Deepavali , also known as the festival of lights , celebrates one of the most cherished moments - the return of Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. But beyond the historical context, Deepavali holds a deep spiritual meaning that extends far beyond the lighting of lamps and the joy of reunions. It is about the journey of the soul, the eternal battle between light and darkness, good and evil, and the divine principles of love, union, and separation.
The story of Deepavali is rooted in the epic tale of Ram, whose exile left the residents of Ayodhya in a state of despair. They could not imagine their lives without him and wanted to accompany him to the forest. However, Ram convinced them to stay behind, asking them to remain faithful in their hearts. As he departed, the people of Ayodhya experienced intense separation, known as 'vipralamba', one of the two important principles that define the love between the Lord and his devotees. The other principle, 'sambhoga', refers to the ecstatic union of the Lord and His devotees. Together, these two states of being - union and separation - are at the heart of Divine love.
During his exile, Ram's younger brother Bharat came to Chitrakut, pleading with Ram to return to Ayodhya. But Ram, bound by duty, refused to break his exile. Instead, he gave Bharat his sandals, which Bharat placed on the throne in Ayodhya as a symbol of Ram's kingship. For 14 long years, Bharat lived in a simple hut in Nandigram and spent his days and nights in sorrow, crying for Ram, embodying the principle of vipralamba - complete and utter devotion even in separation.
When the 14 years of exile were finally over, Ram sent Hanuman ahead to inform Bharat of his return. The news brought immeasurable joy to Bharat, and when Ram arrived in Nandigram, Bharat's ecstasy knew no bounds. The entire city of Ayodhya was filled with joy as news of Ram's return spread. The people of Ayodhya lit lamps in celebration, welcoming their beloved king back after years of painful separation. These lamps were not just sources of light; they were symbols of the intense love, gratitude, and devotion the people held for Ram. The flames represented the hearts of the people, blazing with uncontrollable love after years of separation.
For Ram, every single lamp lit in Ayodhya was a manifestation of the pure love his devotees had for him, and in that moment, he reciprocated with boundless joy. This divine exchange of love and devotion is the true essence of Deepavali - a festival that goes beyond the return of Ram. It signifies the return of the Lord into our lives, into our hearts, after countless lifetimes of spiritual separation.
But the truth is, Ram - or any Divine presence - never really leaves. He resides eternally in our hearts, just as he never truly left Ayodhya. The only reason we do not feel His presence is because of our lack of love and devotion. Deepavali serves as a reminder that by rekindling the flame of devotion and love within our hearts, we can once again feel His presence. In this sense, Deepavali is not just about welcoming Ram back into Ayodhya; it is about welcoming Him back into our own lives, awakening our dormant love for the Divine.
Authored by: Radhanath Swami Maharaj
The writer is the spiritual guru at ISKCON
The story of Deepavali is rooted in the epic tale of Ram, whose exile left the residents of Ayodhya in a state of despair. They could not imagine their lives without him and wanted to accompany him to the forest. However, Ram convinced them to stay behind, asking them to remain faithful in their hearts. As he departed, the people of Ayodhya experienced intense separation, known as 'vipralamba', one of the two important principles that define the love between the Lord and his devotees. The other principle, 'sambhoga', refers to the ecstatic union of the Lord and His devotees. Together, these two states of being - union and separation - are at the heart of Divine love.
During his exile, Ram's younger brother Bharat came to Chitrakut, pleading with Ram to return to Ayodhya. But Ram, bound by duty, refused to break his exile. Instead, he gave Bharat his sandals, which Bharat placed on the throne in Ayodhya as a symbol of Ram's kingship. For 14 long years, Bharat lived in a simple hut in Nandigram and spent his days and nights in sorrow, crying for Ram, embodying the principle of vipralamba - complete and utter devotion even in separation.
When the 14 years of exile were finally over, Ram sent Hanuman ahead to inform Bharat of his return. The news brought immeasurable joy to Bharat, and when Ram arrived in Nandigram, Bharat's ecstasy knew no bounds. The entire city of Ayodhya was filled with joy as news of Ram's return spread. The people of Ayodhya lit lamps in celebration, welcoming their beloved king back after years of painful separation. These lamps were not just sources of light; they were symbols of the intense love, gratitude, and devotion the people held for Ram. The flames represented the hearts of the people, blazing with uncontrollable love after years of separation.
For Ram, every single lamp lit in Ayodhya was a manifestation of the pure love his devotees had for him, and in that moment, he reciprocated with boundless joy. This divine exchange of love and devotion is the true essence of Deepavali - a festival that goes beyond the return of Ram. It signifies the return of the Lord into our lives, into our hearts, after countless lifetimes of spiritual separation.
But the truth is, Ram - or any Divine presence - never really leaves. He resides eternally in our hearts, just as he never truly left Ayodhya. The only reason we do not feel His presence is because of our lack of love and devotion. Deepavali serves as a reminder that by rekindling the flame of devotion and love within our hearts, we can once again feel His presence. In this sense, Deepavali is not just about welcoming Ram back into Ayodhya; it is about welcoming Him back into our own lives, awakening our dormant love for the Divine.
Authored by: Radhanath Swami Maharaj
The writer is the spiritual guru at ISKCON
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