Light of Spiritual Wisdom
(EXCERPT FROM DIVINE DISCOURSE)
Deepavali is a festival of lights. It is the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. In the Northern parts of India, the festival of Deepawali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, after defeating Ravana. In the southern parts of India, Deepavali is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.
The life-story of Narakasura reveals the magnitude of his wickedness. His entire realm was plunged in darkness. No lights burnt in the homes or in streets. No woman could be seen anywhere in the open. He imprisoned thousands of princesses and tortured innumerable women. Unable to bear these indignities, the women appealed to Krishna for succour. As Narakasura had inflicted sufferings on women, he had to be punished by a woman. For this reason, Krishna took his consort Satyabhama with Him and directed her to destroy him in a battle.
The following day is Amavasya (New Moon Day). On this day, Krishna freed from prison 16,000 Gopikas from the clutches of Narakasura. This was the day of liberation for the Gopikas. It is a moonless day when the night is utterly dark. The Gopikas prayed that as on that day, they had got the light of freedom, it should be duly marked by illuminations. Hence lamps are lit on this day.
The lamp points to another significant fact. Wherever it may be placed, the flame goes upwards and never moves down. Likewise, the flame of Jnana (Spiritual Wisdom) leads one to a sublime level through the path of Righteousness.
Four elements are required to light a lamp. If you want to light a lamp, you need four things. First a container, second oil, third a wick and fourth a match box. If any one of these is lacking, you cannot light the lamp. This lamp can, however, remove only the outside darkness. How is the darkness in the heart to be removed?
It can be removed only by Jnana Jyoti (the Light of Wisdom) and by nothing else. How is this Light of Wisdom, this spiritual light, to be lit? This also needs four elements. Vairagya (detachment) is the container. Bhakti (devotion) is the oil. Ekagrata (one-pointed concentration) is the wick. Jnana (Knowledge of the Supreme Truth) is the match stick. Without all the four, the Light of Spiritual Wisdom cannot be got.
Of the four, the primary requisite is the spirit of Vairagya (renunciation). Without this detachment, all knowledge of scriptures is of no avail. What is this detachment? It is the absence of attachment to the body. The ego-feeling, which makes one think of the “I” all the time, should be given up. The sense of Mamakara (possessiveness) and the ego-feeling are the causes of raga (attachment). How is this disease of attachment to be eradicated? By the process of self-enquiry.
When you realise the impermanence of the body and all the sensory experiences, you acquire the sense of Vairagya (detachment). It only means you should discharge your duties, treating the body as a God-given instrument for this purpose. “Paropakaaraartham Idam Shareeram” (This body is for the purpose of helping others). It should not be used solely for selfish ends. Deepavali has to be observed as a day for getting rid of all the bad qualities in us, symbolised by the demon Narakasura.
The Gopikas who were freed on that day represent the imprisoned good qualities in us. They should be manifested effulgently. This is the inner significance of the festival. As long as the demonic qualities remain in man, he will be immersed in darkness. Bad qualities and thoughts have to be got rid of altogether.
Swami had said “I desire that our festivals and the holy days should be observed in the right spirit, with an understanding of their inner significance. The destruction of the Narakasura symbolises the destruction of evil and the restoration of what is good.“
This is Deepavali in the true sense!
Source: Divine Discourse in the Prasanthi Mandir, November 9, 1988.