The transcript was prepared by his late son Bans Narain Persaud.
Divali or Dipavali is one of the most ancient festivals and it is celebrated every year by Hindus all over the world.
The origin, the tradition which surrounds it, and the way in which it is celebrated, will most likely be dealt with by others who are steeped in its lore, and are therefore much more competent than I am to deal with those aspects.
I shall, in this short article, deal with that aspect which comprise the worship of the Divine Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune and prosperity, which is one of the most important parts of this celebration.
At this time the thoughts of all Hindus are turned towards the Divine Mother, all hasten to do homage to Her.
In homes and in Temples, offerings of the choicest fruits and delicious sweetmeats are made; the most fragrant and colourful flowers are used to adorn Her sacred person; those who could afford it bring gems beautiful and valuable and lay them at Her feet; the chant of strotas fill the air, and all pray to the Divine Mother for good fortune and prosperity.
It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this, and do it with sincerity, with Staddha (faith) and Bhavana (deep feeling and love). But let us reflect. After this day what? Do we forget the Divine Mother for the balance of the year and on the next Divali day, awake as from a deep sleep again to do homage to Her with enthusiasm and devotion? Surely this could not have been the intention of the Rishis and Munis of old who propagated this tradition.
Therefore let us look deeply into what may have been their intention. Let us think.
It has always been the custom of these ancient teachers to emphasize an idea or lesson by surrounding it with pomp and ceremony. It is like what we do when we teach a child the alphabet. We make the letters large so that the child may become familiar with every feature of it. As the child grows it will recognize these letters and identify them how small they may be or in however complex a manner they may be placed.
In the same way these annual ceremonies are done with great pomp and splendor to emphasize some practical lesson or idea which we should learn and use for our benefit.
I
n my humble opinion the true significance of Lakshmi Puja is to bring home to us the lessons of chivalry and gallantry. The womenfolk of our society are veritable incarnations of the Goddess Lakshmi - every Hindu acknowledges this - and it is the duty of men to regard and treat them as such.
The clue to this idea lies in the well known statement in the Shastras which says:-
" Wherever women are honored,
" that society, that country flourishes;
" wherever women are dishonored
" that society, that country perishes. "
The Lakshmi Puja, therefore is intended to bring forcibly to our attention this lesson. It is by this we would obtain the good fortune and prosperity for which we propitiate the Goddess.
It is no use for us to go to Her on this day with bowed heads and clasped palms, and try to bribe Her with offerings and prayers if Her representatives, nay, Her very incarnations which are with us always in the persons of our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters are neglected and are made to suffer as a result of our neglect. It is no use asking the Goddess for Her choicest boon, if we are unkind and discourteous to women, in general, or even any woman in particular.
We have the opportunity of doing Lakshmi Puja every day and every moment. Her living Murtis (images) are found everywhere, in the home, at work, at play.
Resolve that from this day henceforth, we will practice chivalry and gallantry to all women, and by thought, word and deed cause or bring suffering or hurt to any woman.
In this way we would show that we understand the true significance of Lakshmi Puja, and all offerings made to the Divine Mother would be accepted.
That was for men.
For women, I would say that this day should remind you of the high position you hold in Society. In the Gita, Arjuna expressed concern over the fact that if the women of the society became corrupt the society would be lost. It is in your laps that the dignity and honour of the home, the family and our society lies.
You have a great responsibility, but the Creator in His wisdom has endowed you with the qualities which would enable you to discharge that responsibility faithfully and efficiently.
Your tender heart, your womanly intuition, your inherent constancy, your spirit of sacrifice and devotion for the family, and many others are the virtues with which a wise and generous Creator has equipped you.
Develop them, use them, become the embodiment of these virtues, and I pledge that verily, you would be like the Goddess Lakshmi, and we mere men, would have no hesitation in doing homage to your feet and bloody tyrants will quail before you. These in my opinions are the lessons to be learnt by Laskhmi Puja.
(View the handwritten notes)
