From Ritual to Realisation: Why Celebrating Deepavali Every Year Means Ram Is Still Missing

Today we are celebrating Diwali. Shri Ram is coming home, and we are rejoicing. We also commemorate this day as Shri Ram's homecoming after defeating Ravan. Burning effigies of Ravana, lighting lamps, and distributing sweets and gifts are all part of the celebration for children. The story of Diwali carries a true message - if we attain victory over the inner Ravana, which is the ego, then Shri Ram will come home. Home is your physical body. You listen to the stories, follow the tradition, but do not live by the message; getting that message is important. The real essence is for Shri Ram to enter the vessel of this physical body, whereas a concrete house contains only His idol. Do you seek Shri Ram in murti form, or the living Shri Ram who came to Ayodhya? Only one of the two, Ravan or Shri Ram, can remain; which is why it is called Advaita, nondual; and the play of Ravan and Shri Ram outside is Dvaita, duality. Duality is within you and outside as well; on the outside, you may appear noble and religious, but who are you on the inside? There is darkness and filth; the light of knowledge has never been lit. Ravan means the ‘i-ness’ that dwells inside you, ie, ego.Ravan was a supreme scholar; he let ego take over ten times, which is why he had ten heads. Do you perhaps have an ego regarding more than ten things? Therefore, wake up! Ravana died, but has your inner Ravana been destroyed—the one who takes pride in being a doctor, officer, minister, star, or wealthy person? When Ravan comes out, Shri Ram will appear inside as a form of consciousness. One who fails to manifest Him while alive will never meet Him after death. You may be the wealthiest tycoon, a minister, a celebrity, or a president, but the scriptures declare that you will face the punishments of the 8.4 million life forms; you could become a bug, a tree, a mountain, a bird, or an animal, but you will not find Shri Ram. When you approach death, a black body will come out as Ravana, and you are stuck in the cycle of birth and death; in other words, your human birth went in vain.On Deepavali, you light lamps and spread brightness, and you may do some cleaning, but if the trash of ego remains within, Shri Ram will not enter.The external Shri Ram is symbolic, asking us to keep Him in the garland of our breath, just as Hanuman tore his chest open to show his devotion that Shri Ram’s name beats within his heart. In Ayodhya, when Sita gifted a necklace of nine precious gems to Hanuman, he discarded it, asking, “Where is Shri Ram in this? What will I do with it?” When asked to show whether Shri Ram resides within him, he said that each breath recites Shri Ram as a rosary; he no longer needs an external rosary. When Shri Ram asked Him about his wish, he said, “My lord! If you want to grant me a wish, let it be solely this: to remain at your lotus feet eternally, in this life and beyond.” God said, “So be it” (tathastu), and that is why Hanuman is always found alongside Shri Ram today. Have you ever asked to remain at the lotus feet of Shri Ram for infinity?If you choose Shri Ram, then Ravana, i.e. ‘I’, gold, silver, bunglows, cars, wealth will not accompany you. You have to choose between the two; tell me, what will you choose? You have become a beggar for wealth. Ravan in the form of ‘i-me-mine’ has occupied all the space within. Thoughts of my home, my car, my family, etc, are always running through you. This is an artificial Deepavali that you are celebrating; the true Deepavali will be when Shri Ram manifests in you.Celebrating Deepawali year after year simply means Ram has not yet taken root in your heart; whoever truly embraces Ram never lets Him go. For them, every moment is Deepavali; they are not dependent on any specific day. It is Diwali and Shri Ram has arrived, but people worship Goddess Lakshmi expecting her to arrive. Goddess Lakshmi also laughs, watching people visit the temple and bow before Shri Ram's murti, yet ask me for material wealth like a bungalow or a car. Today is the day to wake up; we must.The unhappiness within is the biggest darkness; it is a dark moon night (amavasya). The flame of light is ready to be lit, but unfortunately, the bowl of ego clouds it. Once the barrier is lifted, the divine light appears. You may call this flame Goddess Lakshmi, Shri Ram, Shri Krishn, Guru Nanak Dev, Buddha, Mahavira, or Kabir.You are not this mortal body; awaken the flame of your true Self inside this mortal, clay physical body. It’s great that you are celebrating Deepavali. Have fun! Maya is to be enjoyed, but if you do not absorb its inner message and awaken the living Shri Ram within as inner radiance, then, in the end, one will be left with regret. Hence, wake up, or it will be too late.MAAsterG’s wisdom is available on his YouTube channels, ‘MAAsterG’ and ‘GOD HOME JOURNEY.'