World Yoga Community and Ananda Marga have organized a public event in Manhattan on November 6 to celebrate together “Festival of the Lights” Diwali or Diipavalii. World Yoga Community and Ananda Marga co-sponsored the event which saw the participation of several special guests.
Members of Ananda Marga and World Yoga Community presented on stage through talks, songs and collective dances different aspects of the cultural and spiritual heritage stemming in the ancient Shiva tradition symbolizing the universal outlook of both organizations. MC Sister Niranjanana was introducing each performance while members of the World Yoga Community and Ananda Marga Community assisted to the event helping in the different aspects of the collective gathering.
“Festival of Light” was designed as a two hours cultural event open to all with songs, dance, music and also an introduction about the spiritual universal meaning of Diipavali celebration.
The event was the opportunity to come together among several people and organizations already involved in humanitarian work. Some of them were awarded and recognized for their special contribution to the cause of human welfare and all-round peace.
Around 60 participants enjoyed the beautiful traditional Indian dances and the spiritual songs and bhajans sang by several artists coming from different parts of the world.
Traditional chantings from the Shiva tradition and Ananda Marga were joined by all which were both delightful and spiritually elevating.
The success of the event has prompted the organizers to make efforts for having regular public events in Manhattan and in other parts of New York with the aim to extend a spiritual atmosphere and blissful state of mind to a maximum number of people.
Diipavali, is an ancient Festival of Lights, which falls on the new moon night of October.The ancient history of Diipavali was the celebration of the victory of Satyabhama, the wife of Krsna, who saved her kingdom (in his absence) from the evil ruler Narakasura who tried to invade her kingdom while Krnsa was absent. The courageous queen led the troops in a surprise attack on the evening of the new moon and won. Upon her victorious return, the villagers lit the path with lamps made of clay.
However, the true spiritual essence of Diipavali is the internal victory of light over darkness. Light dispels the darkness of ignorance and allows us to find our true path. On the spiritual path, the moment of initiation is called Diiksa – and the first part of the word comes from “Diipani” meaning torchlight, because initiation shines light on the spiritual path and shows us how to move forward.
Here is a song written by the spiritual master Shrii Shrii Anandamurti for Diipavali, which we will sing together at the event in Manhattan.
DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU
TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’ 2
ESO TUMI HRIDI MÁJHE, NITI NITI NAVA SÁJE
DHIIRE DHIIRE PHELIYÁ CARAN’
DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU
TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’
ESO TUMI MANA MÁJHE, ÁRO GÁNE ÁRO NÁCE
MRIDU HÁSI KARI VIKIRAN’
DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU
TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’
ESO TUMI BHÁVA LOKE, CHANDE O NAVÁLOKE
JÁGÁYE MOHAN SPANDAN
DIIPÁVALII SÁJÁYECHI PRABHU
TOMÁRE KARITE VARAN’
I have arranged the lights to welcome You, Beloved.
Now come and take your seat in my heart,
with slow steps, in garments ever-new.
Come in my mind with more songs
and more dance,
radiating Your tender smile.
Come in my mind with rhythm and new delight,
exuding Your charming vibration
