Antar Jyoti: The Inner Light

Pundit Navin Omadath Maharaj BSc MIS (Lond), Dip of Ed (UWI) Public Relations Officer (IROTT)

Deepavali is a Sanskrit term composed of the term 'deep' meaning light and 'avali' referring to a row, giving rise to the familiar connote 'row of lights'.

Light is symbolically represented as that which removes darkness, but for Hindu's who practice and follow the path of Sanatan Dharma 'eternal path' it denotes a much deeper meaning, one which translates to the movement of the mind from ignorance to the state of unsullied knowledge.

Man is a complex organism composed of matter and spirit. Brahman or the supreme, the unseen spirit resides in created beings as atman (soul) which is verily the nature of light. Divinity, purity, knowledge, illumination of the mind are but a few amongst the many epithets that allude to its meaning.

Chandogya Upanishad succinctly states 'there is a light that shines beyond all things on earth, beyond us all, even the highest heavens. It is this radiant light that shines in the heart of all men.

This is the light we focus on during the lighting of lamps (deeyas) of Diwali. Light leads to the compassion which forms the grit of humanity. 'Satya' (truth), 'Saucham' (cleanliness), 'Daya' mercy (compassion) and 'Daan' (charitable acts conveyed to all forms of creation) are the cornerstone of well-defined and noble individuals. Daya is believed to be the impetus of the 'well intentioned and virtuous' and is the very essence of what defines us.

The glimmer of the deeyas not only illuminates and brightens the darkness of the night, but it fills the heart of the enlightened, with waves of morality and right conduct.

In a stricken world filled with negative tendencies riddled with the overtone of vices and deep under tones of 'Mamta' attachment, the imperishable light is a reminder of our 'divine' human compassionate self, an honest reflection of our true nature.

The pandemic (over the last two years) has left families torn apart mentally, emotionally, physically, and the spiritual side of our persona has at times, been tested.

Diwali is a true reminder of the inner light of the soul burning away against the darkness of the ever-changing, challenging circumstances. The oil of the deeya reminds us of the negatives in the human mind. The wick is symbolic of the atman (soul). Lighting of the deeya signifies purging ourselves of the selfish thoughts that at times succumb the mind.

It is the inner light (antar jyotih) of goodess and compassion that has steered the path of the human endeavour.

We offer prayer at the time of lighting the deeya 'Lakshmi Karo Tu Kalyanam, Arogyam Sukh Sampadam Mama Shatru Vinashaya, Deep Jyotir Namostute'.

Oh goddess of light and prosperity grant me good welfare, health, happiness and comfort during my existence. Most importantly 'Mother destroy my enemies 'shad ripu' existing sixfold as 'kaam' (lust) ' krodha' (anger) 'Lobha' (greed) 'Mada' (false pride) 'Moha' (delusion and confusion) and 'Matsarya'(envy). These which lead me along the path of darkness 'tamas'. May the illumined lamp 'deeya' kindled by me possess the infinite divinity to raise me above these.

This is the light that I focus and reflect upon during the auspicious period of 'deepavali'. The light that has guided humanity to divinity. May such a light burn fervently as the unconditional love that burns away the materialistic thoughts from within us.

Shubh Deepavali.