Shubh Deepawali: The Light Within

 

The Light Within (via Grok)

After praying to the Sea for several days, seeking its help in crossing to Lanka, Ram gets frustrated by the Sea's inaction. In the conversation that follows, Goswami Tulsidas says:

“विनय न मानत जलधि जड़, गए तीनि दिन बीति।
बोले राम सकोप तब, भय बिनु होइ न प्रीति॥”

“The dull-minded ocean would not heed humble entreaties, and three days passed in vain.
Then Lord Rama, angered, said — ‘Without fear, there can be no love.’”

Sometimes, picking up a weapon seems to be the only option. At least that's what the state of the world often reflects. But perhaps this Diwali offers us a different teaching from the same story. The Ramayana doesn't end with Rama's anger—it continues with wisdom. After his display of force, the ocean finally responds, not with submission born of fear alone, but with guidance. The ocean reveals a path forward - build a bridge, seek Vibhishana's counsel, and cross with determination.

The lesson here is subtle but profound. Sometimes strength must be shown, but it is wisdom, collaboration, and constructive action that ultimately prevail. Rama could have boiled the ocean dry in his fury, but instead he built a bridge—stone by stone, with the help of countless hands. That bridge, not the threat, is what we remember the most.

When the entire world seems to be darkening outside us, the source of light is most often found inside. As new conflicts flare up across continents, the road for peace needs to start from within us. Among the many diyas we light this year, lets light one within ourselves. And let's spread this light within to the world around us.

This Diwali, remember that the greatest victories come not from the weapons we raise, but from the bridges we build.

Shubh Deepawali: Big Picture & Intricate Detail

The big picture learning from the Ramayana can be naively summarized into victory of good over evil. Many stories have this big picture learning. However, the part that makes the Ramayana unparalleled is the words used to describe each event, the smallest of dharm-sankat scenarios, the intricate detail.

Details matter. Even while making a common thing like a diya. Some diyas attract our attention instantly. Others do not. The difference is the detailing. Great artists spend a lot of effort in each step:

• first prepare the clay, 
• next shape, detail it into the diya shape, 
• then leave it to dry,
• finally fire it in a kiln and paint it

Each step may take several hours. When each is done right, then a strong & beautiful diya is created. The big goal of a diya is to spread light everywhere around it. But the intricate detail going into making it creates greatness.

The same learnings apply in other forms of art - such as a tapestry which requires intricate detailing to create a big picture. (this is where the name Tapistro comes from). It is the combination of easy to grasp big picture and the layers of intricate detail which make anything outstanding. 

This Deepawali, lets resolve to focus on the intricate details of our work while keeping the big picture in mind. Only then real magic happens. 

Shubh Deepawali!

Shubh Deepawali : Kindling Lamps

 

Kindling a Diya (created by Dall-E via ChatGPT)

A lamp once ready, spreads light all around it - from north to south, east to west, top to bottom. An important part of enabling a lamp to spread this brightness is the process of kindling or igniting it. A successful kindling requires a good quality lamp, the right amount of oil, and a batti (wick) with sufficient ability to absorb the oil. Once you have these ingredients, it only takes a few seconds for the lamp to be kindled by a matchstick, or another lamp.

Kindling a lamp is a zero to one, a discontinuity. Something which did not exist before, is now born and has a life of its own. It dispels all darkness, provides warmth, and comfort to everything around it. It is a special occasion to be celebrated. It is not just the end of darkness, but the beginning of light. The start of new possibilities.

This Deepawali, lets introspect and determine all zero to one possibilities around us. Lets focus on the ones which matter and get our ingredients in order. Then, we will be able to kindle our lamps. This Deepawali, lets end the darkness, create new beginnings, and start new possibilities. 

Shubh Deepawali!

Shubh Deepawali : Anchor Lamps

 

Anchored Diya (image source)

Lamps have been a source of light since ancient times. Each lamp burns itself but illuminates the world around it. It is the purest form of sacrifice. In today's uncertain times, the world needs a lot more light than it has ever needed in the past.

Lamps come in different shapes and sizes. Small lamps illuminate the area close to them. They are portable and can be easily taken anywhere. Somewhat larger lamps illuminate wider areas around them but may need some planning to move them around to the places which need to be illuminated. The largest lamps illuminate large distances around them. However, they need to be anchored in one place. They are not easily movable. 

In other words, in order to spread our lights far, we need to find the anchors around us. These anchors can be our roots, our families, our homes, our work, our purpose in life. Lamps which are anchored are able to illuminate far distances. They are the powerhouses of the world. This Deepawali, lets try to find our anchors in order to spread light far around us.

Shubh Deepawali!

Shubh Deepawali: Guiding from Far

 

Diya - Guiding from Far (image source)

A lamp not only illuminates the area nearby but can also be seen many miles far away on a dark night without binoculars. With a good pair of binoculars, you could see it tens of miles away. A lamp not just dispels darkness nearby but also acts as a guiding light for those far away. 

Lighthouses guide ships many miles away to be able to find their way. Airport runway lights guide airplanes to align their landing spots from far. Residents of Ayodhya lit diyas (earthen lamps) to guide Ram's entourage on a dark amavasya (new moon) - now celebrated as Deepawali.

This Deepawali, lets spend some time thinking about the diyas in our life who may be far away but are guiding us by spreading their light. Lets also light the lamps in our own lives knowing that the light emanating from it will surely guide many people - many of who may be physically far from us. A lamp not just removes darkness around its immediate vicinity, it also guides those far away struggling in the darkness. It enables them to find their way. 

Shubh Deepawali!