The concept of Diwali is extraordinary

 

The concept of Diwali is extraordinary. Not only Diwali, but in Vedic Hinduism, Sanatan Dharma (nature religion) and many other religions, lamps or light are a metaphor for the connection between God and the soul. In Islam and the pre-Abrahamic monotheistic religion Zoroastrianism, one has to remember God and his gods by keeping a flame of fire in front of them.

A drop of ghee dipped in one's finger. It will go into the salt and create a bright light. Many people sit with ghee-salt lamps or candles in earthen pots on banana leaves or the bark of a banana tree. In the evening, when the sun sets, the temple bell rings. Only then will the lamps be lit. This lamp cannot be extinguished. If the ghee runs out and goes out on its own, the fast will be broken by eating non-vegetarian prasad. These people have fasted without eating only for the welfare of their loved ones. If you pay attention, you will see that the number of lamps placed in front of each person is not the same. The number of lamps is equal to the number of loved ones of each of them. One for each person. This vow began when there was a widespread cholera epidemic in the region. This vow is for the health and longevity of the family and for the sake of others. The Sanskrit word vrata means resolution. Sitting in front of a fire lamp does not mean worshiping fire, but the goal is the well-being of the person, family, and loved ones.

But why a lamp for each person? It is believed that both the Abrahamic religions and Vedic Hinduism have been influenced by the ancient Iranian monotheistic religion of pre-Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrians pray to God by keeping a fire in front of their temples. Why fire? Because fire is life-giving and it dispels darkness. Wherever fire burns, its flame goes upwards, that is, towards God.

In the Abrahamic creation theory, the Bible says at the beginning of "Let There Be Light" (Genesis 1:3), let light shine - light is the first. The Quran says "Surely Allah is the Being of Light". Not only that, but there is more detail:

"Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. His example is as a lamp placed on a shelf, the lamp in a chimney, the chimney looking like a pearl, and this lamp gives light with a wonderful oil of olives, the tree of which is neither eastern nor western. Which burns by itself, as if the fire had not touched the oil. The scattering of light upon light; Allah guides to His light whom He wills; Allah sets forth parables for mankind; and Allah is fully aware of all things" (Surah: An-Nur, verse: 35).

In many cultures of the world, the creation of a lamp or the wish for the rebirth of something is associated with good. Lighting a lamp in any prayer is a metaphor or simile (such as the simile given in Surah Noor). The meaning of keeping a lamp in prayer is that everything that is seen generally falls downwards. Water flows downwards, objects fall downwards - only the flame of the lamp rises upwards. Now the metaphor is that this flame should take the prayer for good fortune with it to the Creator. That Creator is his own.

Sirajul Hossain