As the great visionary poet William Blake had observed in The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: “Without contraries is no progression.”

Contraries are an integral part of our existence, as we journey through the ups and downs of our lives.

Similarly, at the spiritual plane, while we experience the bliss of goodness and positivity on the one hand, the insidious lure of the malicious is often veiled and concealed on the other.

The veracity of such contrasting realities of life is emphatically driven home during the various festivals we celebrate throughout the year. But perhaps the most resounding affirmation of such contrasting realities is the festival of lights or Deepawali.

The celebration of Deepawali is indeed a true embodiment of contraries, as the illuminating sacred diya — a symbol of redeeming light — contrasts and obliterates the abysmal darkness of the night of Amavasya.

Figuratively, as the light of virtue and goodness triumphs over the looming darkness of malevolence and negativity, we rejoice in celebration of the triumph of the divine goodness over the dark and sinister forces on the earth.

In all religious traditions, light, an emblem of divine goodness, seems to be in perennial conflict with, before finally overcoming the ominous forces of darkness, ignorance and malevolence.

The emergence of light also symbolises the illuminating presence of God within all human individuals, awakening and igniting the deeper inner consciousness, fostering an awareness of the parochial realities of egocentricity, tyranny, injustice, corruption, deceitfulness and other ills which are to be triumphed over at any cost, notwithstanding the time and the pain of endurance.

It is interesting to note that Deepawali is celebrated worldwide in various religions and cultures. Countries, especially ones related to the Indian culture like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, even Canada and England, all celebrate Deepawali, each, in its own unique way.

Many of these countries observe holidays on this day as a mark of celebration. While the rituals of observance vary, the predominant structure tends to overlap across continents.

On the first day of this festival period, homes are cleaned and frequently, new auspicious objects are bought to welcome good fortune. From the second day onwards, clay lamps and rangolis (floor decorations with flower petals or coloured powder) decorate the entrance and various other parts of homes.

The third day is the day of main events as prayers are offered to deities, followed by fireworks, socialising and various feasts. The following day is most exciting for children, as it is customary to exchange gifts amongst friends and other family members. The fifth day, which is observed as Bhai Dooj, celebrates the eternal bond between brothers and sisters.

Deepawali celebrations manifest themselves in myriad ways in various religious traditions.

In Jainism, while commemorating the awakening of Lord Mahavira, Deepawali marks the enlightenment of humankind from ignorance to knowledge. Some Buddhists commemorate Emperor Ashoka’s decision to convert to Buddhism after the bloodshed in the battle at Kalinga and follow a path of peace and enlightenment.

During Deepawali the Sikhs commemorate the return of their sixth Guru, Har Govind Singh, to the holy city of Amritsar after his unlawful imprisonment by Aurangzeb, symbolising the triumph of peace and freedom. Many Christian homes are also lit with lamps at this time, symbolising evil being overcome by Christ the Light, ushering in benevolence, peace and divine blessings. A special prayer service, “Christ the Light of the World”, is also celebrated in many churches during this time.

Wherever it is possible, believers of other faiths are invited and verses from their scriptures are read out. At the end of the programme, each carries a lit diya to the dark corners of nearby spaces in order to dispel darkness and bring the light of Christ to all.

In south India, in Tamil Nadu, Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day of celebrations. The day again signifies the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated to honour the victory of Lord Krishna and his wife Satyambha over the demonic king Narakasura.

After waking up before sunrise and taking baths with scented oils, people visit temples or offer prayers to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Tamilians often decorate their houses with kolam designs. There is also the ritual called “Thalai Deepawali”, where newlyweds celebrate their first Diwali in the bride’s parental home.

In Andhra Pradesh, Deepawali is observed as Harikatha, a narration of the story of Narakasura’s killing. In Karnataka, too, Lord Krishna’s slaying of Narakasura is celebrated. Deepawali here revolves around worshipping both Goddess Lakshmi as well as Lord Vishnu.

In Kerala, there are many legends associated with Deepawali. The festival is celebrated as Lord Krishna’s triumph over the demon Narakasura.

North Indians rejoice the return of Lord Rama from his 14-year exile after defeating the evil Ravana.

In western India, the festival welcomes Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Ganesha, who brings success in business.

In the east, Deepawali coincides with Kali Puja, which symbolises the overcoming of darkness and fear of death through sheer faith and conviction in her immortal Shakti. Thus, in Deepawali, the underlying recurrent theme is rejoicing of divine victory over evil. The inner significance is that ultimately truth will triumph over evil and light will overcome darkness.

In the context of the nation, the theme of Deepawali is expressed very strongly in the national motto: “Satyameva Jayate — Truth will triumph”.

In the Bible, Jesus, who is God’s Light for the world, says: “I am the Light of the world, anyone who follows me will not walk in darkness, he will have the light of life. Also, I am the way, the truth and the life (Gospel of Saint John).”

Jesus the Light tells us: “Be the light of the world… be the salt of the earth.

Kabiguru Rabindranath writes: “Bhengechho duar esechho jyotirmoy, tomari houk joi; timirobidar udaro obbhudoi, tomari houk joi…. (Lord, breaking the door open you have come radiating, you are the greatest. Appearing humbly diffusing darkness, you are the greatest.)”

The aspirations characterising the celebration are summed up in this invocation of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28), recited by Pope Paul VI, the first Pope ever to visit India in 1964:

Asato ma sad gamaya… from the unreal lead me to the Real

Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya… from darkness lead me to Light !

Let us implore God who is Light, to dispel the darkness around us. May each individual radiate the divine light and make the world a better place to live in. Only then, will the true essence and spirit of Deepawali be actualised.

Mrityor ma amritam gamaya… from death lead me to Immortality.

Let us implore God who is Light, to dispel the darkness of our body, mind, heart, soul. Then free from all bondage we are free for his service, free to love and serve all by spreading his light. God has created us in his own image and likeness. As his children let us be his light and salt, bringing happiness and joy in the lives of others, especially in our poor, helpless brothers and sisters.

We pray to God of Light, O God, Bless us, make us your light, give us peace and prosperity, make us walk in your path, make us serve you in our brothers and sisters always and everywhere and bring joy to all.