals.Hindus wake up early in the morning on the Deepavali day and the first ritual is to perform an oil bath. Then, they would clad in new clothes, usually in bright colours, but never in black because they believe that black is inauspicious. There are several rituals; among which paying respect to elders, going to temples after breakfast, children firing crackers and visiting one another are most widely practised.

Legends

There’re many legends related to Deepavali, although the story of Narakasur is widely acknowledged. Narakasur was a demon king who used to torture the dwellers in the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Especially women were abducted and imprisoned in his kingdom. Afflicted villagers had no salvation but to complain their desolation to Lord Krishna. Then Lord Krishna decided to declare war against the demon king in order to safeguard the dwellers. As the demon lay dying, he begged mercy from Lord Krishna and asked him permission to make a last request. The demon king finally accepted that ultimately virtues would triumph over evil and asked people to celebrate the victory of virtues over evil by lighting lamps on the day that Lord Krishna destroyed Narakasur. In order to commemorate that incident, people used to light lamps on Deepavali day.

It is believed that King Rama returned to Ayodya after defeating King Rawana on a Deepavali day. Deepavali is also celebrated to commemorate the marriage of Sri Laxmi to Lord Vishnu.

Spiritual illumination

During Deepavali, Hindus light small clay lamps called Diyas. Though the message of Deepavali - “from darkness to light” is literally depicted by lighting lamps to extinguish darkness, the real meaning of lighting lamps is to illuminate the inner-self. The real meaning of Deepavali is to eliminate inner darkness and enlighten it so that the person is able to be closer to God- the hidden essence of all manifestations. God- realization should be acquired through self-realization. By renunciation of all desires springing from the ignorance which separates the person from the divine spirit.

Lord Krishna, the finest example

If the person is well aware of himself, it is easier for him to attain the state of God-realization. Some people have that false notion that the only way to God -realization and attaining spiritual ecstasy is by renouncing the world and the environment he lives in. Lord Krishna’s life demonstrates the philosophy that it’s not necessary to flee the responsibilities of the material life; the person can be with God, wherever the person dwells irrespective of the environment.

It is acceptable that where the temptations are reigned it’s difficult for a person to attain the total illumination of the mind. A grasping for more and more wealth, and worldly attachment or blindness will hinder achieving the aforementioned spiritual goal. Yet, the mere renunciation of material things, if the person still keeps attachments to the worldly temptations, would only lead to hypocrisy and delusion. One has to avoid those two pitfalls; renunciation of the worldly things and indulge deeply in worldly attachments and sentiments.

A person can perform the necessary dutiful activities of his daily life while maintaining the consciousness of God within. That’s the example set by Lord Krishna.

The path advocated by Sri Krishna is explicitly depicted in Bhagawad Gita, one of the greatest epics of Hindus, as a perfect answer for the modern age man. It is a moderate, medium and golden path; both for the busy man and for the highest spiritual aspirant. We hear of saintly ascetics in the secluded forests who renunciated the material life. Just imagine, if all the people in the world were to leave their abodes and live in the jungle haunts, the jungles will turn into cities and the inhabitants will die of lack of living conditions.

Psychological battle within the self

On the other hand, this material world is full of attachments and evils and life is often beaten by miserable incidents. Winning the spiritual and psychological battle which is going on within the self is hard because with the physical and mental development of the person, he is driven by the temptations and desires of the world. Once bad habits, behaviour and attitudes are established in a person, it is hard to drive them off.

This is because person is tempted and the wisdom is banished from the soul. Unilluminated soul, the blind mind produces evil forces by which the person is controlled.

Such a mind would be an abode for the malevolences such as material desire, anger, greed, avarice, hostility, wickedness, jealousy, lust, dishonesty, meanness, selfishness, arrogance, swollen-headedness, impudence, laziness impurity of the body and the mind, lack of foresight, too much sleeping, dissatisfactions etc.

These evils only bring about sickness and mental upheavals.

The awakened and the self-controlled soul will have a resplendent and peaceful mind with health and wisdom in abundance.

As the diyas which are lit during Deepavali eliminate darkness and illuminate the world, let your soul be illuminated by the spiritual ecstasy by eliminating evil to attain supreme bliss within the self.