4 Dimensions of Diwali - By Sri Preethaji

4 Dimensions of Diwali - By  Sri Preethaji 

Diwali as a festival has a divine dimension, a playful dimension, a relationship dimension and an ecological dimension. It is as much a celebration of lights as it is a celebration of wealth. It is on this day that Mahalakshmi is supposed to have emerged from the ocean of milk with a lotus in her hand And Vishnu claimed her as his wife. 

Lakshmi the goddess of prosperity is known to visit places that are bright and clean. And is known to walk away from places that are dingy. That is why over centuries we light lamps at the entrance of our homes as an invitation to Lakshmi  

What most people do not know is that Lakshmi is also a joyful goddess and is attracted to spaces where hearts are joyful  to give her blessings of abundance. 

Diwali Also has a relationship dimension.  it is a time when siblings honour each other’s presence in their lives. For most of you, your siblings would have been your first Playmates isn’t it?

Siblings embody a fragment of our parents. They possess within them the affection and strength of a father and the immeasurable love of a mother. Many times we also see they carry with them the trust of a friend.

Over the years it is possible each of you has got engrossed in your own family troubles. Diwali is a reminder to step away from all this tumult of life and reconnect to each other with love. You bless each other for a long and a beautiful life of happiness. 

Diwali also has an ecological dimension. It was not created to pollute the air and earth with fire crackers. 

The south of India has a very interesting story for why Diwali is celebrated. Let me share that with you.  

In his Varaaha avatar, God Vishnu as a Wild boar saves mother Earth by lifting her out of the waters. Born of this union between Vishnu and Bhudevi is Naraka. 

Naraka Starts off as a strong and a good person but over thousands of years he loses his goodness and becomes an asura or a Rakshasa who begins to torment people and torture all living beings.

Several ages later Vishnu who is now born as Sri Krishna is married to Sathyabama who is herself an incarnation of Mother Earth. Now Krishna's citizens complain to him and ask him to end the torture of Narakaasura. 

With his wife Sathyabama he goes to war with Narakaasura and together with her help he manages to kill Narakaasura. In his final moments of passing Naraka reconnects with his mother and asks that his death not be a morning but a celebration of his reunion with his mother. That is why Diwali is celebrated in the south of India. 

The day Naraka is killed is celebrated as the first day of Diwali or Deepavali. 

 if we were to understand this story in contemporary terms, where do you think it will take us? Think about it.

Do you know what the word NARAKA actually means? It means "a piece of earth". 

A piece of earth that has moved away from the mother. 

It refers to human consciousness that has moved away from nature, from mother earth. On Diwali, with the lighting of lamps- this darkness and separation in our consciousness is dispelled and we are united with mother earth. 

Finally Diwali is fun. It is a time to catch up with family and friends, to dance, to dine and play together. It is a respite from the relentless race towards success or survival. 

So this Diwali consciously choose to get off the routine of responsibility and have fun with your loved ones.