Divali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness, and of knowledge over ignorance. Beyond the festivities, the lit lamps and the traditions we carry forward, this celebration carries a profound spiritual message: that of awakening the light that resides within every soul.
The various rituals of Divali invite us to discover this inner dimension and to give a deeper meaning to our celebration.
The Lamp — Symbol of the Soul and Divine Knowledge
The small traditional clay lamp represents the physical body, made up of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. The oil symbolises divine knowledge, and the wick represents the soul — that spark of spiritual light that resides within each of us.
In India, it is traditional to light one large lamp first, then use its flame to light all the others. It represents the Supreme Light, God, the source of knowledge and spiritual light. In the same way, when the soul connects to this Supreme Light, it rediscovers the consciousness of its true nature and can, in turn, illuminate the path of others.
Lighting and offering lamps thus becomes a symbol of sharing knowledge, of spiritual awakening, and of the light we are able to pass on to those around us.
Cleaning the Home, Purifying the Mind
Before Divali, families clean and decorate their homes. This ritual reminds us that true cleansing must also begin within ourselves. It invites us to free our consciousness from negative thoughts, limiting habits, anger, ego and other impurities that obscure our inner light.
Similarly, wearing new clothes symbolises our willingness to embrace new qualities and new ways of being. It is an opportunity to leave behind our old habits and weaknesses, and to cultivate elevated thoughts, kind words, and actions infused with peace, love and respect.
Taking Stock and Opening New Accounts
In India, merchants close their old accounts and open new ones at Divali. This gesture is also an invitation to take stock of our own actions and to settle our karmic accounts.
Every thought, every word, and every action contributes to shaping our lives. This is therefore the moment to become aware of what we wish to leave behind, and to start afresh on new foundations — with pure intentions and positive, generous, charitable actions.
True prosperity does not rest on material wealth or comfort alone. It is also built through our inner resources: our thoughts, our time, our energy, our talents, our relationships, and our virtues. In this light, Maha Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, symbolises spiritual richness and reminds us that we are the guardians of all the gifts and talents entrusted to us.
Sharing the Riches of the Heart
The traditions of Divali also invite us to exchange gifts, to share sweets and to offer our best wishes. Beyond material presents, these gestures symbolise the brotherly and affectionate bonds that unite the great human family.
The most beautiful gift we can offer may well be that of our spiritual experiences, our knowledge, our good thoughts and our good wishes. By sharing our peace, our love and our understanding, we can bring a little light into the lives of others.
Making Every Moment a New Beginning
Divali is far more than an annual celebration. It is an invitation to become, each day, a better version of ourselves — to renew our thoughts, to develop our divine qualities, and to check whether our words and actions truly reflect our values.
In the teachings of the Brahma Kumaris, this inner transformation is also linked to the coming of a new world — a world of peace, purity and harmony. For the transformation of the world begins with the transformation of each one of us.
This year, let us not be content with lighting the lamps around us. Let us also light the lamp of our consciousness, reconnect with the Supreme Light, and let our original qualities shine.
May this Divali be the occasion for a true spiritual awakening, an inner renewal, and a sharing of light, peace and love.
Brahma Kumaris
