Understanding the symbolism of lights

Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

Lord Krishna slew the demon Naraka-sura, to bring him to justice, for his acts against the society, including the devas. Lord Krishna said, as this day, justice prevailed, and darkness ended, let us celebrate this day each year with colourful lights. And thus, Diwali was celebrated.

Every religious festival or event has some teachings which are applicable in our day to day life. When you do good for society, it gives you back, with utmost love and care.

Here, the demon is symbolic of all the negativity that we carry within us - anger, fear, hatred and other devastating emotions. Krishna represents the awareness and possibility that we hold within ourselves to destroy these disconcerting aspects of ourselves.

The Bhagavad Gita quotes Krishna, saying: “Those who overcome the impulses of lust and anger which arise in the body are made whole and live in joy, and find their joy and light completely within themselves.” Once these “dark” aspects are destroyed, joy, happiness and light are a natural outpouring from within us.

Also, on similar lines, one of the most famous quotes of Swami Vivekananda states: “All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.”

So, it is really up to us to take our hands off our eyes and experience the light.

This is symbolically represented by the tradition of lighting lamps during the festival. By lighting these lamps, we dispel the darkness, just as we can light the lamp of clarity within, to dispel the darkness of ignorance.

Let us all, light the lamp of togetherness, justice and knowledge within ourselves, as we dispel the darkness within.