Celebration with a ‘Difference’

Heartfulness Story-37

It was 6 am, and I was still dreaming about my upcoming Diwali celebrations. Just then my mum called, "Manan! Get up!" Reluctantly, I woke up and started getting ready for school.

Friends, before moving further, let me introduce myself. My name is Manan, I study in standard 9 and, this is my story!

Of all the festivals, Diwali is my favorite. Do you know why? Because of the lights, new clothes, firecrackers, food delicacies, and holidays it brings along with it.

As I was leaving for school, my dad called out, "Manan! Do you want to go buy new clothes today?"

"Hurray!!" I screamed with joy. "Yes dad! I have already decided what to buy."

Feeling excited, I boarded the school bus. I felt restless throughout the day at school and kept thinking, "When is the bell going to ring?"

Finally, it was evening! I was playing in the society compound when Dad arrived. He had come home earlier than usual. I asked him, "Dad! Shall we go to the market? I am ready!"

"Yes beta! Let's go," answered dad.

Once at the market, I quickly collected all the things on my list and walked out with almost everything I wanted.

I was looking at the shops displaying brightly colored diyas, lamps and decoration streamers when suddenly, thud! down fell my bag as I bumped into a young boy. Lo and behold! All clothes fell out of the bag!

I quickly bent down to collect them. I noticed the expression of wonder and amazement on the young boy's face as he stared at my clothes and shoes. It appeared as though he had never seen such expensive clothes this close. He bent down to pick them up.

Feeling insecure, I snatched them from him and quickly put them back in my bag. As I stood there looking at him, I realized there was something different about this boy. His clothes were tattered; he had bruises on his hands and legs, and it looked like he had not eaten in a few days.

"Manan! Hurry up! It's time to go!" my dad shouted, waving at me. "Yes! Dad! Here I come!"

On reaching home, I gobbled down my dinner and ran out to play again.

While playing, I saw that same boy with his fellow friends around him. I noticed that all of them had weird torn clothes. Feeling bad for only a second, I continued playing. But, from within, I felt strange - I felt guilty about taking pleasure of having so many clothes which were overflowing my wardrobe.

I could feel my conscience pricking me, "Manan, please don't ignore this feeling!"

I started thinking to myself, "I have so many options for everything, some people don't have a single choice!" I thought of the boy I'd met today, it looked like he did not even have the basic necessities of life. My heart questioned me, "Didn't you see how happy he was on seeing new clothes. Can you still ignore all this?"

"I have so many clothes that I don't even use. Can I not utilise them in a better way?" I thought to myself. I went up to my dadaji (grandpa) and narrated the whole experience to him.

Dadaji (Grandpa) was silent for a moment, then said, "this whole incident reminds me of a shloka :

Asato mā sadgamaya

Tamasomā jyotir gamaya ."

"What does it mean Dadaji ?" I asked.

He said, "it's a kind of prayer to the Almighty, may I proceed from falsehood to truth and from darkness to light. The festival of Diwali reminds us of the importance of moving from darkness to light."

"What is the darkness within us," I was curious.

Grandpa said, "it is mainly our ignorance, our laziness, inaction and unawareness. We may still be aware of all our actions and thoughts, but are we aware of the love in our heart?"

I couldn't hold back and interrupted him, "how to come out of this darkness?"

Grandpa smiled and continued, "it can only be done when our heart is brimming with love and affection. Then we will be able to bring some light within."

The conversation with Grandpa gave me a different, renewed meaning of Diwali. With these thoughts, I was unable to sleep the whole night.

Next morning, as soon as I woke up I went to Grandpa excitedly and said, "I want to celebrate Diwali with a difference. I want to celebrate this festival with the children who do not have parents."

Grandpa agreed, "Wonderful, Manan! That's a brilliant idea!"

The whole family was happy to hear this idea, and we decided to visit, "Happy Home."

Finally, on Diwali, we arrived there with sweets, clothes and gifts. Soon enough, the place was filled with laughter, joy, bliss and celebrations. The innocent children were having a great time singing songs, sharing stories, cracking jokes, and playing games. Just then, one of the kids walked up to me and said, " Bhaiyya (brother), thank you so much! We've never had so much fun before. You've really made this Diwali 'different' for all of us."

I was overwhelmed to hear this from that child, and my heart became satisfied from within. Finally it was time for us to leave. We said goodbye to them, and promised to come back very soon. There was a strange excitement inside me while coming home, a condition that I had never felt before that day. It was the most unique experience of Diwali so far.

It was indeed the best Diwali I have ever celebrated!

Feel - I am grateful for the Divine Light present in my heart.

When the heart is filled with love, tenderness, softness and suppleness, we become so creative and so adaptable. We then naturally care for the rest of creation - Daaji

*Daaji (Shri Kamlesh ji Patel) is the current guide of the Heartfulness system of meditation.

Heartfulness | Daaji