ILLUMINATE YOUR SOUL

He who Himself sees all but whom no one beholds, who illumines the intellect, the sun, the moon and the stars and the whole universe but whom they cannot illumine, He indeed is Brahman, He is the inner Self. Celebrate the real Deepavali by living in Brahm

Deepavali is the biggest and the brightest of all Indian festivals. Etymologically, Deep means “light” and avali “a row” to become “a row of lights”. So Deepavali is celebrated as the festival of lights.

As per the legend of Lord Rama, Deepavali signifies the victory of good over evil. The lights of Deepavali warrant us to commit ourselves to the good and bring us closer to the Divine light. The fiveday festival also attempts to bring a shift in one’s consciousness. Dhan Teras, the first day of Deepavali occurs on Ashwin, the lunar month in September/October and in its Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight. The Deepavali days end on the second day of the Kartik month in Shukla Paksha or bright fortnight. Thus, Deepavali is the shift between the Waning Moon or “Dark Fortnight” to the Waxing Moon or “Bright Fortnight”; from Dark to Light. During this five-day period, the universe beholds the “shift”. We light lamps and diyas during Deepavali to symbolically represent the movement of nature and the significance of this subtle, spiritual phenomenon.

Deepavali is not a just a cultural or religious festival. It is a spiritual opportunity for enlightenment. Ravana represented the dark creational energies while Lord Rama signified divine existential energies. When the energy of knowledge and consciousness prevailed over that of ignorance and darkness, Deepavali happened. In that era, it was a shift of consciousness. You may celebrate Deepavali by bursting crackers or lighting lamps or dancing away to glory, but Deepavali is not just a mere festival. It is an opportunity provided by the Universe for you to transition from the Creational dimension to an Existential one. If you are willing and aware, you can undergo this momentous spiritual transition.

My dear readers, I wish that you would be graced to celebrate Deepavali in its truest sense and spirit. Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul and undergoing the shift. I wish all of you a blissful Deepavali!