Let there be Light: A Message on Deepavali

In the beginning there was chaos and darkness and God said, “Let there be light” and there was light (Gen 1:1-4). Light destroys the darkness. Today the whole country irrespective of religions celebrates the festival of light, called the ‘Deepavali’ or ‘Diwali’. The word ‘Deepavali’ means the chain of burning lights. It is the festival of light. This day as the sun sets in, after paying obeisance to the Almighty, the lights preferably the earthen ones (diyas) are lit and celebration kicks in. Fire crackers are burst, sweets are distributed and people dance to their heart’s content.

The scripture tells us that the people kept awake lighting lamps in the streets and homes to welcome Rama after defeating Ravan. The event was no less than any festal occasion. Thus, the day of defeat over evil is celebrated as deepavali.

Light signifies divine or at least something positive in all the cultures. When a lamp is lit in a dark place it enlightens the whole area and dispels the dark. Darkness symbolizes all that is negative – ignorance, wickedness, violence, oppression, injustice, fear, lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion, desire, jealousy, etc. The glorious or victorious entry of the divine into our life after defeating evil is portrayed in the festival of Deepavali. In other words, it is sacred conquering over the profane.

Today’s world has become a materialistic one. The place of divine is taken over by the consumerist behaviour. Sacred and holiness have become least bothered item instead of primary goal of life. People want to sell out their product more than bringing people to the real divine experience or binding together. Deepavali is identified with artificial lights, polluting crackers and sound, than nature friendly homemade clay diyas, oil and wick and homemade food and sweets.

The real Deepavali should be the expression of internal peace, joy and brotherhood. Our biggest enemy is not the other but the self (I or ego). First and foremost I must conquer myself and kill all my internal enemies. These enemies are desires, lust, anger, envy, illusion, jealousy etc. Often we are blind towards others may be at the religious beliefs, social practices, economic conditions, political views, cultural diversities, etc. If one’s religion allows one to look down upon the other whatever the situation may, then it is not a religion at all. Religion by its very definition is binding (re-ligare) or accommodating. The accommodation is possible only when one kills one’s ego and conquers one’s self. This conquering of self brings internal peace, joy and brotherhood and then only the celebration of Deepavali has a meaning.

Real Deepavali liberates the bonded ones. Ignorance is the cause of every misery. Ignorance of education is what destroys the real development. Today we are focusing on consumerist education than on the value based, morally upright education. Educating every members of the family should be the first priority of all. Investing one’s resources on education is a guaranteed cheque of the future. The lack of proper education forces the people to work as bonded labour. When every member of the family is educated both in letter and spirit is indeed the Deepavali in their life. Liberation is also sought not only by those people who are suffering due to various kinds of injustice, cruelty, bonded labour, addictions, etc. but also their household people who either depend on them or part of their life. With the waywardness and suffering in such situations can they celebrate a meaningful Deepavali?

Some learned millionaires celebrate Deepavali with pomp and glory but in reality without bhakti. The actual devotion to God is nil, but show is more. There are people living outside their bunglows hardly with any clothes to wear and food eat hoping for few bread crumbs to fall from their table. India has in reality enough to feed and clothe every citizen but not to the greed of some people. Can Deepavali be a meaningful event to such people?

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Light”. Can each one of us who light a lamp on this day of festival take a resolution that ‘I shall be the way, the truth and light’ to a person living in darkness. Let each one of us according to our capacity be a Samaritan to the needy. There are millions of people who have hardly seen light in their life. They are the people living in slums, old-age homes, asylums, child-care homes, hostels, hospitals, the rape victims, the marginalized, the widows of the brave soldiers who laid their life for our tomorrow, the people affected by injustice of the situation in various circumstances, etc. They are waiting to celebrate this festival in their life. Can I lovingly share my one morsel of food with them and wish them Happy Deepavali? Let this Deepavali be a meaningful and different one for us all. Let the light we lit bring liberation, decorations meaning, presents be sharing of success, fire-crackers burn evils, sweets sweeten the achievements, and worship thank God.

Happy Deepavali.

 
Fr. Raju Felix Crasta