Sunday 23 October 2011

From Darkness to Light

|| Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Sri Ramachandra, Sita, Lutchmana, Hanumanaki  Jai


As I sit now and reflect on the day that has been, I cannot but draw a parallel between my residence and Ayodhya in the time of Lord Rama's return from exile. The festoons were out and every street was bursting with excitement at the arrival of the Lord to his rightful palace.


Swamiji speaking to devotees

Today, as I installed the pictures of Master , Mother and Swamiji in my home, the devotees and guests awaited with the same kind of enthusiasm and delight for the arrival of revered Swami Vimokshananda who blessed the occasion with His divine presence.

 Sri Ramakrishna said in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna: ”a thousand years of darkness is dispelled in one instant of light". That is the power of light and no doubt in His discourse and presentation revered Maharaj was able dispel the darkness that has plagued many for so long.
I offer my sincere pranams to Maharaj and thank Him sincerely for taking the time to grace my home with his presence and lighting the lamp of hope and divinity in all present. That is the message essentially that Swamiji relayed to all.

I always wondered why the festival is called Deepavali and not that just 'deepa'. 'Deepa' means light and 'vali' means row. If this is a festival of lights then it could have  been called just deepa. We find that if we scatter the diyas all over the shore then the intensity of the light emanating is rather low.  However, if we co-ordinate the diyas in a row the illumination is much stronger. In the same manner if we can summon and co-ordinate our thought and action on God then his presence in our life becomes intense. If we scatter our thoughts and actions on worldy matters then the manifestation of the divine is lessened. Like the rows of lights had to be lit so that the Lord can be seen as He returned , let us prepare for the home coming of the Lord within us.

Let this Deepavali be more of a personal celebration of the victory of all the vices within us and may the lamp of knowledge be lit with the candle of devotion. I take this opportunity in wishing all of you a spiritually rewarding Deepavali. May this festival bring with it hope, prosperity and the grace of God.

With Love and prayers always

1 comment:

  1. On Dipawali, we should light up the lives of others. When there is light all around us how shall we live in darkness.
    Swamiji said,"Go from village to village and do good to mankind. If death is so certain, let us die for a good cause."
    In doing good to others we do good to ourselves.
    Dr. Shubhashish Sircar
    Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

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