This Deepavali / Diwali (Indian Festival of lights), let us once again remember the deeper significance of ‘light’….
Along with all the festivities and celebrations, let us also bring in the ‘light of knowledge’ to remove the darkness of ignorance, …by dwelling upon the Light of All Lights – Atmajyoti, the self-illuminating Self, Atma)!
Let us spend some time in the day to contemplate upon the beautiful significance of ‘Eka-shloki’ (one verse) by the revered Sri Adi Shankaracharya ….
किं ज्योतिस्तवभानुमानहनि मे रात्रौ प्रदीपादिकं
स्यादेवं रविदीपदर्शनविधौ किं ज्योतिराख्याहि मे ।
चक्षुस्तस्य निमीलनादिसमये किं धीर्धियो दर्शने
किं तत्राहमतो भवान्परमकं ज्योतिस्तदस्मि प्रभो ॥
kiṃ jyotis-tava-bhānumān-ahani me rātrau pradīpādikaṃ
syādevaṃ ravidīpa-darśana-vidhau kiṃ jyotir-ākhyāhi me.
cakṣus-tasya nimīlanādi-samaye kiṃ dhīrdhiyo darśane
kiṃ tatrāhamato bhavān-paramakaṃ jyotis-tadasmi prabho ..
Guru: What provides you with light?
Sishya: By day, the sun, by night, a lamp.
Guru: What is the light that sees these lights?
Sishya: The eye.
Guru: What is the light that illumines the eye?
Sishya: The intellect.
Guru: What is it that knows, lights up the intellect?
Sishya: It is the “I, the self”.
Guru: Therefore, you are that light of the Self- the light of all lights.
Sishya: _Truly, I am That Light!!
(I recognise that I am…, I shine as pure consciousness)
My prayerful wishes and love to all on this auspicious Deepavali (Diwali) …
May the Light of Knowledge and Prosperity pervade your lives, bringing in all that is good – happiness, health, material and spiritual wealth…
ॐ Śrī Mahālakṣhmyai Namaḥ
Written By –
Svaminī Chidekarasānanda Sarasvatī