Diipavali – Festival of Lights at Morningstar!

The old Diipavali story comes from the celebration of the victory of Satyabhama, the wife of Krsna, who saved her entire kingdom in Krsna's absence from the ruler Narakasura, who had tried to invade it. The brave queen led the troops in a surprise attack on the evening of the new moon and won. On her return home, the villagers lit her way by lighting clay lamps along the road.

However, the true spiritual essence of the Diipavali celebration is, in fact, the victory of light over darkness. Light disperses the darkness of ignorance and allows us to find our own way. For those who follow their spiritual path, the moment of initiation is called Diiksa – and the first part of the word comes from Diipani, which means torch, because initiation throws light on our spiritual path and guides us forward.

When we are initiated and receive the mantra, it is as if we received a precious seed. But for the seed to sprout, it needs care and the right environment to awaken the vitality sheltered within.

Similarly, simply repeating the mantra, without awakening the inner vibration of love in our hearts, does not automatically lead to spiritual progress. We must cultivate this practice and, most importantly, the devotion that nourishes it with care and attention.

To awaken that inner vibration, try repeating the universal mantra "Baba Nam Kevalam" or your own "Ista mantra" (if you have received diiksa) very slowly in the mind, letting its sound fill you to saturation with its vibration and meaning – that infinite love which is your inner essence and the essence of everything in the universe – that you are surrounded by infinite and luminous consciousness. In fact, a mantra is not simply repeated continuously, but sung – it is actually a song that you sing to the infinite Love within you.

Here is a song composed by the spiritual master Shrii Shrii Annandamurtii for Diipavali, which we will sing together at Morningstar on Thursday. In this song, the mantra is symbolic and speaks about how love is received in the soul and mind through rhythm, dance and song.

DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU

TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’ 2

ESO TUMI HRIDI MÁJHE, NITI NITI NAVA SÁJE

DHIIRE DHIIRE PHELIYÁ CARAN’

DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU

TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’

ESO TUMI MANA MÁJHE, ÁRO GÁNE ÁRO NÁCE

MRIDU HÁSI KARI VIKIRAN’

DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU

TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’

ESO TUMI BHÁVA LOKE, CHANDE O NAVÁLOKE

JÁGÁYE MOHAN SPANDAN

DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU

TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’

I have arranged the light to receive you, Love,

Come now and find your abode in my heart,

With slow steps, in brand-new garments.

Come into my mind with more songs

and more dances,

radiating your tender smile.

Come into my mind through rhythm and delight

Scattering your enchanting vibration.