Diwali

Diwali
P K Routray

I wish you the readers the best of health and humor,
on the occasion Of Diwali being celebrated in India to-day with pomp and splendor.
As customary in India, we wish our near and dear, friends and relatives,
for Heavenly blessings to be showered upon them bringing good luck and fortunes in their lives.
On this day Ram the Lord incarnate returned to Ayodhya his kingdom after vanquishing Ravan the evil demon.
All the subjects of his kingdom celebrated the occasion to welcome him with jubilation.
As age long practice the day is commemorated,
As win over sin and evil promised and celebrated.
A saying also goes that the sun and moon got angry with earth,
ceased to give her their light expressing their anger and wrath.
But a small candle volunteered to illumine her mother,
All candles followed the example and tried to illumine the earth together.
This deed of a tiny candle should be taken as an example,
We human beings must perform philanthropic works in measure ample.
Everywhere in India there is light and cracker with celebration,
Win of knowledge over ignorance, truth over untruth are expressed on this occasion.
People rush to purchase gold to harbinger their prosperity and health,
as a mark of respect and propitiation to Laxmi the Goddess of wealth.
Under the pretext to end the era of any evil vice,
Some play cards with wager throughout night and claim it to be as an age long practice.
Business man settles and closes his account for the preceding year,
Starts his new book of account and settles the old one for pelf and profit with sincere prayer.
Crackers of various color and sound decorate the sky,
Light of varied tastes dazzles the eye.
We remember and offer our gratitude to our departed ancestor,
Prayers are offered, light from bunched burning sticks are shown Heaven ward to illumine their path to descend on earth, their blessings to shower.
Mother Kali the Goddess of time and change
is worshipped especially on this day reminding chauvinistic males of a female’s strength and courage.