17th October 2009
Dipāvali, New Moon

Blessed Soul Lamps,

This new moon is the celebration of peacemakers’ illumination also known as Dipāvali (or colloquially as Diwāli). Thousands of lamps will be lit across the world to brighten up the new moon night. This festivity is based on an ancient custom to honour the homecoming of nobility and the welcoming of radiant divinity.

Once upon a time, the noble king Rāma returned victoriously to the city of Ayodhyā, an abode where inner impediments and outer enemies were said to have been conquered. He is also known as the Maryāda Purusha or a respectable embodiment of divine attributes. His godly character radiated light and his presence awakened love in people around him.

Rāma’s victory march heralded the return of real wealth back home. He is said to have symbolically honoured an even older tradition of inviting the goddess of wealth or Laxmi on this day. Metaphorically, the lighting is also a celebration of nurturing plenitude and abundance by cultivating the body and environment through meditative virtues and by actions founded upon spiritual values.

Laxmi is revered as the pious consort of the Overlord of our world that extends up to the lunar mansions (asterisms); the portion of the universe with its solar system and the lunar mansions is also known as the Brahmāndam. And therein she represents the beauty in abundance and the light of divine wealth.

Since antiquity, people have lit lamps on this dark night to repose in the ever-manifest and ever-lit individual consciousness amidst the un-manifest and unconscious dark matter of the universe. On this date, I offer my nurturing prayers and noble thoughts to honour the beauty of your holy abundance. May you make the grace of Laxmi manifest through you. Welcome Her beauty and wealth as virtues in your life. And become honourable like Rāma.

With light and love,

Swami Vidyadhishananda