♥
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Hari Raya Puasa
Origins:
When Prophet ‘Muhammad’, the messenger of God which is also known as Allah, arrived at Medina, he found out that the people within the city constantly fighting. So, he set out to unite this divided city, to bring order and establish ‘Islam’ in the city. As the people began to grow used to the Muslim way of life, the prophet abolished all the animistic (worshipping and revering objects as having spiritual powers) festivals and told the Muslims that God had arranged only two festivals for them. One is ‘Eidul-Adha’ (Hari Raya Haji) and the other ‘Eidul-Fitr’ (Hari Raya Puasa).
Significance:
Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īd al-Fiṭr), often abbreviated as simply Eid, is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Fiṭr means "to break the fast" and therefore symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family is awake very early and then after praying the first normal everyday prayer, is required to eat in a small quantity, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held only for this occasion in mosques, in large open areas, stadiums or arenas. The prayer is generally short, and is followed by a sermon (khuṭba). Worshippers greet and embrace each other in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer. After the special prayers, festivities and merriment are commonly observed with visits to the homes of relatives and friends to thank God for all blessings.
For Muslims, Eid ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion with important religious significance, celebrating of the achievement of enhanced piety. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting, but also thank God for the help and strength that they believe he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control. It is a time of giving and sharing, and many Muslims dress in holiday attire.
Observances:
There are many different types of observances that are practised over the world. In Singapore ,Eid is also commonly known as Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya literally means Grand Day i.e. The Day. Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Eid like other Muslims throughout the world. It is the biggest holiday in Malaysia, and is the most awaited one. Shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Hari Raya, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country. Many banks, government and private offices are closed for this holiday, which usually lasts a week.
The night before Eid is with the takbir which is held in the mosques or musallas. In many parts of Malaysia, especially in rural areas, oil lamps or pelita/panjut are lit up in house compounds. Eid also witnesses a huge migratory pattern of Muslims, from big metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is known as balik kampung — literally going back to home town to celebrate Eid with ones parents. Special dishes like ketupat, dodol, lemang (a type of glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo), and other Malay delicacies are served during this day.
It is common to greet people with "Selamat Hari Raya" or "Salam Aidilfitri" which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "maaf zahir dan batin" which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)", due to the fact that Eid ul-Fitr is not only for celebrations, but also the time for Muslims to cleanse their sins and strengthen their ties with relatives and friends.
It is customary for Malays to wear traditional Malay costumes on the Eid. The dress for men is called baju melayu which is worn together with songket while the women's are known as baju kurung and baju kebaya. It is also common to see non-Malay Muslims wear costumes of their culture.
Once the prayer is completed, it is also common for Muslims in Malaysia to visit the graves of loved ones. During this visit, they clean the grave, recite Ya-Seen, a chapter (surah) from the Qur'an and also perform the tahlil ceremony. All these are done to ask for God to forgive the dead and also those who are living.
The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or serving visitors. Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day for children for on this day adults are especially generous. Children will be given token sums of money, also known as "duit raya" from their parents or elders.
Though this is true no ever writes the date of anything.Anyway this year eid is on october 13 2007.
10:34 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
♥ Monday, September 17, 2007
9:50 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
♥
Hungry Ghost Festival in S - 7th Lunar Month
For the Chinese, the month of the Hungry Ghosts - usually in the month of August - is the most inauspicious time of the year. Taoists believe that the gates of Hell are opened at this time, and the spirits of the departed wander freely about the earth.
Origin
Mulian, a filial son, finds only his father enjoying a comfortable life in Heaven. After searching, he finds his mother in the deepest level of hell paying for the evil deeds performed in her previous life. He saw that his mother had nothing to eat and tried to feed her, but the other hungry ghosts who had no one to remember them, snatched the food away. Mu Lian a devout Buddhist monk, appealed to the Buddha to save his mother. Buddha instructed him to prepare all kinds of food and make offerings to the ghosts on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Mu Lian did so and found that because the other spirits were satisfied with his offering, they did not bother his mother. Thus began the tradition of offering food to spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
Customs
As it is believed that the ghosts can become bad-tempered and destructive during their time on earth, offerings must be made to them. Besides burning huge joss-sticks and candles, Taoist believers offer cakes, fruits and sometimes an entire banquet to appease the spirits. Fake paper money - and sometimes even fake paper cars, houses and mobile phones - are burnt so that the dead spirits will be able to enjoy these comforts in the afterlife. These offerings are usually placed in a safe place outdoors to "bribe" the ghosts to not enter their homes. The community also comes together to organise outdoor street shows, which are meant to entertain the ghosts, in different neighbourhoods. These shows include Chinese opera and Ge Tai (singing performances), which in more recent years have taken the form of pop concerts. The celebration usually also includes a dinner for residents, the highlight being the auction of a wide range of items that have been donated by the community. The main reason for the auction is so that funds can be raised to make offerings to those spirits who have no one left in the living world to look after them. The money raised during the auction also goes to charity and subsidise the following year's celebration.
In summary, this is a time when the air is heavy with tradition and superstition (and smoke). Here are a few superstitions associated with the Hungry Ghost Festival.
• Don't move, renovate or marry during this period as it is considered inauspicious.
• Stay away from swimming during the 7th month as it is believed that the water spirits will drag little children into the water and drown them.
• Avoid old trees. It is believed that the spirits will hide there.
• Children are advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night when wandering ghosts might possess them.
1:52 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
♥
Deepavali
Thought One
Diwali is a short name for Deepavali.
Deepavali is the festival of Lights. The word 'Deepavali' is made up of two simple words, meaning 'Deepa' means light and 'Avali' means a row. Hence 'Deepavali' means a row of lights.
Diwali is a festival of the light which dispels the darkness of our ignorance and lights the way through the jungle that we call life.
The festival is associated with many legends and beliefs. One of them is to commemorate the killing of Narakasura, a notorious demon, by Lord Krishna. Narakasura, because of his previous store of virtue, had been granted a boon at the moment of his death. He asked that his death might ever be, commemorated as a day of feasting. Hence Deepavali is known as 'Naraka Chaturdasi' Krishna proclaimed Narakasura's son Bhagadatta as his father's successor.
It is believed that Narakasura lived in a place called Pragjyotishapura, which is known as 'Assam State' today.
What is interesting to know is that when Krishna wanted to wage war against Narakasura, Krishna's wife Satyabhama, who was adept in archery, wanted to join her husband...and she did.
The fireworks that are burst during Deepavali symbolize the use of fiery weapons used during the war that Krishna waged against the demon. Amongst the North Indians it is believed that Deepavali is the day on which Sri Ram returned from His 14 years of exile in the forest, after having got rid of various demons who made life hell for the sages and common people. Deepavali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and it celebrates the triumphant return of Sri Ram to His Kingdom. People rejoice by burning earthen oil lamps to welcome Sri Ram back to His throne.
On Deepavali day, the members of the mercantile community open and worship new account books and ledgers. This is because during Deepavali the Sun enters its second course and passes Libra, which is represented by the 'Balance' or 'Scale'.
During Deepavali, spring cleaning is done as it is believed that the Goddess of Wealth Laxmi would enter a clean and cheerful house. Plenty of long-lost items are found and a lot of dirt is removed from the house.
How much we care to cast away the rubbish that stirs up trouble within us, is a matter to consider. By lighting lamps in our home, let us strive to dispel the spiritual darkness that we seem to be seeped in, and let us make our heart a place in which Sri Ram may reign and bring about peace love and prosperity. A true Ram-Rajya, the All-Around Auspicious Kingdom of Sri Ram. Happy Diwali
Thought Two
The Flame of the Diyas
Diwali falls during a dark period of a year. While most of us pray during this time, negative practices are also prevalent during this time. The best way to dispel negative influences is to light candles, or as is the practice amongst us Hindus, Diyas. Why is the fire worshipped by all the religions in one form or another? Let me share with you what I have learned.
While water finds its level by moving downwards, fire does quite the opposite. Even if you hang a lamp upside down, the flame will rise upwards. Human nature tends to be like water, flowing to lower levels. The flame that we light reminds us to soar upwards.
As one moves forward on the Spiritual path, the darkness of ignorance is replaced by the Light of knowledge. The flame in this case is symbolic of this light which brightens as we journey within.
Tapa in Sindhi means fever. It also stands for fire and penance. Fire destroys the impure. The flame of the fire reminds us of the fact that we should cleanse ourselves of all impurity of our ego and attachments, until only the purity of our soul remains
It is said by Mystics that he who loses his ego will cease to be. The fire rises towards the sky and vanishes.
Not only does the fire vanish as it rises, but after burning the fuel, it becomes silent. Isn't that what we are meant to become after, burning all our desires and attachments to falsehood?
So this Diwali, as you shop for Diyas, ponder upon its flame's spiritual nature. It will not only beautify and brighten your home, but will remind you of the transformations that it is meant to bring within.
1:21 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
Hari Raya Puasa
Origins:
When Prophet ‘Muhammad’, the messenger of God which is also known as Allah, arrived at Medina, he found out that the people within the city constantly fighting. So, he set out to unite this divided city, to bring order and establish ‘Islam’ in the city. As the people began to grow used to the Muslim way of life, the prophet abolished all the animistic (worshipping and revering objects as having spiritual powers) festivals and told the Muslims that God had arranged only two festivals for them. One is ‘Eidul-Adha’ (Hari Raya Haji) and the other ‘Eidul-Fitr’ (Hari Raya Puasa).
Significance:
Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īd al-Fiṭr), often abbreviated as simply Eid, is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Fiṭr means "to break the fast" and therefore symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family is awake very early and then after praying the first normal everyday prayer, is required to eat in a small quantity, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held only for this occasion in mosques, in large open areas, stadiums or arenas. The prayer is generally short, and is followed by a sermon (khuṭba). Worshippers greet and embrace each other in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer. After the special prayers, festivities and merriment are commonly observed with visits to the homes of relatives and friends to thank God for all blessings.
For Muslims, Eid ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion with important religious significance, celebrating of the achievement of enhanced piety. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting, but also thank God for the help and strength that they believe he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control. It is a time of giving and sharing, and many Muslims dress in holiday attire.
Observances:
There are many different types of observances that are practised over the world. In Singapore ,Eid is also commonly known as Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya literally means Grand Day i.e. The Day. Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Eid like other Muslims throughout the world. It is the biggest holiday in Malaysia, and is the most awaited one. Shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Hari Raya, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country. Many banks, government and private offices are closed for this holiday, which usually lasts a week.
The night before Eid is with the takbir which is held in the mosques or musallas. In many parts of Malaysia, especially in rural areas, oil lamps or pelita/panjut are lit up in house compounds. Eid also witnesses a huge migratory pattern of Muslims, from big metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is known as balik kampung — literally going back to home town to celebrate Eid with ones parents. Special dishes like ketupat, dodol, lemang (a type of glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo), and other Malay delicacies are served during this day.
It is common to greet people with "Selamat Hari Raya" or "Salam Aidilfitri" which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "maaf zahir dan batin" which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)", due to the fact that Eid ul-Fitr is not only for celebrations, but also the time for Muslims to cleanse their sins and strengthen their ties with relatives and friends.
It is customary for Malays to wear traditional Malay costumes on the Eid. The dress for men is called baju melayu which is worn together with songket while the women's are known as baju kurung and baju kebaya. It is also common to see non-Malay Muslims wear costumes of their culture.
Once the prayer is completed, it is also common for Muslims in Malaysia to visit the graves of loved ones. During this visit, they clean the grave, recite Ya-Seen, a chapter (surah) from the Qur'an and also perform the tahlil ceremony. All these are done to ask for God to forgive the dead and also those who are living.
The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or serving visitors. Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day for children for on this day adults are especially generous. Children will be given token sums of money, also known as "duit raya" from their parents or elders.
Though this is true no ever writes the date of anything.Anyway this year eid is on october 13 2007.
10:34 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
♥ Monday, September 17, 2007
Easter day
Origin:
Modern-day Easter is derived from two ancient traditions: one Judeo-Christian and the other Pagan. Both Christians and Pagans have celebrated death and resurrection themes following the Spring Equinox for millennia. Most religious historians believe that many elements of the Christian observance of Easter were derived from earlier Pagan celebrations.The equinox occurs each year on March 20, 21 or 22. Both Neopagans and Christians continue to celebrate religious rituals linked to the equinox in the present day.Wiccans and other Neopagans usually hold their celebrations on the day or eve of the equinox. Western Christians wait until the Sunday on or after the next full moon. The Eastern Orthodox churches follow a different calculation; their celebration is often many weeks after the date selected by the Western churches.
2 different origin of Easter day for 2 different religion:
Pagan origin of Easter: Many, perhaps most, Pagan religions in the Mediterranean area had a major seasonal day of religious celebration at or following the Spring Equinox. Cybele, the Phrygian fertility goddess, had a fictional consort who was believed to have been born via a virgin birth. He was Attis, who was believed to have died and been resurrected each year during the period March 22 to March 25. "About 200 B.C. mystery cults began to appear in Rome just as they had earlier in Greece. Most notable was the Cybele cult centered on Vatican hill ...Associated with the Cybele cult was that of her lover, Attis (the older Tammuz, Osiris, Dionysus, or Orpheus under a new name). He was a god of ever-reviving vegetation. Born of a virgin, he died and was reborn annually. The festival began as a day of blood on Black Friday and culminated after three days in a day of rejoicing over the resurrection."
Christian origin of Easter:
A very common theme present in many ancient Pagan religions described the life of a man-god -- a savior of humanity -- his execution, his visit to the underworld, his resurrection after two or three days, and his ascension to heaven. The life of Yeshua of Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) as recorded in the Gospels includes the Christian version of this theme. Good Friday is observed in remembrance of Jesus' execution by the occupying Roman army, and his burial in a cave-tomb. Easter Sunday is the date when a group of his female followers first noticed the empty tomb, and concluded that he had either been resurrected, or his body had been stolen.
Traditions
White Vestments and Linens Ringing Bells in Celebration Baptizing
New Converts Lighting of the Paschal Candle
Having Lamb for Easter dinner
Symbols
Lambs (Christ as lamb)
Lily (symbolizes the resurrection)
Colored Eggs
Empty Crosses
Old Testament Typology Foreshadowing the Resurrection
Samson Carrying Off the Gates of Gaza
Daniel Coming Forth from the Lion's Den
The Three Youths Emerging from the Furnace
Jonah Coming Forth From the Whale
How to celebrate Easter: Attend an Easter vigil, when baptisms take place, Alleluias are said for the first time since the beginning of Lent and the Paschal candle is lit. Decorate your home and church in white and gold, the colors of Easter. Wear new clothes to represent a new beginning, especially an Easter bonnet. Hide decorated Easter eggs for children to find, to represent coming out of the womb/tomb (i.e., Easter's intertwined themes of fertility and resurrection). Take part in an Easter egg roll. The White House first hosted one during the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes.
Origin:
Modern-day Easter is derived from two ancient traditions: one Judeo-Christian and the other Pagan. Both Christians and Pagans have celebrated death and resurrection themes following the Spring Equinox for millennia. Most religious historians believe that many elements of the Christian observance of Easter were derived from earlier Pagan celebrations.The equinox occurs each year on March 20, 21 or 22. Both Neopagans and Christians continue to celebrate religious rituals linked to the equinox in the present day.Wiccans and other Neopagans usually hold their celebrations on the day or eve of the equinox. Western Christians wait until the Sunday on or after the next full moon. The Eastern Orthodox churches follow a different calculation; their celebration is often many weeks after the date selected by the Western churches.
2 different origin of Easter day for 2 different religion:
Pagan origin of Easter: Many, perhaps most, Pagan religions in the Mediterranean area had a major seasonal day of religious celebration at or following the Spring Equinox. Cybele, the Phrygian fertility goddess, had a fictional consort who was believed to have been born via a virgin birth. He was Attis, who was believed to have died and been resurrected each year during the period March 22 to March 25. "About 200 B.C. mystery cults began to appear in Rome just as they had earlier in Greece. Most notable was the Cybele cult centered on Vatican hill ...Associated with the Cybele cult was that of her lover, Attis (the older Tammuz, Osiris, Dionysus, or Orpheus under a new name). He was a god of ever-reviving vegetation. Born of a virgin, he died and was reborn annually. The festival began as a day of blood on Black Friday and culminated after three days in a day of rejoicing over the resurrection."
Christian origin of Easter:
A very common theme present in many ancient Pagan religions described the life of a man-god -- a savior of humanity -- his execution, his visit to the underworld, his resurrection after two or three days, and his ascension to heaven. The life of Yeshua of Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) as recorded in the Gospels includes the Christian version of this theme. Good Friday is observed in remembrance of Jesus' execution by the occupying Roman army, and his burial in a cave-tomb. Easter Sunday is the date when a group of his female followers first noticed the empty tomb, and concluded that he had either been resurrected, or his body had been stolen.
Traditions
White Vestments and Linens Ringing Bells in Celebration Baptizing
New Converts Lighting of the Paschal Candle
Having Lamb for Easter dinner
Symbols
Lambs (Christ as lamb)
Lily (symbolizes the resurrection)
Colored Eggs
Empty Crosses
Old Testament Typology Foreshadowing the Resurrection
Samson Carrying Off the Gates of Gaza
Daniel Coming Forth from the Lion's Den
The Three Youths Emerging from the Furnace
Jonah Coming Forth From the Whale
How to celebrate Easter: Attend an Easter vigil, when baptisms take place, Alleluias are said for the first time since the beginning of Lent and the Paschal candle is lit. Decorate your home and church in white and gold, the colors of Easter. Wear new clothes to represent a new beginning, especially an Easter bonnet. Hide decorated Easter eggs for children to find, to represent coming out of the womb/tomb (i.e., Easter's intertwined themes of fertility and resurrection). Take part in an Easter egg roll. The White House first hosted one during the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes.
9:50 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
♥
Hungry Ghost Festival in S - 7th Lunar Month
For the Chinese, the month of the Hungry Ghosts - usually in the month of August - is the most inauspicious time of the year. Taoists believe that the gates of Hell are opened at this time, and the spirits of the departed wander freely about the earth.
Origin
Mulian, a filial son, finds only his father enjoying a comfortable life in Heaven. After searching, he finds his mother in the deepest level of hell paying for the evil deeds performed in her previous life. He saw that his mother had nothing to eat and tried to feed her, but the other hungry ghosts who had no one to remember them, snatched the food away. Mu Lian a devout Buddhist monk, appealed to the Buddha to save his mother. Buddha instructed him to prepare all kinds of food and make offerings to the ghosts on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Mu Lian did so and found that because the other spirits were satisfied with his offering, they did not bother his mother. Thus began the tradition of offering food to spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
Customs
As it is believed that the ghosts can become bad-tempered and destructive during their time on earth, offerings must be made to them. Besides burning huge joss-sticks and candles, Taoist believers offer cakes, fruits and sometimes an entire banquet to appease the spirits. Fake paper money - and sometimes even fake paper cars, houses and mobile phones - are burnt so that the dead spirits will be able to enjoy these comforts in the afterlife. These offerings are usually placed in a safe place outdoors to "bribe" the ghosts to not enter their homes. The community also comes together to organise outdoor street shows, which are meant to entertain the ghosts, in different neighbourhoods. These shows include Chinese opera and Ge Tai (singing performances), which in more recent years have taken the form of pop concerts. The celebration usually also includes a dinner for residents, the highlight being the auction of a wide range of items that have been donated by the community. The main reason for the auction is so that funds can be raised to make offerings to those spirits who have no one left in the living world to look after them. The money raised during the auction also goes to charity and subsidise the following year's celebration.
In summary, this is a time when the air is heavy with tradition and superstition (and smoke). Here are a few superstitions associated with the Hungry Ghost Festival.
• Don't move, renovate or marry during this period as it is considered inauspicious.
• Stay away from swimming during the 7th month as it is believed that the water spirits will drag little children into the water and drown them.
• Avoid old trees. It is believed that the spirits will hide there.
• Children are advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night when wandering ghosts might possess them.
1:52 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
♥
Deepavali
Thought One
Diwali is a short name for Deepavali.
Deepavali is the festival of Lights. The word 'Deepavali' is made up of two simple words, meaning 'Deepa' means light and 'Avali' means a row. Hence 'Deepavali' means a row of lights.
Diwali is a festival of the light which dispels the darkness of our ignorance and lights the way through the jungle that we call life.
The festival is associated with many legends and beliefs. One of them is to commemorate the killing of Narakasura, a notorious demon, by Lord Krishna. Narakasura, because of his previous store of virtue, had been granted a boon at the moment of his death. He asked that his death might ever be, commemorated as a day of feasting. Hence Deepavali is known as 'Naraka Chaturdasi' Krishna proclaimed Narakasura's son Bhagadatta as his father's successor.
It is believed that Narakasura lived in a place called Pragjyotishapura, which is known as 'Assam State' today.
What is interesting to know is that when Krishna wanted to wage war against Narakasura, Krishna's wife Satyabhama, who was adept in archery, wanted to join her husband...and she did.
The fireworks that are burst during Deepavali symbolize the use of fiery weapons used during the war that Krishna waged against the demon. Amongst the North Indians it is believed that Deepavali is the day on which Sri Ram returned from His 14 years of exile in the forest, after having got rid of various demons who made life hell for the sages and common people. Deepavali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and it celebrates the triumphant return of Sri Ram to His Kingdom. People rejoice by burning earthen oil lamps to welcome Sri Ram back to His throne.
On Deepavali day, the members of the mercantile community open and worship new account books and ledgers. This is because during Deepavali the Sun enters its second course and passes Libra, which is represented by the 'Balance' or 'Scale'.
During Deepavali, spring cleaning is done as it is believed that the Goddess of Wealth Laxmi would enter a clean and cheerful house. Plenty of long-lost items are found and a lot of dirt is removed from the house.
How much we care to cast away the rubbish that stirs up trouble within us, is a matter to consider. By lighting lamps in our home, let us strive to dispel the spiritual darkness that we seem to be seeped in, and let us make our heart a place in which Sri Ram may reign and bring about peace love and prosperity. A true Ram-Rajya, the All-Around Auspicious Kingdom of Sri Ram. Happy Diwali
Thought Two
The Flame of the Diyas
Diwali falls during a dark period of a year. While most of us pray during this time, negative practices are also prevalent during this time. The best way to dispel negative influences is to light candles, or as is the practice amongst us Hindus, Diyas. Why is the fire worshipped by all the religions in one form or another? Let me share with you what I have learned.
While water finds its level by moving downwards, fire does quite the opposite. Even if you hang a lamp upside down, the flame will rise upwards. Human nature tends to be like water, flowing to lower levels. The flame that we light reminds us to soar upwards.
As one moves forward on the Spiritual path, the darkness of ignorance is replaced by the Light of knowledge. The flame in this case is symbolic of this light which brightens as we journey within.
Tapa in Sindhi means fever. It also stands for fire and penance. Fire destroys the impure. The flame of the fire reminds us of the fact that we should cleanse ourselves of all impurity of our ego and attachments, until only the purity of our soul remains
It is said by Mystics that he who loses his ego will cease to be. The fire rises towards the sky and vanishes.
Not only does the fire vanish as it rises, but after burning the fuel, it becomes silent. Isn't that what we are meant to become after, burning all our desires and attachments to falsehood?
So this Diwali, as you shop for Diyas, ponder upon its flame's spiritual nature. It will not only beautify and brighten your home, but will remind you of the transformations that it is meant to bring within.
1:21 PM
YYY
ColourTheWorld
