The Diwali festival is celebrated by thousands of families across the country with great joy and with the lighting of thousands of diyas in homes, in temples and in streets. There is something deeply moving in the scene created by these lights.
This could mean giving someone facing difficulties words of encouragement; sharing our knowledge with others so that they can progress; fulfilling our responsibilities in a sincere and loving manner so that our family and community is stable. The Diwali festival has been celebrated by many generations in India and has spiritual teachings attached to it through various traditions. The most important of these traditions is that of lighting a diya (lamp) on Diwali. Light has always been revered in Indian spirituality and is often used as a synonym for knowledge, consciousness and truth. In every age and era, there have been seekers of truth and wisdom who have searched for light to dispel the darkness of ignorance and confusion. The prayer of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya – lead me from darkness to light – expresses the deep-rooted desire of humans to be enlightened. This teaching expresses the human journey towards understanding and wisdom. Thus, Diwali is the celebration of the light of knowledge, devotion and hope and is celebrated all over the country by people of all religions. A diya is simple in its form, yet rich in symbolism. It requires a vessel, oil, a wick and a flame. Each element contributes to the light that emerges. Just as a lamp requires preparation, knowledge, discipline and sustained effort to be developed, so too are the abilities of a human being to be developed and directed to most worthwhile ends. The lamp also reminds us of the value of contribution. A single lamp can be used to light many other lamps, without ever diminishing the light of the first lamp. Similarly, even the smallest of diyas can dispel the darkness of an entire room. In the same way, any act of understanding or of kindness, can bring great light to any difficult situation. Knowledge, kindness and encouragement can be shared in the same spirit, enriching the lives of others. The different phases of life are characterized by successes, responsibilities, decisions and changes that can be very challenging. Through self-awareness one can better understand his thoughts, emotions, habits and motivations. This can enable one to respond to situations in a better manner and can help to determine whether one is going in the right direction. Self-study and self-reflection have always been considered an important part of Indian philosophy and can be practiced in daily life through the practice of Svadhyaya. Regular self-study can be practiced in daily life through quiet moments of self-examination and by being aware of our actions. It is through regular reflection that we are able to respond to life’s challenges with equanimity and to recognize what is of value in our life. The wisdom within us grows through learning, through experience and through our effort to become better. Meditation can be a wonderful tool to help people become more aware of the workings of their minds and to become more attentive. certain behaviors and habits While meditating we may become aware of certain thoughts and feelings. Through practice and with proper guidance we can increase our power of concentration, our capacity for relaxation and our ability to control our emotions. Pranayama and suitable Asana can also support the practices above by preparing the body and bringing about physical comfort and by training the body for conscious breathing. The awareness we develop in our meditation can help in all aspects of our life including communication, decision making and even our interactions with others in our relationships. The joy of celebrating the festival of Diwali is experienced by people through various forms of decorations, prayers, food, gifts and more. People across the globe celebrate this festival with their loved ones and create memories that they can treasure for years to come. These spiritual teachings can be brought into our daily lives and can help us in our conduct as well. These are values which we can practice on a daily basis and by practicing them we are lighting up lamps of patience, gratitude, humility and understanding within ourselves. Thus the celebration of Diwali does not end with the burning of the lamps but continues to guide us throughout the year. May the light of Diwali illuminate every home with happiness, every mind with wisdom and every heart with compassion. Lighting a diya can be so much more than just a celebration, it can inspire us to live our lives better throughout the year. Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar , Author, Columnist, Founder: Akshar Yoga Kendraa You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.