Diwali is round the corner and ALL of us shall pray to the Goddess of Wealth ‘Laxmi’.

I do not need to tell you why, but let me acquaint you with Her.

She is the Beloved of Lord Narayan, also popularly known as Lord Vishnu. And you may forcibly and/or by foul means try to keep ‘Laxmi’ with you. But She will not stay , for longer than She needs to, until you accord the respect to Her Dearly loved Lord Narayan, as much if not more, than that, you extend to Her.

According to the scriptures, sculptures and paintings that have come down from ancient times, if the God-dess Laxmi travels alone, she travels on an owl. If she travels with Lord Vishnu, she travels on the Garuda (Eagle).

MEANING of LAkSHMIAs a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is also called “Shri”, the female of the Supreme Being. Goddess Lakshmi means “Good Luck” to Hindus. The word “Lakshmi” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Lak-sya”, meaning ‘aim’ or ‘goal’, and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Also ‘lakh’ which means “one hundred thousand’ as a mon-etary unit in India, is the first part of Lakshmi’s name, symbolizing her blessings that pour forth abundantly.

AppEArANcE of GoDDESS LAkSHMIThe appearance of goddess Lakshmi is related to an ancient story. Durvasa the short-tempered sage once presented Indra, the king of the gods (devas) with a garland of flowers which would never wilt. Indra gave this garland to his elephant Airavata. Sage Durvasa saw the elephant trampling the divine garland and cursed Indra, for he had shown disrespect to the sage. The sage cursed Indra that he and all the gods would lose their power because it had made them so proud and vain. Due to the curse, the demons vanquished the gods out of the heavensThe defeated gods then went

to seek refuge to the creator Lord Brahma who asked them to churn the ocean of milk, ksheersagar, to obtain the nectar of immortality. The gods then went to Lord Vishnu, to seek his assistance. Lord Vishnu took the Avatar kurma (Tortoise) and supported the Manthara parvata (mountain) as a churning rod, while the king of the serpents, Vasuki, became the churning rope. The gods and the demons (under the leadership of the pious and wise chakravarti raja Bali both helped each other in churning the ocean of milk.

Laxmi and Diwali Puja

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Amongst the host of divine gifts which appeared from the ocean, goddess Lakshmi appeared and then choose Shri Vishnu as her consort, as only He had the power to control Maya (illusion). Because of this, Lakshmi is also called the daughter of the sea; since the moon also ap-peared from the ocean during the churning, the moon is called her brother. Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune, is Lakshmi’s older sister. She is said to have also arisen from the sea of milk.

According to the Vishnu purana, Lakshmi is the daugh-ter of Bhrigu and khyaati and resided in Swarga but due to the curse of Durvasa, she left Swarga and made ksheersagara her home. The reappearance of Lakshmi after Samudra manthan and her marriage to Vishnu thereafter, remain the same. Laxmi is the power and Maya of Lord Vishnu. In some places She is seen in two forms, Bhudevi and Sridevi, both either side of Vishnu. Bhudevi is the fertility form in which She is Mother Earth. Sridevi is the wealth and knowledge of Her which is seen with Narayan. Most people are mistaken that they are separate beings although they are one, Laxmi.

pHySIcALLy AppEArANcE of LAkSHMIphysically, goddess Lakshmi is described as a fair lady, with four arms, seated on a lotus, dressed in fine gar-ments and precious jewels. Her expression is always calm and loving. The most striking feature of the ico-nography of Lakshmi is her persistent association with the lotus.

The meaning of the lotus in relation to Shri-Lakshmi refers to purity and spiritual power. rooted in the mud

but blossoming above the water, completely uncon-taminated by the mud, the lotus represents spiritual perfection and authority. furthermore, the lotus seat is a common motif in Hindu iconography.

Goddess Lakshmi’s traditionally accepted vehicle, the owl (Ulooka in Sanskrit), is a bird that sleeps through the day and prowls through the night.

THE EIGHT forMS of LAkSHMIThe prefix Sri (also spelled as Shri, pronounced as shree) renders as ‘one who takes delight in Sri’ Lakshmi, mean-ing wealth, wealth of any kind. primarily eight kinds of wealth are established, associated with goddess Lak-shmi. They are:1) Ādi Lakshmī The main goddess 2) Dhānya Lakshmī Granary wealth 3) Dhairya Lakshmī ī Wealth of patience4) Gaja Lakshmī Elephants, symbols of wealth 5) Santāna Lakshmī Wealth of progeny 6) Vijaya Lakshmī Wealth of victory 7) Vidyā Lakshmī Wealth of knowledge 8) Dhana Lakshmī Monetary wealth

Any thing that need be affluent gets the auspicious prefix or suffix ‘Lakshmi’, or ‘Sri’ like Rajya Lakshmi (Wealth of Empire), Shanti Sri (Wealth of peace), etc. In modern India, common titles standing in for the English Mr. and Mrs. are Shri (also Sri or Shree) and Shrimati (also Srimati or Shreemati), as in “Sri Gupta” or “Srimati Mangeshkar”.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that Laksh-mi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy.

WHy GoDDESS LAkSHMI prESSES THE fEET of LorD VISHNU ?Goddes Lakshmi presents an example of an ideal spouse before the world. The supreme duty of a woman is described in the service of her husband. Second aspect of the message is for the people who want to get rich, that if they want the wealth, they must develop a devo-tion for the feet of Narayana, for Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) is to be found there and no where else.

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WHy IS THE oWL THE VEHIcLE of LAkSHMIowl is the vehicle of goddess Lakshmi. An owl can’t see in the day, Hence, Lakshmi visits the house of those devotees who only worship her, on her vehicle owl. And she visits the home of those devotees who worship Lord Vishnu first and then her, with Vishnu riding his vehicle Garuda. It also implies that at places where black-mon-ey is main, Lakshmi rides an owl. Such a wealth can’t be put in the service of nation, people religion etc, or in any worthy task, instead it is squandered in abhorant deeds.

The above symbolism thus: An owl is supposed to be blind during the day and a wealthy person without the right kind of intellect cannot see beyond his richness. Therefore whenever Laxmi (The Goddess of Weath) travels without Lord Vishnu she makes the person whom she visits metaphorically blind. However when the Goddess Laxmi travels with Lord Vishnu, She travels on a Garuda, which is the symbol of wisdom.

first Day : GoVATAS DWAADASHIThree days befor Deepavali is called Govatas Dwaadashi on this day the cow and her calf is worshiped.

Second Day : DHANTErAS or DHANTrAyoDASHI.It is the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word “Dhan” means wealth. Houses and Business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colourful with lovely traditional motifs of rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosper-ity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small foot-prints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. “Lakshmi-puja” is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. “Bhajans”-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and “Naivedya” of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. As well as Tulsi puja and kuber and Dhanvantri puja is done

THE THIrD DAy IS cALLED NArAk-cHATUrDASHI or kALI cHAUDAS oN this day yama deep dhan is done. This means that after sunset a lamp should be lith outside in the name of yamraja. By doing this one dispels untimely death and clamities. on this day Lord Hanuman and Goddess kali is worshiped.The katha related to Narak chaturdashi is ‘The demon king Narakasur ruler of pragjyotishpur ( a province to the South of Nepal) after defeating Lord Indra had snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother of the Gods and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the gods and saints. on the day previous to Narakachaturdashi, Lord krishna killed the demon and liberated the imprisoned damsels and also recov-ered those precious earrings of Aditi. As a symbol of that victory Lord krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king’s blood. krishna returned home in the very early morning of the Narakachaturdashi day. The wom-enfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then the custom of taking bath before sunrise on this day has become a traditional practice. In South India that victory of the divine over the mundane is celebrat-ed in a very peculiar way. people wake up before sunrise prepare blood by mixing kumkum in oil and after break-ing a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon king that was smashed by krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste. THE forTH DAy : DIWALI on the dark moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi puja is performed on this

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day. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen perform chopda pujan on this day on the new books of accounts. The day ends with a mega cracker bursting sessions. for 5-6 hours, every family burns fire crackers worth thousands of rands. Poplular fire crackers are sparkling pots, bombs, rockets etc.

THE fIfTH DAy : BHAI DHooj, NEW yEAr DAy, GoVErDHAN pUjA AND AANAkooT DArSHANThe day after the Lakshmi puja, most families celebrate the new year by dressing in new clothes, wearing jew-ellery and visiting family members and business col-leagues to give them sweets, dry fruits and gifts.

“Bhaiya-Duj”. It comes once a year - after Diwali. The name itself denotes the day of the festival i.e.Diwali falls on the absolutely dark night of Amavasya (new moon), Dooj comes two days after Diwali. Many years ago, in the Vedic era, yama (yamraj, the Lord of death) visited His sister yamuna(yami) and she put the auspi-cious tilak on his forehead, they ate talked and enjoyed and exchanged special gifts as a token of their love for each other and. Since then it became imperative for the brother to go to his sister’s house to celebrate Bhaiya-duj. on Bhai Dooj, the teeka is applied on the brother’s forehead. It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about raksha Bandhan (brothers day). Well this is sisters day. The sister usually goes in the morning and does the puja in the mother’s house, before the brothers leave for their places of study or work.

Goverdhan puja is the worship of the Goverdhan mountain that Lord krishna Lifted to protect the residents of Vraj.

Annakoot Darshan is where heaped food offerings is placed befor Bhagvaan in order to be blessed with boun-tiful prosperity and success.

LAxMI pUjAHere is a simple puja to perform on Diwali Day

on Diwali day use red kum kum past and make a swastika at the entrance of your home. Hang a flower garland at the door. Decorate the entrance of your home with rangoli.

pujaplace murties of laxmi and ganesha in a thari (Ganesha right hand side and Laxmi on the left)Light a Ghee lamp and some Agarbatti

Sip water trice recitingAum Madhavaya NamhaAum keshvaya NamhaAum Narayana Namha

Wash your hands recitingAum Govindaya Namha

Light a Ghee Lamp and some agarbatti

Using the mantar Aum Shree Ganesha Namha and Shree Maha Lakshmayai namha offer puja over the murties

Offer water Trice over the murtiesOffer Pancha Amrit over six timesOffer water once and wipe the murties and place in a clean thari on paan

Offer Kum Kum, Sindoor, Abir, Gulaal, Hurdee (coloured powders)rice, flowers, Tulsi and Durva Grass.

Offer Prassad, Paan Supari, Money, Some pieces of Gold and coins (Note the gold and the coins should be washed in pancha amrti and placed before Mother Laxmi.

kalash pujaFill a lota with water. Place a supari, coin, rice flowers, durva grass and mango leaves in there while reciting Aum Varunaaya namha. place the coconut over the top. and keep next to the lamp.

Offer flowers reciting the names of mother Laxmi over the kalasha

1) Ādi Lakshmī Namha 2) Dhānya Lakshmī Namha 3) Dhairya Lakshmī ī Namha 4) Gaja Lakshmī Namha 5) Santāna Lakshmī Namha 6) Vijaya Lakshmī Namha 7) Vidyā Lakshmī Namha 8) Dhana Lakshmī Namha

conduct aarti (See last page 7)

Bow down to your elders and parents to receive there blessings

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In the evening Deepmala puja is done. This is done at the time of lighting the lamps with ghee or oil, sprinkle some rice and kum kum over them reciting Aum Deepaavaliya Namha.Aum jyotis tvam ravishchando, vidhyut agnish cha taarkaah, sarveshaam jyootishaam, jyotir Deepaavaliya Namha.

Light 5,7,11 lamps from each other and decorate your home with the lamps after that.

108 names of Laxmi DeviLakshmi is the goddess of beauty, wealth and good fortune in the Hindu Mythology. Goddess Lakshmi is one of the most popular goddesses among the Hindus. Maha Lakshmi is the divine consort of Lord Vishnu and assists him with wealth for the maintenance of the universe. Lakshmi fulfills all the wishes of her sincere devotees. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to attain wealth, beauty and good luck. A special worship of God-dess Lakshmi is sought on the night of kartik Amavasya. Lakshmi Devi is known by many names. chanting of dif-ferent names of the goddess is considered as propitious. This list contains 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi with their meanings:

Name Meaningprakruti Natural WorldVikruti Many-Sided NatureVidya knowledgeSarvabhootahitaprada provider of Universal factsShraddha DevotionVibhuti prosperitySurabhi celestial creatureparamatmika omnipresentVachi Eloquent Speakerpadmalaya Sitting on the Lotuspadma LotusShuchi Personification of PuritySwaha Shape of Swahadevi Swadha Shape of Swadhadevi Sudha Amrut (Nectar)Dhanya Embodiment of GratitudeHiranmayi Golden Appearance Lakshmi Goddess of Wealth and fortuneNityapushta Gaining Strength Day By DayVibha radiantAditi Bright like the SunDeetya one who Answers the prayersDeepta flame-LikeVasudha The EarthVasudharini Bearing burden of the Earthkamala Lotuskantha The Divine consort of Vishnu

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kamakshi one with Attractive Eyeskamalasambhava originating from the LotusAnugrahaprada Granter of Good WishesBuddhi IntelligenceAnagha The SinlessNavadurga All Nine forms of DurgaAshoka Dispeller of SorrowsAmrutha one who is like AmrutDeepa radianceLakashokavinashini remover AgoniesDharmanilaya creator of Eternal Lawkaruna kindheartedLokamatri Mother of the Universepadmapriya The Lover of Lotuspadmahasta Having Lotus-Like Handspadmakshya Lotus-eyedpadmasundari Beautiful Like the Lotuspadmamukhi Lotus-facedpadmanabhapriya Beloved of padmanabharamaa pleaser of the Lordpadmamaladhara The Wearer of Lotus GarlandDevi The Goddesspadmini Lotuspadmagandhini Having the Aroma of Lotuspunyagandha Having Divine ScentSuprasanna Ever Glowing and Smilingprasadabhimukhi Emerging to Grant Boonsprabha one who is radiant like the Sunchandravadana Having Moon like facechanda one who is cool like the Moonchandrasahodari Sister of the Moonchaturbhuja one having four armschandrarupa Moon-facedIndira radiant like the SunAhladajanani Source of joypushti HealthyShiva The Auspicious oneSatya The TruthfulVimala pure, chasteVishwajanani Mother of the Universepushti All WealthDaridriyanashini one who removes povertypreeta pushkarini one with lovely eyesShanta peacefulShuklamalambara Wearer of White GarlandBhaskari radiant like the SunBilvanilaya who lives under Bilva treeVararoha Ready to Offer Boonsyashaswini The famousVasundhara Daughter of the EarthUdaranga Endowed with a Beautiful BodyHarini Beautiful like DeerHemamalini Having Golden GarlandsDhanadhanyaki Bestower of Wealth and foodSiddhi Ever ready to protectStraina Soumya Showering Goodness Shubhaprada Granter of Auspicious ThingsNrupaveshvagathananda Loves to Live in palacesVaralakshmi Granter of BountyVasuprada Bestower of WealthShubha one who is auspiciousHiranyapraka Amidst GoldSamudratanaya Beloved Daughter of the oceanjaya The Goddess of VictoryMangala Most AuspiciousDevi The GoddessVishnuvakshah residing in Vishnu’s chestVishnupatni The consort of Vishnu

prasannakshi With graceful eyesNarayana Samashrita sought refuge in NarayanaDaridriya Dhwamsini Destroyer of povertyDevi The GoddessSarvapadravanivarini Dispeller of all DistressesMahakali kaliBrahma-Vishnu-Shivatmika Holi Trinity Trikala-dnyanasampanna Aware of all, Bhuvaneshwarya The Supreme DeityHarivallabhi The Devine consort of Lord Haripadmodbhava Who Emerged out of the LotusIndusheetala who is cool like the MoonShivakari Source of all auspicious things

SHrI LAxMI cHALISADoHA Maatu lakshmii kari kripaa, karo hridaya men vaasa.Mano kaamanaa siddha kari, puravahu merii aasa.

Sindhu sutaa mai.n sumirau.n tohii, gyaana buddhi vidyaa do mohi.Tuma samaana nahi.n koi upakaarii, saba vidhi purabahu aasa hamaarii.

jai jai jagata janani jagadambaa, sabake tumahii ho avalambaa.Tuma hii ho ghata ghata ke vaasii, vinatii yahii hamaarii khaasii.jaga jananii jaya sindhu kumaarii, diinana kii tuma ho hitakaarii.Vinavaun nitya tumahin mahaaraanii, kripaa karau jaga janani bhavaanii.kehi vidhi stuti karaun tihaarii, sudhi liijai aparaadha bisaarii.kripaa drishti chitavo mama orii, jagata janani vinatii suna morii.Gyaana buddhi jaya sukha kii daataa, sankata haro hamaarii maataa.kshiira sindhu jaba vishnu mathaayo, chaudaha ratna men sindhu men paayo.chaudaha ratna men tuma sukharaasii, sevaa kiyo prabhuhin bani daasii.jaba jaba janma jahaan prabhu liinhaa, ruupa badala tahan sevaa kiinhaa.

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Svayan Vishnu jaba Nara tanu dhaaraa, liinheu avadhapurii avataaraa.Taba tuma prakata janakapura maahiin, sevaa kiyo hridaya pulakaahiin .Apanaayo tohi antaryaamii, vishva vidita tribhuvana kii svaamii.Tuma saba prabala shakti nahin aanii, kahan taka mahimaa kahaun bakhaanii.Mana krama vachana karai sevakaai, mana - ichchhita vaa.nchhita phala paai.Taji chhala kapata aura chaturaai, puujahin vividha bhaanti mana laai .Aura haala main kahaun bujhaai, jo yaha paatha kare mana laai.Taako koi kashta na hoi, mana ichchhita phala paavai phala soi.Traahi - traahi jaya duhkha nivaarinii, trividha taapa bhava bandhana haarini.jo yaha chalisa padhe aura pa.dhaave, dhyaana lagaakara sune sunaavai.Taako koi na roga sataavai, putra aadi dhana sampatti paavai.putra hiina aura sampatti hiinaa, andhaa badhira kodhii ati diinaa.Vipra bolaaya kai paatha karaavai, shankaa dila men kabhii na laavai.paatha karaavai dina chalisa, taa para kripaa karain gauriisaa.Sukha sampatti bahuta sii paavai, kamii nahiin kaahuu kii aavai.Baaraha maasa karai jo puujaa ,tehi sama dhanya aura nahin duujaa.pratidina paatha karai mana maahiin, una sama koi jaga men kahu naahin.Bahu vidhi kyaa main karaun badaai, leya pariikshaa dhyaana lagaai.kari vishvaasa karain vrata nemaa, hoya siddha upajai ura premaa.jya jaya jaya lakshmii mahaaraanii, saba men vyaapita ho guna khaanii.

Tumharo teja prabala jaga maahiin, tuma sama kou dayaala kahuun naahiin.Mohi anaatha kii sudhi aba liijai, sankata kaati bhakti mohi diije .Bhuula chuuka karii kshamaa hamaarii, darshana diijai dashaa nihaarii.Bina darashana vyaakula adhikaarii, tumahin akshata duhkha sahate bhaarii.Nahin mohin gyaana buddhi hai tana men, saba jaanata ho apane mana men .ruupa chaturbhuja karake dhaarana, kashta mora aba karahu nivaarana.kahi prakaara main karaun badaai, gyaana buddhi mohin nahin adhikaai.

DoHATrayi trayi dhukh haarini, haro bhegi sab thrasjayanthi jayanthi jay laxmi, kari shatrun ka nashHari dhari dyana nith, vinay karath kar jor.Mathu laxmi das par, karhu daya ka kaur .

LAxMI AArTIom jai Laxmi Mata, Maiya jaiLaxmi Mata,Tumko nis din sevat, Hari, Vishnu Dataom jai Laxmi Mata

Uma rama Brahmaani, Tum ho jag Mata,Maiya, Tum ho jag Mata,

Surya chanraMa dhyaavat, Naarad rishi gaata.om jai Laxmi Mata.

Durga roop Niranjani, Sukh Sampati Data,Maiya Sukh Sampati Datajo koyee tumko dhyaataa, ridhee Sidhee dhan paataaom jai Laxmi Mata.

jis ghar mein tu rehtee, sab sukh guna aataa,Maiya sab sukh guna aataa,Taap paap mit jaataa, Man naheen ghabraataa.om jai Laxmi Mata

Dhoop Deep phal meva, Ma sweekaar karo,Maiya Ma sweekaar karo,Gyaan prakaash karo Ma, Moha agyaan haro.om jai Laxmi Mata.

Maha Laxmiji ki Aarti, jo gaaveyMaiya nis din jo gaavey,Uraananda samata, paap uttar jata.om jai Laxmi Mata.

ESoTErIc SIGNIfIcANcE of DIWALIWhile Deepavali is commonly referred to as the “festival of lights”, the most important esoteric significance is “the awareness of the inner light”.

Beyond the physical StateIntegral to Hindu philosophy, is the affirmation that there is something above the physical body and mind which is uncontaminated, endless, and perpetual, known as the Atman. Similar to the celebration at the birth of man’s physical being, Deepavali is the commemoration of this Inner Light, specifically the knowledge of which surpasses

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to all. We often wait a long while to see the illumined Lord but when the aarati is actually performed, our eyes close automatically as if to look within. This is to signify that each of us is a temple of the Lord.

just as the priest reveals the form of the Lord clearly with the aarati flame, so too the guru revelas to us the divinity within each of us with the help of the “flame” of knowledge (or the light of spiritual knowledge). At the end of the aarati, we place our hands over the flame and then touch our eyes and the top of the head. It means - may the light that illuminated the Lord light up my vision; may my vision be divine and my thoughts noble and beautiful. The philosophical meaning of aarati extends further. The sun, moon, stars, lightning and fire are the natural sources of light. The Lord is the source of these wonderous phenomenon of the universe. It is due to Him alone that all else exist and shine. As we light up the Lord with the flame of the aarati, we turn our attention to the very source of all light which sym-bolises knowledge and life. Also the sun is the presiding deity of the intellect, the moon, that of the mind, and fire, that of speech. The Lord is the supreme conscious-ness that illuminates all of them. Without Him, the intellect cannot think, nor can the mind feel nor the tongue speak. The Lordis beyond the mind, intellect and speech. How can these finite equipment illuminate the Lord? Therefore, as we perform the aarati we chant;

Na tatra suryo bhaati na chandra taarakamNemaa vidyuto bhaanti kutoyamagnibTameva bhaantam anubhaati sarvamTasya bhasa sarvam idam vibhaati

He is there where the sun does not shine, Nor the moon, stars and lightning. then what to talk of this small flame (in my hand), Everything (in the universe) shines only after the Lord, And by His light alone are we all illumined.

Deepawali is a Sanskrit word coined from two other words-deep-which means lamp or light, awali-which means a row. Hence Deepawali means a “row of lights”.The “Diya” apparatus itself teaches a great lesson to the aspirant. The symbolism is most profound. The vessel (Diya) is compared to the “Body” reminding us of the basic five elements making up our physical form: Earth, Space, Water, fire and Air. The Ghee in the vessel is the “Mind”. The flame (Brightness) represents our spiritual consciousness. The brightness of the flame obviously depends on the purity of the Ghee.

conclusion: The purer the Mind, the more spiritually conscious we become; this is Divya Drishti.

We should not look at the Diya simply as only a source of light, but as a constant reminder of a process to purify our thoughts.

purethoughts> pure words >exemplary behavior >A True Devotee

all darkness. This inner light eliminates all hindrances and drives out all ignorance. It also makes an individual conscious of one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the ageless, endless, and inspiring reality The Soul. With the awareness of the Atman, come universal empathy, love, and the knowledge of the oneness of all things resulting in Ananda or inner joy or peace.

Deepavali commemorates this by means of celebratory fireworks, lights, flowers, sweets, and reverence. While the anecdote behind Deepavali differs from region to region, the spirit is the same; to exult in the Inner Light or Atman or the fundamental reality of all things.

Aarti Why do we do aarati?Towards the end of every ritualistic worship (pooja or bhajan) of the Lord or to welcome an honoured guest or saint, we perform the aarati. This is always accom-panied by the ringing of the bell and sometimes by singing, playing of musical instruments and clapping. It is one of the sixteen steps (shodasha upachaara) of the pooja ritual. As the light is waved we either do mental or loud chanting of prayers or simply behold the beauti-ful form of the Lord, illumined by the lamp. At the end of the aarati we place our hands over the flame and then gently touch our eyes and the top of the head.

We have seen and participated in this ritual from our childhood. Let us find out why we do the aarati?Having worshipped the Lord of love - performing abhisheka, decorating the image and offering fruits and delicacies, we see the beauty of the Lord in all His glory. our minds are focussed on each limb of the Lord as it is lit up by the lamp. It is akin to silent open-eyed meditation on His beauty. The singing, clapping, ringing of the bell etc. denote the joy and auspiciousness which accompanies the vision of the Lord.

Aarati is often performed with camphor. This holds a telling spiritual significance. Camphor when lit, burns itself out completely without leaving a trace of it. It represents our inherent tendencies (vaasanas). When lit by the fire of knowledge which illumines the Lord (Truth), our vaasanas thereafter burn themselves out completely, not leaving a trace of ego which creates in us a sense of individuality that keeps us separate from the Lord. Also while camphor burns to reveal the glory of Lord, it emits a pleasant perfume even while it sac-rifices itself. In our spiritual progress, even as we serve the guru and society, we should willingly sacrifice our-selves and all we have, to spread the “perfume” of love

flame (Spiritual)

Ghee (Mind)

Vessel (Body)

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A Shub Deepawali to all!

Shree Natha DhamShree Natha Dham

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SIDDHI BUDDHI PRADE DEVI, BHUKTI MHUKTI PRADAA YINIMANTRA MURTI SADAA DEVI, MAHA LAKSHMI NAMO-ASTUTE

o Devi, giver of intelligence and success and of worldly enjoyment and liberation (as well). you always have the mystic symbols as your form. o Maha Lakshmi, my obeisance to you.

Today, we have unfortunately lowered the status of Lakshmi Devi to that of a banker. In reality, her name stems from the word, ˜Laksh”, meaning,˜ the goal”, implying that she stands for the ultimate goal of perfection that human beings can reach. The wealth that she has to offer is of knowledge and virtues; a divine character alone can attain prosperity (material and otherwise) and peace. Homes are cleaned thoroughly in her honour, but we forget that a clean mind and intellect are the easiest ways to attract her.

Sweets (maintaining loving relationships), new clothes (discarding everything old), new account books (settling karmic accounts), fireworks (burning evil off) and other, interesting rituals prepare us spiritually for the New year or Age. The darkness of ignorance cannot remain; our deep desire to create a world of happiness will become a reality. The key lies in lighting a single diya - my own spiritual awareness - and then....

jyot se jyot jagaate chalo Have a blessed diwali Pandit Sachin Singh

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