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!
