Diwali is the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated to remember the night when Sri Ram returned from a 14 year exile in the forest after killing the demon Ravan, King of Lanka and saving his wife Mother Sita from this demon. The whole city of Ayodhya lit oil lamps in their homes  and throughout the streets to welcome Sri Ram, King of Ayodhya and Mother Sita. It is for this reason that we light  lamps (or diyas) in our homes during the festival of Diwali.

Sri Ram is an incarnation of the supreme Lord, Narayan (Vishnu Bhagwan). His story is told in the Ramayan. The  Ramayan not only tells us the story of Sri Ram killing the demon Ravan but teaches us many things. Sri Ram was a  perfect man and his wife Mother Sita, a perfect woman. Despite facing hardships in their lives they lived their lives  by carrying out their duties to each other, their parents and siblings without question or hesitation. They gained  knowledge from sages and despite being royalty they lived their lives humbly. Sri Ram’s dearest devotee is the  intelligent and strong Sri Hanuman who is the humble servant of Sri Ram. The Ramayan tells us of how good will  always triumph over evil. We should use the Ramayan as an example of how we should strive to be the perfect humans in life to each other and for ourselves.

 

 

Many times people report the feeling of divine help and strength when they come close to breaking point. Actually divine help is always there, but I am usually so busy doing things in my own little way that I only look for it when I face absolute defeat. The tranquil nature of enlightened souls comes from their ability to take God’s help constantly. A state of true surrender will lead to the feeling of victory in everything I do.

Anger clouds our mind and judgement, it causes us to forget and make us unable to see what is good.

Love dissolves hate. Kindness melts cruelty. Compassion calms passion. Cooperation evokes love and when we bow, others bend. This creates harmony.

The greatest good deed is non-violence!

Develop the habit of getting up early and sitting in silence. Read a peaceful thought and reflect on it. Write down some ideas about this thought. Return to silence, allowing these ideas to take root inside you. Share your ideas with a person close to you. This practice will help you accept and cope with conflicts and difficult situations. It will help you stay happy and peaceful for the rest of the day.

The biggest sin is bad mouthing people!

You don’t need to search for peace; you are a being of peace. Any time, any place, you can step back from your thoughts and emotions. Just withdraw into your inner being, a place of total peace and just be.

Ego and pride lead to ignorance….

Abundance is to see that there are endless possibilities before us. And at the same time, still see an incredibly rich existence right where we are. It is a feeling of gratitude for everything and everyone we have in our life.