Deepavali - Philosophical Meaning

Though every Indian religious tradition has its own reason for celebrating Diwali - it is mostly associated with the story of Lord Ram coming back to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan and is looked upon as the victory of good over evil. 

However, lately, the authenticity of the popular version of this epic story and the morality of certain events described by Sant Tulasi Das in the Ram-Charit-Maanas have become questionable and a matter of debate.

Instead of searching for the historical facts and its authenticity, let us examine the symbolic meanings of certain events to draw some useful conclusions for our own advancement.
By carefully examining the nature of the two main characters of this larger-than-life story, Lord Ram could be considered a symbol of Gyan - full of wisdom, tolerance, patience, love, kindness, and sympathy, along with a sense of morality.
Devi Sita is a symbol of Bhakti or devotion - who leaves her desires and luxuries to accompany Lord Ram (Gyan) - to follow his footsteps.

During the exile, after leaving the palace, they lived in forests without any luxuries or even simple household facilities. Though they did not have much, they seemed to be very happy and comfortable for most of their exile; meeting ordinary people and enjoying the company of learned Rishis and Sages as well.

But then… one day Devi Sita saw a golden deer, and the problems started when she became obsessed with the desire to have it.
The ‘Golden deer’ is a symbol of ‘Maya.
Lord Ram - Gyana tried to convince Sita, the Bhakti, that the Golden deer is a mirage; it’s an illusion, and she should not get attached to it.
Looking at it, enjoying and admiring its beauty would have been alright, but Devi Sita wanted to possess it.
She eventually convinced Lord Ram to go after it and bring it to her.

For practical purposes, even today, this story could be related to the life of many spiritual seekers.
When a Gyani Bhakta becomes obsessed with Maya, Gyana tries to constrain him by reminding that all Maya is transitory, and its obsession may become a distraction and take him away from his aim to achieve the Moksha, the Ultimate Freedom.
The desiring Bhakta tries to find logic to justify his desires; by reasoning that Bhakti does not mean living in isolation with no desires or comforts. That a Bhakta can be rich and own everything he desires - live a luxurious life, and still maintain his devotion and spirituality.

In fact, this logic is not wrong at all.
We can find many Gurus, Rishis, Avatars, and highest spiritual icons such as Lord Krishna and Maharaj Janak, who lived a rich and luxurious lifestyle, and some of them even ruled as kings.
However, if this ideology is used as a justification for excessive desires and wrong means to achieve them, it becomes a problem.

Their companion Lakshman - a symbol of Tyaga - discipline, strength, and self-restraint - was always guarding and protecting both; Lord Ram and Devi Sita with his watchful eyes.
He drew a circle - a boundary line around Sita ji to protect her.
And the moment Devi Sita crossed that Laxman-Rekha, she got kidnapped.

Contentment is an essential part of Bhakti.
Desires and wants, and the means to fulfill them must remain within the Lakshman-Rekha, the Maryada.
However, ‘Lakshman Rekha’ or Maryaada does not mean just to control desires and attachments.
As Bhapa Ram Chand ji used to say - it is actually the means; the ways how we try to achieve and fulfill our desires. 

Baba Avtar Singh Ji used to emphasize the virtues of honesty and truthfulness in how we live; how we earn and spend our money.
In his discourses, he often used to say: “Do not lie, do not cheat anyone, earn your money with honest means. 

Do not try to harm anyone – even if they have done some wrong to you”.
I remember him and Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji Patiala quoting this verse from the Gurbani many times:
                          "हक़ पराया नानका उस सूअर, उस गाय"
                     "Haq paraaya Nanakaa, us soo-ar us gaaye"
Meaning:
To take away what rightfully belongs to someone else is like a Muslim eating pork meat or a Hindu eating a cow.

Unfortunately, we are hardly reminded anymore about the importance of keeping these codes of conduct, the Maryaada, to make our spiritual journey smooth and to maintain our Bhakti in its pure form.
If excessive desires and attachments - and the ways to fulfill them are wrongfully justified with the Gyana, then the Gyana itself gets lost.

When Lord Ram, persuaded and convinced by Sita, goes after the Golden deer, their happy and peaceful life in exile turns into chaos.
Devi Sita is kidnapped, and Lord Ram is also lost - wandering from forest to forest searching for her.

To be reunited - to bring Sita back, the golden Lanka had to be burnt, and Ravan had to be defeated.
Just like Ram and Sita - Gyana and Bhakti cannot achieve Divine Bliss without each other. 

They have to stay together in their purest forms to achieve ever-happiness and Moksha - the ultimate freedom. 

To bring the Bhakti back - the golden Lanka, a symbol of Maya - has to be burnt, and Ravan; the icon of Ego, revenge, and jealousy - must be killed.

                                           ' Rajan Sachdeva '