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Friday, Dec 8 2023
DEEPAVALI
Purpose:
Deepavali, also known as the 'festival of lights' is
celebrated by Indians around the world. This festival
is celebrated on the 15th day of the dark phase of the
lunar cycle in the Indian month of Kartik, which usually
falls in October or November.
Lighting of lamps with one source of flame represents
the spread of light from the Source. The light with
which other lamps are lit is a symbol of the Divine.
It is to teach this Truth to men that this festival
is observed.
The festival is celebrated to remind people the meaning
behind the light. Darkness represents ignorance while
light represents knowledge. In another context, light
represent goodness while darkness represents badness.
Thus, the lighting of lamps signifies the triumph of
goodness over badness.
Story
relating to the festival:
There is an interesting legend behind this festival.
The story goes that Narakasura, a demon, ruled the kingdom
of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered
a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and
kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace.
Seeing his wickedness, Lord Krishna set out to destroy
the demon. The day Narakasura died was celebrated as
Deepavali, the triumph of good over evil!
This story of Narakasura has a deep inner meaning to
it. Narakasura worked freely with his emotions and passions
and that desire brought him to his end. Therefore, we
must learn to face the six enemies of man, namely, lust,
anger, attachment, pride, hatred, greed - and be a man,
Nara, not Narakasura, who holds on to these six foes
and tries to pacify them by yielding to their demands.
Swami's message on Deepavali:
The lamp is not merely the symbol of the knowledge
of truth. It is also the symbol of the one, the Aathma
that shines in and through all the multiplicity. Just
as with one lamp, a thousand lamps can be lit and the
one is as bright as ever in spite of the thousands deriving
light from it, so too, the Aathma (soul), illumines
the Jeeva (individual self) and shines in and through
them, without undergoing any diminution in its splendor.
- Discourse of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Prashanthi Nilayam,
25 Oct 1973
What is the inner significance of the slaying of Narakasura?
'Narah' means the immortal Atmic principle. When the
qualities of an asura (demon) enter nara (man), he becomes
Narakasura. In such a person, you find only bad qualities
and evil feelings. He does not join the company of the
noble. He does not make efforts to reach God. He makes
friendship with only wicked people. Such a mentality
is the consequence of evil deeds over a number of births.
- Discourse of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, 4 Nov 2002
Therefore, hundreds of tiny lamps are lit this evening
and kept in rows before and within every home in India;
but, few are the lamps that are lit in the cavity of
the heart to destroy the darkness that lies thick within.
- Discourse of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Prashanthi Nilayam,
25 Oct 1973
How is the Festival celebrated
in India:
Homes are cleaned and old things are discarded usually
a month before the festival. Everyone wears new clothes
on this day and people visit temples to pray. Friends
and relatives visit each others homes and exchange gifts.
Homes are decorated with numerous lights making the
houses look bright and beautiful. A whole line of sparklers
and fireworks are lit along the roads and homes in all
of India during this auspicious day making it a really
unforgettable sight.
How is the Festival celebrated in Singapore:
In Singapore, the roads of Serangoon Road, also known
as "Little India", are decorated with huge
banners wishing all Indians a "Happy Deepavali".
This day, being a public holiday, would have many shops
closed for the day. People visit temples in the morning
and visit relatives and friends during the day. In every
home there is bound to be a tempting spread of sweets.
Some of the popular sweets are halwa, burfi and laddu.
Towards the evening, houses are lit with oil lamps or
even lighted bulbs.
Jai Sai Ram
Bro Vinod Selvam
SSEHV Group 3
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