Diwali is a joyous festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists (Dharmic traditions) and the festive spirit expressed by those of "any, all and no faith." Though celebrated for different reasons, it has evolved from a pan-Indian festivity uniting multicultural diversity with worldwide cultures.
The very foundation of Indian civilization is based on the pluralistic acceptance embodied in the ancient Vedic scriptures; the oft used perennial Vedic saying: "Ekam Sat Vipra, Bahudha Vadanti," meaning, "The Truth is One. The Realized Ones describe the One Truth in several ways." Acceptance of this edict gives citizens space to express their differences while finding a common ground. And, closer to home, Diwali shares a special connection with American values as it exemplifies the ideals of "E Pluribus Unum," or, "out of many, one."
The strength of the Dharmic culture is the multitude of ways in which the Puranic (ancient traditional) stories and epics are brought to life through colorful festivals and selfless service (seva). These stories and epics bring to surface the deep philosophical truths of the ancient Hindu scriptures, known as the Vedas. The Festivals often express the common Vedic tenets of Hinduism, and of other Dharmic cultures, making them accessible to people from all walks of life.
Festivals form a lifeline that binds the Hindu and Dharmic cultures to family, the community and to the country where they reside. Festivals connect and bring people together in camaraderie and service. Hindu festivals also reflect and sustain the underlying pluralistic values for diverse people to co-exist harmoniously.
Hinduism is the contemporary word used for the monotheistic "Sanatana Dharma" or Eternal Order. The joy and peace in human life is based on observance of this eternal order. In the Hindu approach, an integration of spirit, mind and body is emphasized for pursuit of happiness (ananda). Festivals play a very important role in Hinduism as they manifest this integration.
A festival is a joyful synthesis and expression of spirituality, religion, philosophy, culture, service and social values. The spiritual aspect is founded on the human instincts of joy and happiness. The philosophical aspect is grounded in the struggle between the forces of good and evil with the ultimate triumph of the former. This struggle and ensuing victory of good is to be celebrated and used as a reminder to us, and future generations, that selfless service and giving are an interwoven part of the traditions.
"Service which is given without consideration of anything in return, at the right place and time to one that is qualified, with the feeling that it is one's duty, is regarded as the nature of goodness." (Bhagavad Gita 17.20)
In bringing together people of all Indic traditions -- Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and others -- the celebrations of the different aspect of Diwali create an interlocked mosaic.
For Hindus themselves, the festivities of Diwali are celebrated by many stories. Universally the celebration is the triumph of Good (Lord Rama or Lord Krishna) over Evil (Ravana, Narakasura, etc.).
Most of Northern India celebrates the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest with his wife Sita and brother Laxman. The people of Ayodhya (metaphorically translates to a place of no war) welcomed the trio by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), hence the name of the festival, Deepavali, or Diwali. The celebration of the victorious return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after killing the demon Ravana signifies the spiritual fulfillment of the journey (of life) after destroying the evil forces (asuras -- negative tendencies) and strengthening the divine (divya) forces within.
Southern India honors this as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Krishna accompanied his wife, Sathyabhama, in battle. Together they subdued King Narakasura and freed the prisoners who were mostly women. Diwali celebrations in the North also honor Krishna who protected the people of Gokula from torrential rains under the Govardhan mountain.
In western India the celebration is in honor of the day King Bali who gave away his kingdom and went to rule the nether-world as ordered by Vishnu.
For Jains, Diwali has an added significance. Lord Mahavira attained the Eternal Bliss of Nirvana. His life was transformed into a spiritual journey of self penance and sacrifice.
The Sikhs have always celebrated Diwali. Its significance increased when, on this day the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, was freed from captivity of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir, along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners).
Buddhists in India and Nepal honor Emperor Ashoka who, on this day, took to Ahimsa (non-violence), a key Vedic principle which became an integral part of Buddha's teachings. King Ashoka sent his emissaries to many part of Asia and they spread Buddha's teachings.
Goddess Lakshmi, (from the Sanskrit word "lakshye" which means "aim") is invoked for blessings to restart our worldly and spiritual accounting. Prayers of thankfulness, (Lakshmi Puja), are offered for future prosperity by people of all faiths. Lakshmi Puja is another common factor in Diwali celebrations which binds the people of the Indian subcontinent and now globally.
Diwali traditionally marks the beginning of the New Year for Hindu businesses and the last harvest of the year before winter. Many close their books and open new accounts with prayers for success and prosperity. Symbolically it is a new start -- forgive and forget -- in all aspects of life including relationships with family and friends. It is the time for community and family celebration with prayers through puja, of togetherness, of sharing all resources, of food and gifts.
Today, Diwali is enjoyed by most Indians, regardless of faith, and by people of Dharmic faiths globally. Everyone celebrates it through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets and worship as is customary for each religious and/or non-religious group. No house is too big or too small for illumination. Artisans of all faiths, including Muslims and Christians, participate in making the lamps, fireworks and sweets.
While the story behind Diwali varies from region to region, the essence is the same: to rejoice in the Inner Light and understand the underlying reality of all things. The spiritual meaning of Diwali is "the awareness of the inner light." At the heart, Hindu philosophy emphasizes the presence of that which is pure, infinite and eternal, which is something beyond the physical and the mind. Diwali is the celebration of the awakening and awareness of the Inner Light. Although it is not seen externally, this Inner Light outshines all darkness, removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance; it awakens the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite and transcendent reality. With this inner realization comes universal compassion, love and the awareness of the oneness of all things -- the Sat (Truth), Chit (Consciousness) and Ananda (Inner Joy). For Hindus, this is the goal of life.
Festivals are also a time to donate and help those in need. In the United States, the community is enhancing sustainable civic engagement (seva) to serve by connecting with America through the spirit of Hindu/Dharmic festivals and the cultural heritage. DhanSeva (resources empowerment) is community service during the month of November, while celebrating the festival of Diwali. It is giving resources of any kind -- material or spiritual or physical, whatever one can give.
Seva during Diwali means bringing in light, especially in the life of those less fortunate than us. There are many ways to serve. We can offer financial help and education; share knowledge; identify ways to promote economic empowerment; hold health camps; provide guidance in yoga; replenish local food banks for Thanksgiving; donate books, computers or equipment to local schools and libraries; serve the Veterans, etc.
Diwali unifies every religion, every home and every heart, and India transcends into a land of myriad lamps. Here in America, we are continuing this celebration marking it as a unifying pluralistic festival advancing community service. We hope Hindu and Dharmic traditions of Diwali and America's commitment to service will illuminate innovative and empowering resources, both financial and spiritual and spur the distribution and sharing of common values of pluralism and collaboration.
May the spirit of Diwali bring joy, health, wealth, prosperity, peace and spiritual enlightenment!
Follow Anju Bhargava on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hindusevausa
Vineet Chander: Choosing Light: A Diwali Reflection
Diwali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A selection of top sites on Diwali - the festival of lights - the ...
Sewa in Hinduism, by Abhipsa Kar | Tattva
Hindu Seva Samajam distributes free dhoties and sarees to old age ...
God bless
Dr. O. P. Sudrania
"Tamaso maa jyotirgamayaa, (Lead me from darkness to light)
Asato maa sadgamayaa, (Lead me from untruth to truth)
Mrityormaa amritangamayaa" (Lead me from mortality to immortality or from death to eternity)
This explains the meaning of light (Enlightenment) succinctly.
God bless
Dr. O. P. Sudrania
However, it does not promote unity to the world. Religions serve to divide people.
people who seek differences among us as an excuse to exploit those differences in order to divide and conquer is what serves to divide people.
what do you serve?
In the Christian tradition the Light is the Christ; that Light that lights every man, woman and child that comes into the world, and we are admonished to let that (inner) light shine because we are the light of the world. Christ (Son, Word, Logos, Light, Sound) is Vishnu (Krishna). Holy Spirit (Breath) is Shiva. The Father (I AM THAT I AM) is Brahman. We are one tho we use different names for the same thing. A rose by any other name is still a rose.
Call me a cumudgeon, but I fear I will never understand this kind of thinking; that it is love which will bring us all together as one in all our wonderful diversity and plurality, and that this is a likely or even desireable goal. Especially if it be on the basis of religion, the very instinct that dictates that one man's truth shall be another man's blasphemy, and that always seems to bring out the worst in everybody. Most people have their hands full just keeping love sorted out in their own family circle, never mind the whole damn planet. It's just this kind of thinking that always seems to be the problem posing as the solution; that seems to assert it as a virtue that I should love the man on the other side of the world, not of my own kind, just by virtue of our shared humanity. Does it occur to no one that, shared humanity or no, maybe this man on the other side of the world has a fundamental human right not to be loved by me? It seems to me that a far better universal truth to be imposed upon all mankind as a virtue would be "Behave yourself, and mind your own business."
Unfortunately the more I study this subject the more i realize that it is simply human nature to be selfish, or at least it appears that way. From top to bottom religion or no, humans are mostly incapable of true compassion on a broad level.
still gonna tell him to mind his own business before he jumps in to save you?
now, let's just say this man on the other side of the world didn't know how to swim and was drowning, and you were the only person there to save his life. but because you DON'T understand "this kind of thinking," you mind your own business, walk away and let him drown.
which "kind of thinking" then, would you value more as a universal virtue then?
i suggest you might wanna look into trying to understand a little more about "this kind of thinking."
The Path of Love - Osho
http://www.livingworkshop.net/PDF-files/The_Path_of_Love.pdf
there are far too many people falling for the conditioning that promotes the living and practice of war down to the level of thought and feeling though, because there are far too many people who fall for the selfish enticements that war life propagandists use to make soldiers out of them, as well as belieiving the nonsense that love is weakness and war is strength.
While you suffer your own internal disagreements about who you are and what your values actually mean, thanks to caste system still largely in vigor in India, listen to what Eleanor Roosevelt coined once:
“Yesterday is a history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why we call it “The Present.”
Hence, take “Deepawali” as a gift that illuminates every face while enjoying the enlightenment of every house or agglomeration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c33Co-N55Wg
Tony Nader MD PHD neuroscience is publishing a book " ramayana in the human physiology "
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbmP3h5MarY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQLIQ9FimzA&feature=related
http://www.globalgoodnews.com/cultural-news-a.html?art=128871603641043867
On the PopEater blog on 10/23/2010, the editors of StyleList ask:
"Is Katy Perry's Indian Nose Ring the Real Deal?"
"The nath is traditionally worn by Indian brides on their wedding day, until being removed on the wedding night by the groom to symbolize her virginity ending," observes one commenter, asking, "Then why is Perry wearing one? She's no virgin for sure!"
Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall reportedly enjoyed a Hindu wedding ceremony; but neither of them are practicing Hindus. Katy Perry and Russell Brand aren't initiated (ordained) on any yogic path. Neither claim to be practicing Hindus, or even "Vaikuntha children" raised in the Hindu faith.
I think it's admirable they respect other religious traditions. Remember, Katy Perry was born and raised a conservative Christian! Perhaps rebelling against her Christian upbringing, her music is secular. Neither of them claim to be religious -- where's the controversy?
Another commenter says, "To me, shows great disrespect to the Indian culture."
It's disrespectful only if they claim to believe in the religion, but aren't following any of its principles; making a mockery of the religion itself.
Followers of Krishna Consciousness or bhakti-yoga are known for literally interpreting the Hindu scriptures.
Prince Charles once asked a Hare Krishna devotee what she thought of the followers of free love "guru" Rajneesh, (whom even Hindu astrologer Tom Hopke called a "demon").
She replied, "I don't think they represent Hinduism very well."
maybe forward to stylelist ?
In Bhagavad-gita ("The Lord’s Song"), Lord Krishna reveals Himself as an incarnation of God to His disciple Arjuna. According to the Gita (11:48), one cannot come to know God personally by study of the scriptures, nor by performing sacrifices, nor by charity, nor by good deeds, nor by penances.
The Gita (11:54-55) teaches that God can only be known through love and devotion. The Brahma-Samhita (34) says the ascetics and deep thinkers who try to understand God through their own abilities merely touch the outskirts of His lotus feet, and do not know Him intimately. The Gita (Ch. 12) explains one must lead a life of devotion to a personal God. Those completely devoted to God are not affected by worldly conflicts, concerns, and entanglements, and are very, very dear to Him.
The Lord’s devotees are lifted by the Lord into a state of spiritual grace; free from the entanglements of the world and the flesh, because—by His mercy—they are able to serve Him personally. (Gita 14:26-27) One can understand God only by devotion. (Gita 18:55) Only through devotion can one enter into the kingdom of God. One must surrender oneself completely to God. By His grace ("tat-prasadat") one receives everlasting peace and the spiritual Kingdom. (Gita 18:58-66)
http://calendars.globalgoodnews.com/vedic/11.html [ time of Yudhishtira samvatsara ]
His " india is the mother of all cultures ; the home of all knowledge VED BHUMI BHARAT "
agrees with your fullsome comment
about kate perry and Russell Brand : thye are practitioners of transcendental meditation (TM) and supporting the charity work of David lynch foundation http://www.globalgoodnews.com/cultural-news-a.html?art=128871414641018945
Happy Diwali.
This is absolutely wonderful. And how do all of these beautiful, religious, peaceful people rectify/rationalize child slave labor in India??? How can these people turn their heads and pretend they don't see the poor children who are taken away from their parents and used as slaves in their many industries? The children are very, very young. They work long hours without pay, in sometimes filthy conditions and many go without eating for long periods of time.
I have no respect for such cultures. Cows are more highly valued than their own progeny.
There is also the issue of colonialism and foreign domination which broke a functioning society so that the Western world could prosper due to ill gotten gains.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/10/how_churchill_starved_india.html
Here is a recent report which shows the direction of change being undertaken by civil society in India...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/10/is_the_free_market_improving_the_lives_of_indias_d.html
If you can help, join in, but remember that when you say nonsense like 'cows are more highly valued than their own progeny", you surrender your moral authority.
India had rockets in the late 18th century; they were even used in military battles against the British. This generated interest in rocket technology in England. The Indian people built "iron forts and thousand pillared halls" and were described by observers as adorning themselves in silk, wool, linen and cotton.
For thousands of years, India has enjoyed music, orchestral bands, dance, song, stage acting and all the other fine arts. A. Kalyanaraman writes that in comparison to other parts of the world, slavery was virtually nonexistent. There did exist various forms of indentured servitude, but none as brutal as in the West. Kalyanaraman further insists that the whole of Southeast Asia received most of its culture from India. India gave the world rice, cotton, sugarcane, spices and chess. Indian philosophy and metaphysics can be found in Pythagoras, Plato, Plotinus, Emerson, Thoreau, and Schopenhauer. India has much to offer the West. India’s real treasure is her spiritual heritage.
Before India was mugged by savage North Atlantic Islanders a few centuries back -- India had and controlled roughly one third of the wealth.
All of it.
But only for 1500 years running.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_India
And India's doing okay these days, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2qZEiZMgWs
For anyone who hasn't been paying attention --- "Less third-world backwater; More rapidly-rising Empire."
No kidding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X5L7pI818U&feature=related
And I agree - it's India's spiritual heritage that is her real treasure, along with the way that spiritual heritage manifests in everything from mainstream entertainment to its global influence on every major spiritual tradition and every major culture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXG3ya3AGnM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFa2lMXvqUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP-TwHwLc98
(I wouldn't think most people would expect Indian movies and ads to be quite so ... inspiring ... so well-produced ... so ... in English; India is the largest English-speaking nation in the world.)
Not to mention the nice little corner on the dance market they've had since 2001 .... B.C.E. or C.E. ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nxJbuSqdQM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w656ZPdk04I
... and for anyone who wants to dig a little deeper:
http://www.hinduwisdom.info/
.. India's contributions to global wisdom and cultural are essentially endless.