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11/26/2007 11:11:20 AM
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Diwali or Deepavali as it’s known in Sanskrit, is celebrated differently in various parts of India and has different origins for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
For Hindus Diwali day symbolizes the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14-years exile during which he defeated the demon Ravana. The people welcomed him by lighting rows of lamps called diyas. It also is associated with the goddess Kali’s defeat of demons Ahiravan and Mahiravan.
For Sikhs the return of sixth guru, Guru Hargobindji, from captivity marks Diwali. The townspeople lit the way to Harminder Sahib – the Golden Temple – in his honor.
Jains celebrate Diwali to mark the day of nirvana of Lord Mahavira, when he attained the state of pure consciousness, infinite knowledge and bliss.
Known as the festival of lights, it"s a reminder for Hindus and Jains of the eternal inner-light, or self, known as the atman. They believe realization of the atman, considered to be one"s true nature beyond the physical mind, body and intellect brings eternal joy, peace and love.
Believers celebrate Diwali on a date determined by the Hindu lunar calendar. For 2K7 the date is November 9. The link
celebrating Diwali is for a video showing some of the activities generally seen on days before leading to the Diwali day.
The deep waters of Hinduism are not easily stirred. Ripples on the surface leave the depths unmoved. Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhist represent various facets of the Vedic culture endeared by more than 20% of 6.6 billion people of the world in 2007. Global population includes 20% followers of Vedic culture, 20% Islam, 32% Christians and 14 of 18 percent non-faith believer are communists.
For all global population Diwali essentially marks the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness, often represented by decorating the home with candles, lights and lamps.
Strictly speaking Diwali is not a religious celebration. Unlike emphasis of Diwali on seeking knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness generally speaking religions, any religion any where on the globe represent absolute certainties that stifles scientific curiosities and almost kills all originality of thought or mind. Elite traditionalists have made careers trying to lead masses to centrality of belief systems based on absolute certainties.
Any honest cleric will tell you there is money to be made by promoting religious beliefs to masses. Getting masses addicted to religious rituals and culture of traditions can lead to personal power and fortune. In modern times televangelists have amassed huge personal fortunes by exploiting mass communication media to reach out to masses addicted to religious mumbo-jumbo through motivational preaching.
The elite traditionalists and clerics promote religion to provide relief from hard-life to masses and then appeal to spirituality to provide a refuge from hardship. Lacking proper scientific understanding of common contagious diseases masses guided by elites and clerics took to superstition to soothe pains caused by constant devastations of life. Political opportunists aided by elite clerics routinely exploited misinterpretations of religion and absolute centric tribals for personal gains and power through territorial expansions.
Philosophically life is indeterminate uncertainties. The 20th century discoveries of the principle of uncertainty, relativity and quantum mechanics have challenged the credibility of absolute centric belief systems. The modern scientific discoveries are supplemented by advances in technologies benefiting mankind through access to digital technology driven internet and other tools of electronic communications, growth of biogenetics for improved healthcare services and agricultural productivity, and modern production and consumer product distribution system at prices affordable to masses, etc. The technological advances are stealthly promoting social engineering to consternation of traditionalist elites and clerics.
Masses tolerate elites, politicians and clerics talking of doing God’s will. The frequent reference to God – God has made us do this or that – may be irritating to some to say the least but political opportunist are never tired of it; for example in the fiefdom of Mushy Land the dictator Musharraf and his cabal of generals claim they are guided by Islam in suppression of moderate Pakistanis asking for democracy, political freedoms and fundamental individual rights.
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