DEEPAWALI GREETINGS

YOG KSHEM VAHAMYA HUM

It's Diwali time again. As Diwali comes closer, wave of uniqueness flows in our mind and body. An atmosphere of festivity is clearly visible in our home. Elders begin preparation for Diwali by cleaning house and the young ones are busy in preparing the shopping list of new clothes, firecrackers etc. for themselves. And of course, how can we forget Goddess Laxmi in such a wonderful atmosphere of joy and happiness. After all we are offering all our rituals and prayers to get her blessings.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna said to Arjuna in Geeta:

"Ananyaschintayaeto mam ye janah paryupasate|

Tesham Nityabhiyuktanam Yogkshem Vahamyaham|| (9:22)

(Any one who worship me with full devotion and always thinking of me at all time, I take full responsibility for his Yoga (to get what he does not have) and Kshem (to protect what he has).

Hence we worship our Lord during various festivals all year around and we hope that in return God will take full responsibilities of our needs and our problems. But it does not work that way because Bhagwan Krishna also said to Arjuna in Gita that God never take consequences of your good and bad deeds. Everyone has to accept the results of their deeds.

 Jagadguru Shankaracharya  in "Bhaj Govindam" has also said:

"Kuru te Ganga Sagar Gamanam, Vrat Paripalan-mathava Danam;

 Gnan vihinam Sarv maten muktim na bhjati janm saten||"

(One may take bath in holy Ganga, do tapa or charity but if one is doing all these without understanding why one is doing then even after 100 rebirth, one cannot get liberation form birth and death cycle.)

Bhagwan Shri Krishna also said: "whoever shall worship me with full devotion is my best devotee"

We must ensure that on the auspicious festival of Diwali our prayers and offerings are not merely become an act of offering only but it is being done with full devotion.

In our prayers we must feel the presence of Goddess Laxmi in our house. We must feel being blessed to be given an opportunity to serve Mother Laxmi with our full devotion.

We should not ask anything from her for Mother knows what her child needs. Because that is what Lord Krishna said that if you worship me with full devotion, then I shall take responsibility of your "Yog Kshem".

We only have to have full faith in our prayer then Lord will also stand by His divine word of promise.

May this auspicious Deepawali brings health and happiness, prosperity and rewarding to mankind all over the world.

- Manhar Narsey