Diwali: More Than a Festival of Lights – Discovering the Light of the Vedas

There is something special about Diwali.

Perhaps it is the sight of

lamps glowing outside our homes. Perhaps it is the excitement of families coming together, the familiar sounds of celebration, the sharing of sweets, or the simple joy of seeing a home filled with light.

For some, Diwali brings back childhood memories. For others, it is a time to reconnect with family, traditions and something deeper within themselves.

Whatever Diwali means to each of us, there is one thing we can all appreciate: the beauty of light.

What is the light of the Vedas?

When we speak of light, we usually think of something that allows us to see. The light of a lamp illuminates a room. The light of the sun reveals the world around us.

But the ancient sages invite us to look beyond what our eyes can see.

There is a kind of darkness that has nothing to do with the absence of light. It is the darkness of ignorance/ not knowing. And there is another kind of light: the light of knowledge, wisdom and awareness.

The Vedas encourage us to seek this light. They remind us that knowledge is not merely about gathering information, but about understanding life, recognising our connection with all beings and discovering the deeper truth that lies beyond the changing world around us.

The light that gives life

One of the most popular prayers found in the Vedas is the Gayatri Mantra

oṁ bhūr bhuva̱s suva̍ḥ | Pervading the gross, subtle, and the causal

tat-sa̍vi̱turvare̎ṇya̱m That life sustaining, resplendent

bhargo̍ de̱vasya̍ dhīmahi | divine effulgence, we meditate on

dhiyo̱ yo na̍ḥ(f) praco̱dayā̎t || may that illumine our intellects

It is a prayer to the divine light (Savitur), asking that our intellect be illuminated.

The sun rises every morning without asking who deserves its warmth. It shines on every home, every garden, every person and every living creature. It gives life without expecting anything in return.

The sages realised that the sun was not merely a source of physical light; it was also a reminder of the divine radiance and intelligence that sustains all life.

Just as a lamp helps us see the world around us, may this prayer help us see life with greater clarity and understanding.

Beyond the light we can see

In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, there is a conversation in which the sage Yajnavalkya is asked what serves as our light when the sun has set, the moon has disappeared and the fire has gone out.

The discussion leads us beyond the physical sources of light, towards the light of the Self – the awareness through which we experience the world.

The sun illuminates everything around us, but what is it that allows us to know, understand and experience what we see? What is the deeper light behind our thoughts, perceptions and experiences?

Diwali can remind us of something far greater: that the light we seek is not only the light that brightens our homes, but also the wisdom and awareness that illuminate our lives.

So, as we celebrate Diwali, let us enjoy the lights, the laughter, the food and the togetherness. But let us also take a moment to reflect on the deeper invitation behind the festival.

May the light of knowledge dispel the darkness of ignorance.

May the light of understanding overcome division.

May the light of love bring us closer to one another.

Wishing everyone a blessed Diwali