Deepam Param

Sights and sounds

As crackers light and fireworks flower around

In celebration of this festival of lights

I remember the verse

Deepam Jyoti Param Brahma Deepam Sarvam Tamopaham

Deepena Shashwate Sarvam Sandhya Deepam Namostute

Light is the manifestation of the supreme brahman

Light dispels all darkness around

By the light everything gains permanence

That light of unity of the yin and the yang

I worship with hands together.

Shubham Karoti Kalyanam Arogyam Dhanasampadaha

Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya Deepajyotir Namostute

That light which grants auspiciousness and success

That light which keeps me healthy and bestows wealth

That light which destroys all the negative thoughts in my mind

That light of the lamp I salute with hands together.

Light each cracker that may burst with all the darkest thoughts

Like a bubble that exposes the mind to consciousness

Light each flower pot that brings out the flowering of creativity within

Light each rocket that zooms the mind shooting to the depths of consciousness

Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati|

What you see that you become

See the light and become it.

Here the fireworks and become the silence that follows.

Taste the sweets and the savouries

So you are a combination of the sweet and the otherwise

Smell the fragrance of celebrations

That take you to the depths of your being

Hug your friends and enemies

That you know that you and the other are just one

Consciousness and that's it! - Swahilya Shambhavi.