Give and Forgive. It is common practice that everyone forgets and forgives the wrongs done by others during Diwali. There is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere.
Rise and Shine. Waking
up during the Brahmamuhurta (at
4 a.m. or 1 1/2 hours before sunrise) is a great blessing from the
standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work, and spiritual
advancement. It is on Deepawali that everyone wakes up early in the morning.
The sages who instituted this custom must have cherished the hope that their
descendants would realize its benefits and make it a regular habit in their
lives.
Unite and Unify. Diwali
is a great unifying force and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a
time when you will find people mingling about in joy and embracing one another
with love. Those with keen inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voice of
the sages, "O Children of God unite, and love all". The vibrations
produced by the greetings of love, which fill the atmosphere, are powerful.
When the heart has considerably hardened, only a continuous celebration of
Deepawali can rekindle the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path of
hatred.
Prosper and Progress. On
this day, Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray
for success and prosperity during the coming year. Everyone buys new
clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their
employees.
