Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Since the Treta Yuga, Diwali is celebrated as the day Lord Ram returned home after 14 years when he annihilated Ravana. When we look into it, this one event is pregnant with so much meaning and wisdom.
We keep wandering throughout our lives until we reach home. In this forest of life, our soul wanders through 14 bhuvanas or realms- Satya, Tapa, Jana, Mahar, Svar, Bhuvar, Bhur, Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala and then returns home to get established in the Self. This is the true homecoming.
Ayodhya represents the body and when the atman is established here in the Self, we have Diwali. So if you see it from a spiritual point of view, attaining self-knowledge signifies Diwali. When you know who you are when you are centred, then every day is Diwali. For those who are not in knowledge, Diwali comes once a year but for the seekers, every day is Diwali, a celebration. Our scriptures say, the day saints and seers come to our home is the day we celebrate Diwali. Without wisdom, there is no celebration. Otherwise, you may have everything outside of you but if the mind is still filled with pain, doubt, indecision, craving or aversion then where is Diwali? The realization that life is impermanent is Diwali; the light of knowledge being ignited within us is Diwali.
This day we also acknowledge all the different types of wealth that we have in life. Just buying some silver and gold coins is not Diwali. When we consider life itself as wealth then we become grateful. And to feel grateful in life is the greatest wealth. Without a Guru, without wisdom in life, there is no wealth. When you consider everything- all the five elements, every form of life, all the love and wisdom, your very life force as wealth, then there is no greed. Now you can either get rid of greed or you can make it bigger. Increase your greed for bigger things in life, increase your greed for doing more for others. Then your life gets filled with abundance and contentment dawns in life.
Our life is like a lamp. Just burning an oil lamp is not celebrating Diwali. Become light yourself. Rishi Patanjali has said murdhojyoti siddha darshanam- when you become aware of the light within you then you encounter perfection. Then your inner light will guide others on the path to freedom. On a deeper level, when the inner light shines through, the world glows in its glory. This is what makes knowledge so special. It is said that all the angels rejoice when even one soul finds liberation, and finds its true nature is light. This Diwali, light this lamp of knowledge, be happy, be blissful and share your happiness with others. Put all the bitterness, dislike, and complexities aside, and rejoice in your true nature.
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