Let There Be Light!

Dear Readers,

The effervescent Festival of Lights is upon us, as our nation comes alive in the merry five-day festivities – namely Vak Baras (Vagh Baras being a misnomer); Dhan Teras, Kali Chaudash, Diwali and finally, New Year. Each day commemorates different attributes, via deities, that lead to one’s evolution and spiritual upliftment. Most times, these bases get smogged out in the celebrations.

When the decibel of fire-crackers overtakes the volume of sacred gratitude; when the suffocating smoke swallows the soothing incense; when the true spirit of celebrating the essence of the victory of good over evil is reduced to mindless spending… then once again, we have missed the woods for the trees, even as blindly-followed rituals assume greater importance than the very religion that they were meant to simply garnish, in the first place.

Fun is essential, always! But celebrating the Festival of Lights under the cloak of ignorant darkness makes it more ironic than fun. When a mind is dark, it attracts negativity. It is closed, insecure and loveless, and it fights its best fight to destroy the only thing that can liberate it – Light. Such instances continue to unfortunately abound and garner attention in our Community – blinded, as we are by the darkness within, we sink to gloomier depths, pulling down others in our wake.

As Zoroastrians, we worship fire – the light of wisdom, the annihilator of all evil. May the divine glow of Diwali further fortify our allegiance to this Light.

Happy Diwali All! May Light and Love Rule the New Orbit!

 

– Anahita