From the teachings of Pt. Balram Persad, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Om Shakti Mandali
As we celebrate Divali, devotees’ homes are alive with activity. We scrub and sweep, wash and paint, remove cobwebs, arrange decorations and prepare the surroundings to welcome the Festival of Light. These traditions are beautiful and meaningful. But Divali invites us to go beyond the external.
The cleaning of our homes can also become a profound spiritual exercise, a reminder that just as we prepare the physical surroundings for the light, we must also prepare the internal home of the heart. For the true spirit of Divali is not simply about lighting a deeya. It is about becoming a light.
Cleaning Away the Dust Within
When we scrub away the dirt from our homes, let us also consider the dirt that may have accumulated within us. We are encouraged to scrub away the dirt of agyaan, or ignorance, using the detergent of gyaan, or knowledge.
Knowledge illuminates what ignorance conceals. It enables us to see ourselves, others and the world with greater clarity. Thus, the internal cleansing of the mind and heart is every bit as important as the physical cleaning of our homes, perhaps even more so.
The homes of devotees may be spotless, but what about the hearts of devotees?
Removing the Cobwebs
Every home eventually gathers cobwebs, and they must be removed. Within us, too, there can be cobwebs that have accumulated over time: hatred, lust, false pride, greed and anger.
These cannot be swept away with an ordinary brush. They require the brush of santosh, contentment. Contentment teaches us to appreciate what we have rather than constantly reaching for what we do not. It quietens the restless desire for more and creates space for gratitude, peace and spiritual awareness.
Sweeping Away Falsehood
As we sweep the dust from homes, Divali reminds us to sweep away another kind of dust, the dust of falsehood and deceit. The broom should be honesty and clear thinking.
Truthfulness brings clarity to relationships and to the conscience. If we stop deceiving ourselves and others, we begin to see life more honestly and live with greater integrity.
Washing Away the Grime of Ego
We wash the floors, walls and surfaces to remove grime and restore cleanliness. Similarly, we are called upon to wash away the grime of egoism, arrogance and discord. The cleansing waters are humility and quietness.
Humility does not diminish us. Instead, it frees us from the burden of constantly proving ourselves superior, being right or seeking recognition. In quietness, we create the space to listen: to others, to the conscience and to the Divine.
Painting the Walls of Our Lives
At Divali, we often paint and refresh the walls of homes. But there are other walls that require attention: the walls of our lives.
Let us paint them with hope, faith and positive thoughts. Let us replace discouragement with hope, doubt with faith and negativity with a willingness to see possibility. And just as we hang new curtains and decorations in our homes, we can bring new influences into our lives through satsang, positive vibrations and uplifting company.
What we allow into our minds matters. The people we associate with, the words we listen to, the thoughts we entertain and the practices we cultivate all influence the atmosphere of our inner world.
Refurbishing the Soul
Divali is also an opportunity to refurbish and redecorate our lives through spiritual discipline. This may include worship of the Guru, self-study, spiritual practice, respect for all and love for all. These practices gradually transform the internal environment.
The goal is not simply to have a beautifully decorated home for one night. It is to create a life in which the light of wisdom, compassion and devotion can remain throughout the year.
Be Like the Deeya
Perhaps one of the most beautiful reminders of Divali is the deeya. We light the deeya as a symbol of light overcoming darkness. But the deeper invitation is this:
Do not simply light the deeya. Be like the deeya.
Let your life radiate light. Let your presence bring warmth, hope and joy to others. Let your words encourage rather than wound. Let your actions uplift rather than diminish. And, like the lotus, let your life represent perfection and spiritual aspiration. See the beauty in life. Be the light.
Inviting Maa Lakshmi
The spiritual cleansing of Divali also prepares us to for the manifestation of Lakshmi Devi, the Divine Mother associated with prosperity, abundance and all that is positive and developmental.
The Devi Bhagwat offers profound guidance on how we may experience the presence and blessings of Maa Lakshmi; not only during Divali, but throughout life.
It reminds us that prosperity is not merely material wealth. The presence of Maa Lakshmi is associated with a life that is positive, compassionate, constructive and spiritually enhanced.
And therefore, there are means of living that invite these blessings, and means of living that drive them away. We must refrain from condemning others, hurting holy persons or anyone, blaming others, engaging in violence, harming animals or nature, lacking compassion and kindness, and refusing to give in charity. A life characterized by cruelty, hatred and selfishness cannot provide fertile ground for true prosperity.
If we wish to experience the blessings of Maa Lakshmi, our lives must reflect the good qualities that make those blessings meaningful.
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