Dear Editor,
Throughout the world, including Guyana, Diwali is being celebrated on Sunday, November 12th. Guyanese are lucky to enjoy a long weekend by virtue of Monday being a day off.
The sages who instituted this Deepavali custom may have hoped that their descendants would realize its benefits and make the tradition a regular habit in their lives. Unite and unify is one of the themes observed as we seek the mercy of the Divine for the removal of benightment. Diwali is a cooperative event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts, being an ideal moment to beg pardon. It is a time when people mingle in joy and embrace one another, forgiving anyone of any grievance. Those with keen, inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voices of the sages, “O children of God, unite and love all”.
The vibrations produced by the greeting of love, which fill the atmosphere, are powerful. When the heart has considerably toughened, only a continuous celebration of Deepavali can rekindle the urgent need to turn away from the ruinous path of hatred and greed. Prosperity and progress resonate with prayers to the Divinity of Wealth. On this day, Hindu merchants in India open new account books and pray for success and profit during the coming year. Outstanding accounts are settled. People buy new outfits for the family. The females receive golden jewelries.
Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees. Homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthen oil lamps called diyas. Children make Rangolis in their yards. Strings of colored lights decorate the ambiance for a kaleidoscopic look. The best and finest illuminations can be seen from Berbice to Demerara and throughout Essequibo to the hinterland in this country. Motorcades are organized, and enshrined with pictures depicting the images of deities, in particular Mata Lakshmi.
The famous Golden Temple at Amritsar in India is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps. This festival instills the urge of the doer as a giver in the hearts of people to perform good deeds. This includes Govardhan Puja, a celebration by Vaishnavites on the fourth day of Diwali. On this day, they feed the poor on an incredible scale. Time out is taken to kindle the spark within the inner self. The lights of Diwali also signify a time of inner awakening and reconnecting with the Atma.
Hindus believe that the light of lights is the one that steadily shines in the chamber of the heart. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light consoles the inner self. It is a practice to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss. From Darkness on to Light is the cry of those blinded by negativities, nefariousness, and naiveness. In each legend, myth, and anecdote, the story of Deepavali narrates the significance of the victory of good over evil. It is with each Deepavali and the lights that brighten our homes and hearts that this simple truth finds new reason with the season and hopes to cope. The fascination of light empowers us to a commitment of bettering ourselves and brings us closer to the Divinity. Sweetmeats are distributed among families, friends and neighbors. Gifts are exchanged. Seva is practiced as the less fortunate are treated and money is shared as dhaan.
During Diwali, lights are lit in every corner of the world, and the scent of incense hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of music, firecrackers, the squeal of laughter of joy, and the clapping of hands for togetherness. Diwali is celebrated around the globe. Outside of India, it is more than a Hindu festival; it’s a culture of celebration of South-Asian identities, Hindus, followers, observers, and other participants. If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses, and concentrate on this supreme light. Giving thanks to the Unseen One and visiting the mandirs, brings a sense of being rejoiceful, especially for the farmers who would have reaped bountiful crops.
This Diwali season represents knowledge over ignorance with the rows of lights, it is daunted with so many deaths due to illness, accidents, and crime in Guyana. Doom and gloom demoralize man with the many wars that are destroying the lives of millions in the universe. Let us light a special Diya for all the departed ones, for the families who have suffered any loss, and say a special prayer in their memory. Let us pray also for the well-being of all the leaders of this country and the rest of the world to always do what is best and right for the people, by exercising wisdom, care, and good judgement.
May all negativities be extinguished from everyone, especially the sick, oppressed and depressed, with the brightness of Diwali. Shubh Diwali to you and your family.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall
