(Knowledge extracts from Divali messages)
Pt. Varistha Persad, OCT, BA, PgDipEd, MA, Junior Pundit, SWAHA
Year after year, the auspicious and most celebrated occasion of Divali comes and goes. The masses, irrespective of religious preference, accept the universal message of good over evil and light over darkness. This is a popular message that passes from speakers to listeners, spiritual leaders to devotees, and even among non-Hindus.
Is this the sole message of Divali? Why should deeyas, fireworks and clean homes be the only focus of this festival? Unfortunately, the commercialisation of any commodity demands simplification and catchphrases to attract the wider public. Divali should not be commercialised like other festivals, whose core has been removed from that spiritual element and sold as merely gift giving or other charitable endeavours. This aspect allows for wider consumption but it does not do justice to the spirituality, values and fundamental principles with which this festival should be aligned.
In a changing society of shifting values and moral disintegration, what should be spread to the masses is that of Mother Lakshmi, the importance of the Goddess in the home or the biological mother. Any society that disfavours, ignores or absolves the importance of its women, that society is doomed to failure and destruction. The woman in every home and country is the upholder of the values, religious principles and that indestructible binding force that holds the family together. Divali and the message of Divali aligns the woman and envisages her position as one of the eight forms of Lakshmi. Sanaatan Dharma is the only way of life which places utmost importance on Devi Maa and the female form in general. Pratham Guru Maataa, the first guru is the mother and, Satyam Maataa, in the absence of our biological mother, then truth (satyam) should be our mother. Mother gives birth and God gives life. Our mother is that sole carrier of future generations. While we develop in her womb, after birth, and for as long as she is around, she nurtures us, cares for us and guides us to make the right decisions. Any man or woman that has achieved success in life has only done so with the blessings and guidance of mother.
Lastly, this is the true message and focus of Divali: as we celebrate Divali, in most challenging times, let us remember as we look forward, to turn inward, and to revere our mothers.
Pt. Lomas Persad, Asst. Spiritual Leader, Sukh Shanti Bhakti Mandali
Historically, Divali is a celebration of victory over evil. Today, it symbolises that inner journey that we are on to dispel the darkness of ignorance within us. It is a celebration unlike any other. I urge you to revisit what Divali means to you. We have everything that we need to celebrate Divali in the way it is meant to be celebrated. Despite COVID-19 restrictions we are still able to clean our homes, to fast, to perform puja, to light our deeyas, to sing bhajans and to welcome Lakshmi Maa into our home. The world and our lives, as we used to know it, may have changed, but this tradition has not.
Let us use this time to pray together and strengthen that family bond. Let us celebrate our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, the Lakshmis of our home. On this joyous and festive occasion of Divali, let us pray together to Lakshmi Maa. We pray for all forms of spiritual and material wealth. May the brilliance within us shine forth and may we always remain on that path of spiritual development.
Aadyanta Rahite Devi
Aaadya Shakti Maheshvari
Yoga Je Yoga Sambhuute
Mahaa Lakshmi Namostute
O Devi, who is without beginning and without end, who is the great Goddess representing the Primordial Shakti, who is born of Yoga and who is always united with Yoga, reverential salutations to you, O Devi Mahaa Lakshmi.
