From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
– Prayer from the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad
Dewali, also referred to by other names, is a festival of celebration that comes from the Hindu tradition. The festival typically lasts five days and celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. In my university years I can remember attending celebrations at a friend’s home on the evening of the third day known as “Lakshmi Puja” of the festival. There were lots of candles, delicious homemade Indian cuisine, and music. Coming from my simple sombre religious upbringing that had in many ways maintained Puritan roots, this festival of religious significance was fun and spiritually uplifting. In retrospect, this experience was radically different from what I was accustomed to and captivated me in a way that my my own religious experiences had never done. It along with other experiences was part of what guided me along a different way in my life, encouraging me to explore religion and faith. This year for Dewali I did not attend any festivities, but as it passed on the calendar I was reminded of the need for festivals, the need for celebrations in each of our lives. The need for us to stop and see where we want to go. For now I am unsure where that “truth” is, but as I walk away from untruth, I am headed towards truth and some day perhaps I will see glimpses of what that is. Exposure to religion changes us, perhaps by helping us to define who we really are or are not, but also for encouraging us to choose between where we are and where we could be.
From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.