Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by millions worldwide. Homes glow with diyas (oil lamps), fireworks illuminate the night sky, and families gather in joy and celebration. But beyond the external festivities, Diwali carries profound spiritual significance that the Bhagavad Gita helps us understand.
The essence of Diwali is the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. These are precisely the themes that Krishna addresses throughout the Gita. The external lights we kindle are meant to remind us of the internal light we must cultivate.
Just as one lamp lights another without diminishing its own flame, wisdom shared multiplies without being depleted. This Diwali, may the light of Krishna's teachings illuminate every corner of your being.
This article explores how the Gita's teachings enrich our Diwali celebration, transforming it from a social occasion into a profound spiritual experience.
The Bhagavad Gita repeatedly uses light as a metaphor for divine knowledge and darkness for spiritual ignorance. This symbolism perfectly aligns with Diwali's celebration.
"I dwell in their hearts, and out of compassion I destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge."
In this beautiful verse, Krishna describes himself as lighting a lamp within the heart of the devotee. The darkness of ignorance - not knowing our true nature, being caught in illusions, identifying with the temporary - is dispelled by divine knowledge.
The Gita describes different sources of light:
"Know that the splendor of the sun which illuminates the entire world, and that which is in the moon and in fire - that splendor is Mine."
Every source of light - sun, moon, fire, and by extension the humble diya - derives its luminosity from the Divine. When we light lamps at Diwali, we're acknowledging this ultimate source of all illumination.
The Gita distinguishes between physical light and the light of consciousness:
"That which is night for all beings is the time of waking for the self-controlled; and that which is waking for all beings is night for the sage who sees."
The spiritually awakened person lives in a different kind of light - the light of self-knowledge that ordinary perception cannot access. Diwali reminds us to seek this inner illumination.
The five days of Diwali (Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj) can each be connected to Gita teachings:
Dhanteras celebrates wealth and prosperity. The Gita offers perspective:
"Those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form - to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have."
True abundance comes from divine connection. While we may purchase gold on Dhanteras, the greatest wealth is inner peace and devotion.
This day commemorates the slaying of the demon Narakasura. The Gita teaches about conquering inner demons:
"Lust, anger, and greed - these are the triple gates of hell, destructive of the self. Therefore, one should abandon these three."
The main Diwali night celebrates light in all its forms. The Gita illuminates:
"As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge turn all actions to ashes."
This day celebrates Krishna's lifting of Govardhan Hill. It's a reminder of divine protection and gratitude.
The final day celebrates sibling bonds. The Gita teaches about seeing the divine in all relationships:
"The wise see with equal eye a learned and humble Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and even an outcaste."
Diwali is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. While material abundance is one aspect, the Gita reveals deeper dimensions of true wealth.
Chapter 16 of the Gita lists divine qualities as the true wealth:
"Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, straightforwardness, non-violence, truthfulness..."
These qualities - fearlessness, purity, self-discipline, humility, non-violence, truthfulness - are the real prosperity. They cannot be stolen, devalued, or lost to circumstance.
This Diwali, take inventory of your divine wealth. Which of the daivi sampada (divine qualities) do you possess? Which ones need strengthening? This is more valuable than any balance sheet.
"The senses are so powerful that they can forcibly carry away the mind even of a wise person who is endeavoring to control them."
The endless desire for more creates poverty even in abundance. Contentment - wanting what you have rather than having what you want - is the truest form of wealth.
While external diyas beautify our homes, the Gita invites us to light five internal lamps:
Light this lamp through study, reflection, and questioning. Let wisdom dispel the darkness of ignorance and confusion.
Light this lamp through love, surrender, and gratitude. Let devotion illuminate the path to the Divine.
Light this lamp through selfless service. Let righteous action shine light in the world.
Light this lamp through meditation and equanimity. Let inner peace radiate to all you encounter.
Light this lamp through compassion and kindness. Let love illuminate all your relationships.
The Gita's teaching on the three gunas (qualities of nature) provides a framework for Diwali's symbolism of light conquering darkness.
"From sattva, knowledge arises; from rajas, greed; from tamas, delusion, ignorance, and negligence."
The lighting of lamps symbolizes the cultivation of sattva. Just as we clean our homes before Diwali, we should cleanse our minds of tamasic and rajasic tendencies.
Diwali brings families together. The Gita offers wisdom for harmonious celebration:
"He who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, to him I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me."
When we see the divine presence in family members, even difficult relationships transform. This Diwali, practice looking for Krishna in every face at your celebration.
The Gita emphasizes the importance of giving:
"Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person - that is considered to be in the mode of goodness."
Diwali gifts and charity should be given with this spirit - freely, appropriately, and without expecting reciprocation.
Before giving gifts, pause and set an intention: "I give this as an expression of love and connection, not obligation. I expect nothing in return." This transforms gift-giving into a spiritual practice.
For many, Diwali marks the new year. The Gita offers wisdom for fresh starts:
"Abandoning all attachment to the results of activities, ever satisfied and independent, one performs no fruitful action, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings."
A new beginning requires releasing attachment to past successes and failures. The new year is an opportunity to practice the Gita's teaching on non-attachment to results.
Rather than mere resolutions, the Gita suggests sacred intentions:
"Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me, and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me."
Intentions rooted in spiritual connection are more sustainable than willpower-based resolutions.
Here are specific practices to deepen your Diwali celebration:
These verses are particularly appropriate for Diwali contemplation:
The Bhagavad Gita uses light as a metaphor for knowledge and darkness for ignorance. In BG 10.11, Krishna says "I dwell in their hearts and out of compassion I destroy the darkness born of ignorance with the shining lamp of knowledge." The Gita teaches that the soul itself is luminous (BG 15.12), and that all external sources of light derive from the Divine.
The Gita teaches that true celebration comes from inner transformation. This Diwali, focus on: (1) removing inner darkness (ignorance, ego, attachments), (2) cultivating the light of knowledge (self-awareness, wisdom), (3) sharing prosperity (dana or charity), and (4) purifying the mind through reflection and meditation. Light external diyas as reminders of the inner light you're kindling.
Both Diwali and the Bhagavad Gita celebrate the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance. The Gita provides the philosophical framework for what Diwali represents: the triumph of the sattvic (pure) nature over tamas (darkness) and the illumination of the soul through divine wisdom. While Diwali is a festival, the Gita makes its symbolism an ongoing spiritual practice.
Key verses for Diwali include: BG 10.11 (the lamp of knowledge), BG 15.12 (the source of all light), BG 4.37 (the fire of knowledge), and the description of divine wealth in Chapter 16. Reading these with family during Diwali celebration adds spiritual depth to the festival.
The Gita doesn't condemn material prosperity but puts it in perspective. True wealth is the divine qualities listed in BG 16.1-3: fearlessness, purity, charity, truthfulness, and so on. Material wealth is neutral - it can be used for good or ill. The Gita encourages earning honestly, sharing generously, and not being attached to accumulation.
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