Diipavali of the atma' (soul)

[Seshadri Sridharan]

Diipavali festival

The 'festival of lights' - Diipa'vali - is nearly upon us (31 Oct 2024). This day is marked by joyous and blissful celebrations for one and all. The festival of Diipavali carries a sublime significance and is also a deeply meaningful event in the social sphere. Here below are Guru’s guidelines for how to celebrate Diipavali in our own units, as well as some of Baba's dharmic teachings about the inner meaning of Diipavali.

Ways to celebrate Diipavali

Baba has laid down specific guidelines for observing the wonderful occasion of Diipavali.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Diipa'valii: Once collective Iishvara Pran'idha'na and Varn'a'rghyada'na, illumination, collective merry celebrations, entertaining visitors at one's residence, and procession with ta'n'd'ava dance." (1)

Something for everyone - from young to old

Diipavali is a wonderful occasion for all kinds of heart-warming activities. Per Ananda Marga Caryacarya, we will perform our collective meditation and Guru Puja, i.e. dharmacakra. And that will be accompanied by a wide array of social arrangements: Hosting friends and family, display of lights, spiritual dances, etc.

Festivals like Diipavali are also a perfect time for collective meals, collective bath, games and sports competitions, distribution of sweets, writing contests, art presentations, musical concerts, social talks, spiritual discourses, kiirtan, and all types of other unifying events.

Our social functions offer something for everyone - from young to old where every person from every corner of society can participate, whether they be margii or non-margii. In this way, our Ananda Marga festivals cater to a wide-audience with a diverse array of interests and liking. All types of socially-uplifting activities may be held. Here Baba gives His guideline for the starting point of festival Diipavali.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "At the outset of any festival or social ceremony, the Sam'gacchadvam' mantra is recited, the purpose is to impose the common ideal on all. The love for the entire humanity." (2)

Signify the triumph of the sentient forces

In India, and throughout the northern hemisphere, Diipavali is the darkest night of the year; it is the ama'vasya' (new moon or nil moon) night of the autumn season. And the term 'diipa' itself means lamp in Samskrta. So the Diipavali function is a display which signifies the victory of light over darkness. Citizens and hosts create a show of lights in the sky to signify the triumph of the sentient forces. And this basic idea is outlined in Caryacarya.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Diipa'valii / Ka'rttikii Ama'vasya'. [The new moon of Ka'rttika. As that night is the darkest night of the year, the celebration with... illumination symbolizes the forces of light or vidya' (knowledge) overcoming the forces of darkness or avidya' (ignorance).] (3)

Baba's above teaching is about overcoming negativity with a positive psychic force: Overcome darkness by light.

Festivals & inner urge

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “People often feel bored with their humdrum lives, with their mechanical routines; thus a fresh start must be created through [[utsava [festivals]. In the Sanskrit language the meaning of the word sava is “to take birth”; the root verb sú plus al suffix equals sava, and su means “to take birth”.]] The substance which [[makes one feel that one’s body has been reborn]] is called ásava [an alcoholic drink thought to have energizing properties]. Similarly ut – sú + al = utsava [which means “festival”]. “Ut” means “above” and “sava” means “[[to take]] birth”; so utsava means “an occasion which gives human beings fresh inspiration to live a new life.” (4)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When people become tired and uninspired, when they can no longer look towards the future with hope, when their colourful dreams are shattered, at that time the sweetness of a festival brings new joy and vigour in life. Thus in individual and collective life, the importance of festivals is tremendous. One should always remember that festivals should be such that all can take part in them without any ostentatious display of wealth, and with an upsurge of their life force. And these festivals should be conducted in such a way that people take part in them from a spontaneous inner urge. I hope that you will make such arrangements so that all are attracted towards your festivals which will be more and more charming – and this will bring about your collective welfare.” (5)

Light the lamp of the inner heart

The following idea is from Sadguru Baba’s DMC discourse of June 1990, “The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order”: 

The external show of lights during Diipavali / Diipávalii is the outer presentation of the internal idea that we are to “illumine the inner heart with the divine effulgence of Parama Purusa.”

So the external show of lights done at our social functions is just to display the inner feeling of the heart - “to light the lamp of our heart with His divine love.” Because ultimately anyone can engage in the external show of Diipavali by lighting candles - but that is not the main goal. Rather, it is the inner heart’s lamp of bhakti which should be lit. So the real essence of Diipávalii - the inner Diipavali of the heart - is to engage in spiritual practices, by His divine grace. That is the unique aspect of this Ananda Marga festival.

Otherwise just to engage in an external show of lights is not our tantric way. Our path of Ananda Marga is based on the most sublime spiritual ideal. So we practice everything in a spiritual manner - lighting the internal lamp of bhakti by His grace. This is Diipávalii in our Ananda Marga system.

Diipavali of the atma' (soul)

Here again is the central idea of what Baba spoke on 03 June 1990 in His DMC discourse: Cult of Spirituality:

The darkness of the mind should be removed. 'In each and every house there is a festival of light, yet my home is dark', one should not say like this. Instead, there should be diivali (festival of light) in the home, and it is the diivali of the atma' (festival of soul).

And if you wish to see Baba present that idea in the original Hindi, here is the link to the video

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15HGfwR4Ay/

Our A'nanda Ma'rga Baba places great emphasis on the celebration of our various festivals. They are a time of rejoicing in all the spheres of life.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "You should make arrangements for different types of festivity on the occasions of the ceremonial functions of the Marga. Ensure that those who enjoy the celebrations also get thereby healthy opportunities for their physical growth, mental development and spiritual progress." (6)

We should ensure that in all our AMPS units, there is a specially-designed program for Diipavali.

Festival brings joy & vigour

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “When people become tired and uninspired, when they can no longer look towards the future with hope, when their colourful dreams are shattered, at that time the sweetness of a festival brings new joy and vigour in life. Thus in individual and collective life, the importance of festivals is tremendous. One should always remember that festivals should be such that all can take part in them without any ostentatious display of wealth, and with an upsurge of their life force. And these festivals should be conducted in such a way that people take part in them from a spontaneous inner urge. I hope that you will make such arrangements so that all are attracted towards your festivals which will be more and more charming – and this will bring about your collective welfare.” (7)

In our AM way of life, festivals or social functions serve a particular purpose. They satisfy a special need for the society as they bring one and all together. They help cultivate family feeling, cosmic brotherhood, and serve as a reminder that we are all one. Festivals strengthen the social fabric and bring social harmony and good feeling to all. They are a special way to help cultivate the feeling of 'one human society' and bring everyone close.

Collective social functions brings unity

In His 'Social Psychology' discourse, Baba describes the unique role and special purpose which social functions like Diipávalii serve.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Common social functions bring different members of society together and are, therefore, a great unifying force." (8)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Preservation of unity in society. If it is possible to enthuse the members of society with the following they will ensure unity in society - a common ideal, a casteless society, collective social functions and no capital punishment." (9)

Festivals, or collective social functions, are one of three or four specific recommendations which Baba gives for establishing and maintaining unity in the society.


Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Sutreshvara Deva

~ In-depth study ~

Naemittik kriyá & festival

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “Kriyá is of two types: Nitya kriyá and naemittik kriyá. Those actions which are essential for the preservation of human existence are nitya kriyá, whereas those which are occasional and done with some other purpose are called naemittik kriyá. For instance, eating, bathing, resting, spiritual practice are nitya kriyá, because without food, drink, bathing and rest, etc., physical human existence become endangered, and in the absence of spiritual practice human psychic degeneration is unavoidable. Hence, in the daily lives of human beings, spiritual practice is indispensable. Regular spiritual practice leads to psycho-spiritual parallelism. A sadhaka slowly and steadily advances spiritually and finally becomes ensconced in the supreme spiritual stance. Naemittik kriyá are actions which are occasional and done with a set purpose, such as employment, study, charity, festivals, observances, etc. Naemittik kriyá may have a certain value in human life but is not as essential as nitya kriyá.” (10)

Comforts of women during festivals

Ananda Marga Caryacarya, “Men and women are human beings having equal dignity. As the physical strength of women is less than that of men, the latter should always endeavour to save the prestige of women. As the mothers of men, women can claim this much as a right. Special attention should be paid to the comforts of women during festivals, at spiritual conferences, and on other occasions.” (11)

Festivals of Ananda Marga irrespective of caste

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “If the people of a particular caste are considered superior to other castes, economic injustice will be encouraged. In India, the so-called upper-caste Hindus perpetrate injustice on the Harijan community (the so-called untouchables). This has created a serious rift in the society. To eradicate this sort of social injustice, caste divisions should be completely abolished. In Ananda Marga, in the very first phase of initiation, a new member is taught to forget both their caste and colour. In the functions and festivals of a society based on caste divisions, the influence of caste prejudice is tremendous. In the collective functions and festivals of Ananda Marga, everyone, irrespective of caste, community or colour, can freely participate. In the society in general, the difference between castes and communities is given too much importance. Ananda Marga rejects these narrow sentiments.” (12)

Our festivals are for both young & aged

During diipavali, there should be various plans and programs for the children to enjoy this festival. They can engage in the arts, sports, music, spiritual practices, games, and competitions, and enjoy special treats etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Humans are social beings. So every human being likes utsava. It is the desire of all that they will rejoice unitedly. In Europe Puritanism failed in the end, only because the Puritans failed to care for the desires of the general public. They preached their theory only to a handful of devotees of knowledge.”
   “Ananda Marga is for the general public. So, considering the necessity of the general mass, proper importance has to be given to the Utsava in social life. Enthusiasm in a utsava is the greatest in the children, in the tender aged boys, in the youths and last of all in grown ups. In the programmes of a Utsava, therefore, you shall think for the children first. Their sweet stammering noises ensure the success of the Utsava. But whatever arrangements you may make for the children, the youngsters, youths, or for the grown-ups, make that there is no dearth of discipline even to the minutest extent anywhere. Let there be complete harmony...” (13)

Also for diipavali there should be scope for the elderly and aged to engage in various activities, share their talents and experiences, and be treated with deep regard and respect etc.

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A grown up man does not like that others should call him grown up. An old man does not like that others should tell him old. Do you know, why they do not like to be said so? The adults or the aged are nearing death. This means that one is drawing nearer death as one grow up and this is why one does not like to be told grown up or old.”
   “Taking this for granted regarding human psychology, you shall arrange for two or three items in the programme for the old to enjoy, so that they may think at least for a short time that they are not old, they have sufficient energy still left in them.”