India is a country of so many festivals. Among them Dusshera and Diwali are the most important festivals. These festivals are celebrated throughout the country but without knowing the spiritual significance.
There are a number of practices and observances that are usually associated with it. Let us assess spiritual and philosophical meanings and people’s enthusiasm of these festivities.
A personality-portrait of Lakshmi
The word ‘Lakshmi’ is derived from the word ‘Lakshya’ or Lakshma. Both these mean: ‘The goal’. So by semantic implication, Lakshmi represents ‘the final goal’ of life. The symbols associated with her and the rituals and practices followed on the day of Deepawali, all imply that she stands for the highest stage of perfection and development, which a human soul can reach.
The Sanskrit word ‘Laksha’ stands for hundred thousand (rupees or property worth this amount) so that a person possessing wealth of this amount is called Lakshpati, and Shri Narayana, the consort of Lakshmi is called Lakshmipati. Because of phonetic closeness and similarity of meanings Lakshmi is considered ‘goddess of wealth’. However, wealth is not the only possession of Lakshmi.
Symbols associated with Lakshmi
The Symbols, associated with Shri Lakshmi clearly bring out that she represents the goal of human endeavour or perfection of human life.:
(i) Her four arms or hands signify Dharma, Arth, Kama and Mukti, i.e. the stage of Fruition or Beatitude. There is nothing left to be achieved. Health, Wealth, Virtue and Happiness are all included in this. Her ‘Abhaya Mudra’ shows the pose of assurance and safety.
(ii) The hundred-petal Lotus on which she sits is symbolic of hundred percent purity and detachment or her perfectly Sattwic stage. The hundred petal open lotus, which she holds in her right hand, is symbolic of full development. Then there are many lotus flowers shown floating in Kshira Sagar – the ocean of milk. These are symbolic of purity, peace and prosperity. Gold coins continually coming from the left hand signify un-ending material prosperity.
An interesting feature of her portraits is that, in all pictures of Shri Lakshmi, four elephants are shown pouring water on her. Four Elephants, in Indian tradition, are symbolic of the four directions-East, West, North and South. Moreover, elephant is an emblem of strength, wisdom and faithfulness to the master. It is a sign of grace and majesty. Thus, four elephants constantly pouring water, from the golden vessels, on Lakshmi – are signs of the faithfulness of all her subjects and of constant affluence. It shows her unchallenged sovereignty.
Invoking Shri Lakshmi on a pitch-dark night (Amavasya) ‘by lighting lamps and candles, is symbolic of enlightenment of the souls (when complete ignorance of Knowledge prevails in the world) so as to attain the stage of perfection or the three- fold goal of life-purity, peace and prosperity. Complete cleaning of houses and business houses in advance is indicative of the observance of complete purity. The use of four elephants, each holding a lamp on it, is symbolic of keeping in mind the goal of complete victory over the self so as to attain world sovereignty or Chakravarti Rajya in the world of sattwa, i.e. Golden Age.
Keeping the door open all night is to let knowledge, virtue and fulfilment of goal be achieved. But the pity is that people worship only Mammon on this day, forgetting God and lakshya or the goal of life. They remember Nakad Narayana (cash or money), not Shri Narayana— the goal of life. They keep the doors and windows of the house open (even running the risk of a thief coming instead of Shri Lakshmi) but they have the doors of knowledge shut!
On this Diwali time, let’s enjoy the journey. Celebrate deepawali in a spiritual way. Here we go.
While we all light our houses, do spend some time today to light a few lamps inside u and sit in silence with ur eyes closed…
Light the first lamp inside u and let it burn your anger and / or jealousy that u may have for any one till date; see it melt away…
Light the second lamp and let it burn away unwanted greed and desires… feel happy and contented with what you have been blessed with.
Light the third lamp and let it fade away all insecurities that you may have in your mind related to anything or financials; just believe that God has given u life and he will surely give you enough to survive.
Light the 4th lamp and carry that lamp to each part of ur body; let it burn away all your diseased cells or any disease in making. Feel healthy as this lamp travels to each body part and illuminates each organ.
The 5th lamp is a miniature of the Sun… nothing but the divine light… light it in the centre of your forehead of your body and let it fill the warmth and love inside your whole body…feel one with the Divine… let the love and warmth filled inside you ooze out of you through your smile… eyes.. speech… and body…. carry this love with you through out the day… u will find that everyone who meets you is happy and elated. This is the biggest blessing that whoever meets you becomes happier after meeting you… this will also make you happier in return.
Light these 5 lamps each day morning and carry the positivity wherever u go…
On this auspicious occasion of ‘ DEEPAWALI’, take a moment for deep spiritual introspection and free yourselves from the bondage of greed, the lust for power and a slave of promiscuity and make God your eternal companion for true peace, happiness and prosperity.
So, let us all irrespective of different religious faith celebrate this ‘Deepawali’ to empower yourself through process of Supreme Communion (Raja Yoga) with Him to inculcate His Supreme Commands of Universal Values to establish a “Value Based Happy Society of Culture of Peace & Non Violence” – our most cherished desire. The understanding of this eternal truth will usher in religious harmony & world peace. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University has been engaged in this task for last 82 years since its inception in 1936-37.
The writer is Faculty, Brahma Kumaris, RERF & Professor (Ex- Dean & Head), Faculty of Education, Rajiv Gandhi Central University, Itanagar; Tel: 9436042658, 8837245051
