This Thursday we celebrate the festival of Diwali. Often compared to Christmas in Christina tradition, Diwali is a feast of light. It is closely associated with Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity and everyone hopes for a visit from Lakshmi at this time of year. Although everyone wants the goddess to visit, she comes only to those she chooses. Traditionally, one cleans, paints and repairs one's home on the days leading to Diwali to make it as inviting as possible to Lakshmi. It is also said that Lakshmi rides on a blind owl and needs light to find the homes she intends to visit, and so candlelight and colored electric lights bun in homes and buildings throughout India during the night of Diwali. As Swami Satsangi noted at last year's Diwali Puja, however, Lakshmi is looking for more than new paint and pretty lights. She is looking for generosity and selflessness. She bestows prosperity so that it can be shared. she does not give her blessings to those who hoard them and use them only for themselves.
We explored the Prayer of St. Francis last week, which includes the line, "It is in giving that we receive." How have you experienced this truth? What does prosperity signify to you? What connection have you seen in your own life between generosity, selflessness and Lakshmi's blessings?
We explored the Prayer of St. Francis last week, which includes the line, "It is in giving that we receive." How have you experienced this truth? What does prosperity signify to you? What connection have you seen in your own life between generosity, selflessness and Lakshmi's blessings?
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