Diwali: The Return of the King

So today, Saturday, is my favorite holiday: Diwali. I mean no disrespect to the notions of other holidays, of whatever religious system they come from, but I can not imagine any day being more important than Diwali. It truly symbolizes to me the greatest day.

Diwali is known as the "Festival of Lights". It is not just a holiday in the Astika tradition, but also in the Nastika traditions like Jainism, and Sikhism (though it can be argued that Sikhism is Astika, but that is for a different day). It is the day when Lord Rama returns from his Jungle exile after killing the evil-King Ravana (but in true Dharmic tradition, Ravana was not really evil, but rather his pride and power had corrupted him).

Since Lord Rama is considered one of the avatara's of Vishnu, and since the Ramayana is considered an Itihasa but with allegorical concepts where Lord Rama is portrayed as the "Righteous Man", it is safe to say that Diwali is one of the most holy and important days in the Dharmic traditions.

And in that vane it is not surprising to know that Diwali is celebrated by billions all over the World. Not just by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains etc. in India, and the Desi Diaspora, but also in Buddhist Thailand, in Muslim Malaysia, in Communist Viet-Nam, and Cambodia etc. The story of Lord Rama is arguably the most popular religious story in the World. Even the Chinese, with their Monkey King stories share in the victory of Lord Rama, for Hanuman (who the Monkey King is based on) was his most trusted ally and soldier.

For Sikhs, Diwali is also important as it was the day Sri Guru Hargobindji was released from Gwalior prison. He told the Mughal emperor that he would only leave if the other 52 unjust prisoners were released as well. The Emperor responded that he could take with him only "those who could hold onto his robes". Thus a special robe with 52 threads was made, and all 53 prisoners walked out.

For Jains, Diwali is considered the day when the Mahavira Jina reaches Moksha.

Thus, in all three traditions, as well as other traditions, Diwali is celebrated as the victory of "good over evil". Lights and lamps are lit as a sign of hope for mankind. Fireworks are often lit as well.

Diwali is also considered the Hindu "New Year's Day" (though it must be said that many of the sub-ethnicities have other days as well...for example, Punjabis consider April 13th to be their New Years as well), and thus, much like how Lord Rama's return is a culmination of his "exile", so Diwali is a celebration of the end of one year, and the beginning of another.

Growing up, I loved (and still do!) going to my cousins' place and lighting candles all over the house, after we lit up our place. Unfortunately this had to be preceeded by a house-cleaning (which wasn't always as much fun! lol). We would set off fire-crackers, or light the house, and just have fun all together. We would get presents, which for a kid, was ALWAYS a good thing.

Moreover, what Indian kid doesn't remember growing up and watching the Ramayana. ALL 52 hours of it!!! Twenty-six, 2-hour episodes of pure magic they were to me. Watching Lord Rama accept exile. Watching Sri Hanuman fight in Sri Lanka. Seeing the Bandaras join Lord Rama's army (watching the first ever human-reported assassination!). Watching Lord Rama tell Lakshman "to kneel beside him as he lays dieing" after killing Ravana, for he knew that Ravana deep down was a wise man who could impart much knowledge during his last moments of life.

The Ramayana (or as the Thai call it the Ramakien) was part magic/myth, part culture, part great story telling, part religion and part spirituality.

Now that I'm much older, I think I recognize the value and importance of this holiday even more. Lord Rama is the righteous King, a King who rules by the law of Dharma (or as the founding fathers of America called it: "the Laws of Nature, and Natures Law").

It is Dharma that this World needs now. Corporate greed-induced wars, are not Dharma. Self-indulgence is not Dharma. Unjust violence is not Dharma. Using Love as a form of Hatred is not Dharma. Forced conversions are not Dharma. Domestic Violence is not Dharma. Suicide Bombing is (usually) not Dharma. Rampant Consumerism is not Dharma. The World is full of a-Dharma, and the ways of the a-Dharmic belief-systems (a- being a Sanskrit prefix to denote something that is counter to the subject), and on this Diwali, as the new year dawns, let us remember that good must triumph, and that Dharma must be restored. Let us hope and pray that this year, the King will slay the evil Ravana, and return again. :)