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Divali
or Deepavali is the name given to the festival of lights. The word
itself is derived from "Deep," which bears reference to
light. Light is always received with happiness and joy, because
in light one can distinguish what is real and true from that which
is false and misguided.
A
festival of light ...
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| Lit
Diyas |
In
darkness, the realties of our existence remain unseen and one can
be mistaken in how any object is perceived, which can easily lead
to developing misconceptions. Such as, in darkness a rope may be
considered as being a snake as the truth is not seen and hence a
false impression arises. Therefore, light is always welcomed.
In
Spiritual Life ignorance represents darkness and one cannot live
in enlightenment without the direction of a Spiritual Teacher. That
is why Ayodhya (the birth place and place of abode of Lord Rama)
experienced it was in darkness while Lord Rama had been exiled for
fourteen years and celebrated his return by creating a city of lights.
The
deeper message...
The
festival will forever remain incomplete by mere celebration and
attending firework displays. One needs to be aware of the deeper
message embedded in the festival and search to understand it. Man
today, engages in litigation with his own flesh and blood for a
few hundred pounds, whereas Lord Rama and his Cousin Bharat both
sacrificed a kingdom for one another.
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| Mother
Sita |
History
tells us that they set an example of how a younger brother sacrificed
his youthful years, to serve his elder brother entering exile with
him. It also tells us how a husband and wife should live life together
in unity, in times of happiness and strife, as did Mother Sita display
with Lord Rama. We are also guided upon the principles of devotion
by the exemplary life of Shri Hanumain who displayed unwavering
faith in Lord Rama throughout his life.
The
great message ...
At
this time the Sikh Community also celebrate the release of Guru
Har Gobind Ji from Gawalior City after a period of imprisonment
together with 52 Princes. The mentioned princes were only released
on account of the sacrifice of the Great Guru.
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| Lord
Ganesha - A Hindu god |
Hence,
we see that the festival of lights should not simply be celebrated
as an annual event of merriment without learning about why we celebrate.
The Great Message of the Master Lord Rama and Guru Har Gobind Ji
must always prevail in our hearts so that we too can live and establish
a peace filled environment, following the pattern of life which
they gave to this world.
The
art of establishing such a way of life can be achieved with the
guidance of the Guru’s, through whose grace, the knowledge
of an all pervading God who is never distant from us is imparted.
It is through knowing such God that light will enter into our lives
not only at the festival of Divali but will take its residence forever.
Happy
Diwali !!!
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