Diwali

Oct 28, 2008 Editorial

Tonight, the Hindu community observes Diwali, the Festival of lights. As with most festivals that are part and parcel of the ancient religions, the origins of Diwali are lost in the mists of antiquity.
One narrative that is very widespread and broadly accepted is that the ancient Indians, whose first civilisations were in the Indus Valley and Gangeatic Plains high up in the northern hemisphere, were quite discomfited by the observed inexorable increase of the period of darkness in the fall or autumn months. Fears would have been expressed that it was possible that the darkness could very well extend to cover the entire day, which would have been disastrous to their survival.
As in all ancient cultures also, there was a strong belief that the actions of man had a direct effect on the workings of what we now consider to be the “natural world”. They saw everything connected into one unbroken whole, tied together by the propitiations and sacrifices of man to the Gods. On the night that was longest and darkest, named by them “Amaawas Night” offerings and prayers were made to God in the form of the Divine Mother, Lakshmi, who was adored as the Goddess of Light and prosperity.
In mimetic imitation of that which they desired, they lit diyas that were placed in their windows, fences and roadways. Their entire village was illuminated. And from the next day, the days became longer and the darkness decreased. All was well in the world and in the cosmos.
Today, we learn in school that as the Earth revolves around the Sun, because of the shifting tilt of the former, the seasons with their varying temperatures and hours of sunshine are experienced, especially by those away from the equator. We learn of the “equinoxes” in which the sun “moves” alternately furthest south and then north. And the Hindu community knows this – and from very long ago.
But what has happened in the meantime is that the original rationale for the festival was transmuted into symbolism to convey the deeper moral truths upon which, as much as the physical processes, the continuity of the universe depended. It was observed that, just as with the darkness, evil, represented by darkness, also seems to increase inexorably in communities of mankind. It appeared that it was part and parcel of the “human condition”. Light, therefore, also had to be brought back into human communities in a conscious fashion through human action. Actions that furthered the harmonious relationships among the members of the society were deemed to be meritorious or “dharmic” and were the light that would dispel the darkness of evil.
And this has been the enduring message of Diwali, which holds out so much direction for modern man. The capacity of man to be a wolf to his fellow man is beyond question for modern man. We witness it every day in the world at large and in our own little country in particular, especially in our recent past.
It is the duty of all Guyanese, whether Hindu or not, to resolve to perform only those actions that would increase the happiness, or light, of all in our country. To push for narrow sectarian ends would be to bring down eternal darkness on our country.
Over the millennia, the celebration of Diwali became associated with many historical events in India, and these are also frequently invoked in the commemoration of the festival. The most famous one is the return of Lord Rama to the city of Ayodhya after fourteen years of banishment in the jungles of India. During his period of testing, he confronted evil in the form of Rawan, and defeated the latter with the help of those who were thought to be beyond the pale of “civilisation”.
One is exhorted, therefore, not to despair at the seeming overweening power of those committed to evil, but to do one’s duty steadfastly, firm in the conviction that if good men and women stand fast, good will triumph and light will return.

Happy Diwali to all Guyana!!!

Latest News

Diwali

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

GBA assembles elite squad for 2025 Caribbean Boxing Championship in...

PanAm Aquatics urges GASA reform, lift suspension...

Alimohamed, Motie stroke fifties as Harpy Eagles...

Mashramani Street Football Championships...

Fitness Express to reward overall winners

Amaya Milk Company backs One Guyana Mashramani...

Features/Columnists

The Opposition is engaged in self-sabotage

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Wanted – ten Guyanese true and trustworthy

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Diwali

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]