In the Deepavali Message entitled 'THE INDESTRUCTIBLE DIVINE SEED' by Sri Swami Sivananda, the Divine Master took us through how the festival is observed in both North and South India, as well as the significance of the festival itself. We reproduce below excerpts from the message:

"Light, light, dazzling light everywhere! May our obeisance be to the Light of Lights, Brahman or God!

"In our Rama Rajya (which is brought to our mind's eye by Deepavali) there will be a complete absence of hatred, ill-will or self-aggrandisement. People's hearts will be filled with thoughts of love, charity and selfless service. When these come to stay in the Indian heart, I call that a perpetual celebration of Deepavali! India alone can do it at the present time. For, it is in her soil alone that this seed has been left unscorched.

"Sri Lakshmi, the Goddess of all auspicious qualities, is worshipped. All the Daivi Sampatti (Divine, virtuous qualities) have their origin in Her alone. She is the source of peace, love and joy. She is the Mother of all, who preserves and protects everyone. On Deepavali day, Goddess Lakshmi is invoked, and the devotee prays to Her to bestow all Her choicest blessings in the form of peace and goodwill. He surrenders himself at Her Lotus Feet and seeks Her protection. He gives up the little ego and drinks the nectar of wisdom and love that drips from the Lotuses She holds in Her hands. Lakshmi alone can root out the evil qualities that lurk in man's lower self. O man! Invite Her to occupy the lotus of your heart on this great day so that She can awaken in you the latent powers of love and joy!

"Every household is illuminated on this day. Everywhere you look there is light. This is intended to remind man that his essential nature is Light: that the Atman, his own real Self, is the Light of all lights, the Light that lends luminosity to countless suns, moons and stars in the infinite universe. It is ignorance that produces a semblance of darkness!

"O man! Awake! Arise! It is Brahmamuhurta now. Sing the Names of the Lord. Worship Goddess Lakshmi, the abode of all virtues. Love all. Be charitable. Turn over a new leaf in the book of your life. Light the lamp of wisdom in your heart and dispel the darkness of ignorance or the perception of name and form! Behold now the Light of Lights–the Atman within yourself!

"This is the message which the Seers of India intended to convey through Deepavali celebration: the message of peace and love."

We offer gratitude to our beloved Master and Pujya Swami Sahajananda on this most auspicious day for bringing us all under their Divine care. Let us pray for their Grace, let us pray for their Shakti to engage in ceaseless Sadhana, let us all enjoy the stupendous bliss of the Light within.