Digging Deeper on Diwali Celebrations
The beauty of our Vedic Scriptures is that they can be read and re-read and each time, a different understanding would dawn upon us, not to forget the happiness derived. Vedic language is full of metaphors, symbolism and deep meanings which makes it all the more interesting to read it time and again. And as we delve deeper, we unlock higher levels of understanding and pleasure. But our scriptures don’t just give us entertainment through their amazing storytelling, replete with action, drama, thrill, tragedy and humor but also impart life lessons at every step, essentially enlighten us
This implies that the stories they tell are not only limited to the particular characters of the story, but is applicable to our daily lives as well. The characters are real (not mythology, as per some prejudiced beliefs) and are symbolic representations of life situations that we face at present. For example, the questions Arjuna asks to Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita can be the questions of any man who thinks about life and its realities a bit deeply.
Bhagavad Gita describes the hierarchy of self — superior to dull matter are senses, superior to senses is mind, then intelligence. On top of all sits the soul. When we forget our identity as the soul, servant of Lord and want to enjoy independent of Lord, we let these vices control us. Thus, we act like a demon.
Deepavali is a festival for celebration because Lord Ramachandra is returning home from exile after killing the embodiment of all vices — Ravana. Everyone is very happy, cleaning the city, lighting up Diyas and doing their best to welcome the Lord back. That accounts for the massive cleaning operation everyone does in their home on this occasion, symbolising inviting Lord to our homes.
Everyone of us might not have palatial homes. But we don’t need to worry. We can invite Lord Ramachandra to come and reside in our hearts. But for that, we need to make space for Him. Our Hearts (Consciousness) are dirty, full of all sorts of garbage. Cleaning our hearts means killing the vices of Ego, Anger, Greed, Injustice, Pride, Anger, Lust, Jealousy, Attachment and Cruelty symbolised by the 10 heads of Ravana. If we analyse deeply, we will find these vices inhabiting us, terrorising us and forcing us on the wrong paths like Mini Ravanas. The unending pursuit for power, satisfaction of our own senses, insensitivity towards others pain, symbolises Ravana and form the basis of thinking and philosophy of life, essentially our characteristics. When we kill these vices, which is symbolised by Lord Rama killing Ravana, only then will Lord Rama come and reside in our hearts.
Lord Rama coming back to Ayodhya was the beginning of all auspiciousness. Everyone became prosperous and happy beyond compare. Rama Rajya is still praised in the society today and people want it back because everyone was happy and there was no fear, calamity, disease, hunger, poverty of any type. But we forget the centre point, Lord Ramachandra. Ayodhya was the best of the places because of the personal presence of Lord Ramachandra and every citizen being Rama Conscious and extremely devoted to Him. Similarly the coming of Lord Rama in our hearts and lives can invoke all sorts of goodness and positivity.
Albert Einstein says we can’t solve a problem with the same intellect with which we have caused it. Simply speaking, we don’t have the power to eliminate these anarthas (unwanted elements) by ourselves. Therefore, in this festival of Diwali, we should pray to Lord Ramachandra to please kill the Ravana within us and come to reside in our hearts.
