For a Hindu celebrating Diwali in the West, images of diyas, rangoli, and mithai are conjured accompanied by the sweet melody of bhajans. For most Indians belonging to the diaspora, Diwali is not only an observance marked by merriment, but also a powerful means of identity formation, critical to preserving cultural heritage. Indians who have immigrated from all over the world to America have recreated the India of their ancestors along with the memories of how Diwali was celebrated in Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam, Singapore, Mauritius, and other despotically relevant communities. For many families, Diwali marks the time of year where all loved ones come home for the holidays and is an occasion where religious beliefs, family structures and social customs are blended.

Through the observance of Diwali, the Hindu identity is negotiated according to three inter-related processes—the individual consciousness, religio-spiritual identity and societal identity. Individual consciousness refers to how one posits their unique vision of self through relative and absolute perspectives. Religio-spiritual identity nourishes this through swadhyaya—the study of scriptures and the adoption of religious practices like attending satsangas, engaging in deity worship and bhakti or devotional movements, etc. Identity is further established by the social construct of communal worship. For the Indian diaspora, religious celebrations afford a powerful way of communing with their motherland and customs of antiquity.

Diwali, the Hindu New Year, is a period of rebirth, a new beginning, and a time-marker that brings forward the gems of past as tools for manifesting a divine future rooted in spiritual aspiration. India, a land decked in sacred lore, grants no shortage in the mystical implications of Diwali. Diwali traditionally celebrates three events derived from the Ramayan and Srimad Bhagavat Puran—Sri Rama’s return to Ayodhya, Lord Krishna’s destruction of the demon Narakasur, and the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

Each of these stories represents an allegorical depiction of the proverbial fight between good and evil, the union of the devotee with God and the overall triumph of light. Light, is a reoccurring motif within Hindu sacred texts symbolizing that which is eternally true, or Sat. The lighting of diyas is an outward expression of the triumph of light over darkness—dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness) and the intellects victory over ignorance. In the practice of Integral Yoga, light becomes the discipline in raja yoga, the insight in gyana yoga, the action in karma yoga and the divine feeling in bhakti yoga. As Swami Jyotirmayananda says, “Pour the oil of pure feeling into the lamp of the heart. Burn the flame of aspiration; kindle the ego by the fire of Divine Love; keep trimming the wick through enquiry and surrender.” In this way a tremendous ideal is placed before all devotees with the lighting of each lamp. Furthermore, with regards to negotiations of spiritual identity, every lamp acts as an initiation into a deeper understanding of “Who am I?” as the intellect turns intuitional.

From practical means, during the time of Diwali, Hindus all over the world speedily clean their homes, wear new clothes, celebrate with sweets and gifts and most importantly, light rows of clay lamps so as to invite Lakshmi Devi into their homes. The practice of cleansing the external world is reflective of the spiritual movement of sadhana, where the goal is purification of the mind or chitta shuddhi. Ritualistic performances such as cleaning, preparation of prasad and sweets and poojas offer themselves as outlets for worship. Lakshmi Devi, the bestower of prosperity is the center of adoration and presides over worship during this auspicious time.

Lakshmi Devi in her representation of name and form is highly mystical. The name Laskhmi is derived from the word “lakshva—the goal” and is also related to the word “laksha—one hundred thousand.” Her four arms represent the four purusharthas or aims of life: dharma—ethical value, artha—material value, kama—vital value, and moksha—freedom from bondage. The lotus flower upon which she sits is a classical symbol of detachment, presenting the ability to be involved in the physical world of matter while remaining ever-detached. The showering of gold coins through her hands denotes both material and spiritual wealth. Spiritual wealth is understood in the form of daivi sampat—the divine wealth of virtuous qualities. The depiction of elephants symbolizes wisdom and auspiciousness. The naturally large ears of an elephant highlight the trajectory of spiritual attainment beginning with listening. Sravana—listening, manana—reflection and nididhyasana—meditation are the means by which knowledge is ascertained by an aspirant.

Overall, by installing the Divine Feminine onto the altar of the heart, Hindus in every part of the world draw strength, prosperity and intuitional insight during the sacred observance of Diwali. From a relative point of view, Diwali celebrations aid in the construction of personal identity for one who is tied to religious customs and traditions of a certain race. However, from an absolute standpoint, Diwali is not a festival that occurs once a year and is designated exclusively to a particular group of individuals. The illumination of Diwali is ever-present as each day souls rekindle their movement towards the Divine Mother, God the Absolute. Therefore as diasporic communities leave behind their physical country and take with them their high ideals of religion and culture to new lands, so to the spirit within sheds its previous entanglements for an identity established in Divine unification.

Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Om, Lead us from Unreality (of Transitory Existence) to the Reality (of Self),
Lead us from the Darkness (of Ignorance) to the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge),
Lead us from the Fear of Death to the Knowledge of Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

About the Author
Priyanka Ramlakhan is a student of Vedanta Philosophy under the tutelage of Swami Jyotirmayananda and is presently completing a Master’s Religious Studies. Learn more about her
by visiting her blog at www.aspiretoyou.com.

On Saturday, March 10th, 2012 Broward Chapter of World Hindu Council of America held a joyous celebration in South Florida at C.B. Smith Park. Over 250 individuals joined in the celebrations from the supporting organizations of South FL Hindu Temple, Shiva Mandir, Shiva Vishnu Temple, Arya Samaj of South Florida, Ekal Vidyalaya, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Sewa International, Eka Vidyalaya and Param Shakti Peeth of America. Many volunteers came together to prepare delicious Indian cuisine, and Woodlands of Ft. Lauderdale catered delicious dosas. The program was commenced with Sanskrit peace chants, followed by the lighting of Holika Dahan, after which everyone joined in the fun of decorating each other with vibrant colors.

Holi, a festival spanning over centuries has not lost its significance as each spring Hindus in every part of the world gather together to celebrate. The festival of Holi finds its origins in several Puranic stories. One of the most widely known stories is of Prahalad and Hiranyakashyipu. Hiranyakashyipu was the father of Prahalad, a young and devout devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyipu did not approve of his worship and sent his demoness sister Holika, who was immune to fire to take Prahald into a fire and destroy him. Through a divine play Holika was burned instead and Prahalad was saved. The burning of Holika is significant and it is for this reason every year Holika Dahan is performed. The demoness Holika represents ignorance and lower tendencies that must be burned before we can secure firm devotion in God.

The story of Radha and Lord Krishna also lend great significance in Holi, where it marks the day that Lord Krishna delightfully applied color on Radha and the other gopis. Lord Krishna represents the Supreme Soul, and Radha the individual soul. The love they share is symbolic of the union of between mankind and God. The gopis who dance with Krishna represent the divine qualities we imbibe through devotion to God.

Holi also marks the day that Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kamadeva to ashes. The story goes that Lord Shiva was deep in meditation during the time Parvati was performing great austerity to marry him. Kamadeva, Cupid or the god of Love was sent to interrupt him to help Parvati. As soon as Lord Shiva opened his third eye, Kamadeva was burned to ashes, but was allowed to live on in subtle form. This symbolizes the conquest of lower forms of passion and the attainment of divine love.

Overall, the significance of Holi in our lives is one of renewal. It is our opportunity as individuals to let the spring season color our lives in joy and laughter with the subtle understanding of God’s glory that permeates it all.

Bio:
Priyanka Ramlakhan is a Holistic Life Coach and the founder of Aspire to You, a forum for spiritual teachings (www.aspiretoyou.com). After spending over a year of intensive studies at the Chinmaya Mission Vedanta Course in Mumbai, India she moved to Miami to enrich her knowledge of Vedanta Philosophy under the tutelage of her lifelong Guru, Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda. She has dedicated her life to spreading the message of her Guru through lecturing and developing literature on the practical aspects of spirituality. Priyanka has earned a BA in Health Services Administration, and an MA in Public Administration. Having an extensive background in administration coupled with philosophy she is able to bring a fresh and modern approach to spirituality.