Today, 18^th October, 2025, is Dhanteras, marking the onset of the 5-day celebration of Diwali. A Sanskrit term, ‘Dhan’ means wealth and ‘Teras’ signifies the thirteenth lunar day of the Karthik month. On Dhanteras, devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Almost all Indians buy gold, silver, automobiles, kitchen utensils, property and other precious goods for a prosperous future.

Health – Your True Wealth

Interestingly, Lord Dhanvantri is the Hindu god of medicine, revered as a divine physician and founder of Ayurveda.  Reverence to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras is an apt reminder that our true wealth is our health. Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes happiness, prosperity and abundance, while Lord Kubera is known as the giver of wealth. Interestingly, the Vedas portray Kubera not as a deity but as a spirit linked with greed and distortion, warning against the excesses of wealth. The message is timeless – respect wealth but prioritize health and wellbeing. True prosperity, as celebrated on Dhanteras, lies in harmony of body, mind and spirit, not material riches alone.

True Significance And Life Lessons Of Diwali

Diwali, often celebrated with lights, sweets, and festive joy, carries a far deeper spiritual message rooted in the Ramayana – the timeless epic composed by Sage Valmiki. Once a dacoit who killed for wealth, Valmiki’s transformation into a sage reminds us that true enlightenment comes from turning darkness into light and ignorance into wisdom. Similarly, Lord Rama’s journey through exile, as narrated in the Ramayana, mirrors life’s alternating cycles of trials and triumphs, sorrow and joy, darkness and illumination.

This Diwali, let every lamp you light symbolize more than decoration… let it represent the dispelling of ignorance, arrogance and negative emotions. As your home glows with diyas, let your mind shine too – with faith, compassion, understanding and unity.

The festival commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, a period marked not only by struggle but by obedience, patience and sacrifice. His journey teaches that personal hardship often serves a higher purpose. Had Rama not endured exile, the epic battle against Ravana, symbolizing the ten vices, would never have taken place. In overcoming Ravana, Rama reminds us to perform our duties diligently and let destiny unfold, whether in times of trial or triumph.

Among the most touching tales of devotion is that of Shabari, who waited years for Rama’s arrival. When he finally visited, she offered fruits she had already tasted – to ensure they were sweet enough for him. Her humble offering shows that divine grace flows not from wealth or status but from purity of heart and sincerity of devotion. Hanuman’s unwavering faith further exemplifies selfless service. His devotion enabled him to perform the impossible – lifting the Dronagiri mountain to bring the life-restoring Sanjeevani herb for Lakshmana. Similarly, Sita’s resilience, purity and courage through captivity remind us that strength lies in steadfastness and virtue.

Diwali also celebrates the power of unity. Lord Rama’s triumph was not his alone – the Vaanara army’s collective effort in building the Rama Setu bridge to Lanka stands as a symbol of what unity can achieve. As you light each lamp this Diwali, visualize burning away anger and arrogance – the very flaws that consumed Ravana. Let your light be both – an offering and a renewal of wisdom, faith and inner illumination. When lighting lamps visualise the dawn of a new era of Dharma or what Zoroastrians refer to as Asha (Truth, Righteousness and Divine Order). Visualise the onset of Ram Rajya or the Rule of Righteousness.

The Revayat recommend that Zoroastrians should pray five Yatha whenever lighting a lamp. Let us remember that in the Yatha prayer of twenty-one words, we affirm to the effect that: “Just as a king or head of state acts according to his will, so also does the spiritual leader, due to his righteousness and other virtues associated with him. The gift of Vohu Manah (Good mind or mentality) is for those working for Ahura Mazda in this world. The person who acts as the protector and nourisher of the poor, accepts the sovereign rule of Ahura Mazda for the entire world.”

Rama Rajya is considered the epitome of good governance and justice. It is what Zoroastrians invoke in the Yatha prayer, ‘protecting and nourishing the poor and accepting the sovereign rule of wisdom for the entire world.’ Indeed, this Diwali, let us usher the light and righteousness wisdom and justice in our lives and create space for new beginnings.

Ushering Ram Rajya

Ram Rajya represents an ideal state founded on dharma, akin to the Zoroastrian principle of Asha. Mahatma Gandhi envisioned it as a just, moral democracy ensuring equality and compassion. True Ram Rajya, however, begins within – through individual transformation, where personal virtue and righteousness collectively shape a harmonious, ethical society.

In Zoroastrian theology, Frashokereti, or the final renovation and restoration of the world to a perfect state, comes close to the concept of Ram Rajya. This event involves the ultimate triumph of good over evil. According to Zoroastrian tradition, during Shah Jamsheed’s reign, the world enjoyed a golden age of prosperity, health and harmony – a time when sickness, aging and death were unknown, echoing the perfection of Frashokereti. Yet, unlike Frashokereti, which signifies eternal divine renewal, Jamsheed’s golden era was worldly and fleeting. His downfall came through pride – the same flaw that destroyed Ravana. Both remind us that arrogance and overconfidence can undo even the greatest achievements. The timeless lesson endures: humility sustains greatness, while ego and anger can destroy all that one has built, turning glory into ruin.

Ideal State

Plato’s ideal state comprised three classes: rulers, guardians, and producers. The philosopher-kings governed with wisdom and justice after years of moral and intellectual training, reflecting the ideals of Ram Rajya and Zoroastrian Vohu Manah and Asha. Guardians defended the state with discipline, while producers sustained it through agriculture, craftsmanship, and trade, ensuring balance and harmony.

 

Ram Rajya is about happiness

Ram Rajya is essentially about living in a mental state of happiness as also in a geographic state of happiness. Wellbeing is fundamental to our happiness and life-satisfaction. Wellbeing is a combination of factors that make us feel physically, mentally, socially and emotionally healthy. On the other hand, happiness comes from within us. It is dependent on what we think, feel, and do. This means we are not just a product of our genes and our circumstances, but we are active drivers in how happy we feel.

May this Diwali fill our hearts and minds with the light of happiness, love, compassion, understanding and unity! May Ram Rajya – the ‘Rule of Righteousness’ (Avesta Asha) – begin first in our own mind, extend to our family, friends, community, country and eventually to the whole world!