Happy (early) Diwali and Saal Mubarakh! :)

Diwali-the time of the year when fireworks go off in the distance, when taramandars spark away in the hands of children, when rangoli decors the front porches of homes, when family unites under one roof, when sweets fill tables and plates, and when lights are up on all buildings. It is the time for celebration and happiness. It is a time for rejoicing in good over evil. No one is perfect, but we are all God's master pieces. We need to polish our characters, and overcome our negativities. The battle is not external, nowadays, it is internal. When money holds more value than people, when objects seem more appealing than people, and when jealously, anger, fear overshadows giving, love, equanimity, and bravery. We need to work on instilling positive qualities in us-not aim to be perfect, but to polish the good qualities we already have and aim for personal growth at every angle in life.

My bhabhi and my Rangoli

Dear God:

I am not perfect
I am not made of Gold or Silver
But I promise you
I will always try
to keep my thoughts golden
and my dreams silver

Those meanings of our Vedic sanskruti have been faded under that of rituals in fear rather than symbolism behind rituals that are meant to enlighten. Of course, this is just an observation I have been making my whole life. I don't mean to offend anyone as people's faith cannot be judged, but I can shed light on the course of history and transformation of Vedic sanskruti to current day Hinduism through my own observations. In the end, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Being raised in both USA and India shaped my thoughts. Similarly, others' thoughts have been shaped by their upbringing. No one is right or wrong, but certain things in society are interesting to observe. As I observe, this is how I feel.

In the USA, I have a bible. Some people came from a church to our home once and gave it to us. I have kept it ever since. I have tried reading and understanding it. We keep it next to our Hindu posters and idols. I respect and value all religions equally. It makes me no less of a Hindu, in fact, it makes me feel more human to want to learn about other religions and cultures, but someone told me that I am not Hindu because of keeping Bible. How is that. Hindu is not an all or nothing deal. It is a spiritual path. I understand the vedic philosophy-in fact, Hindu is a term given much later. Originally, it was Vedic sanskruti.culture.   The posters have images that people worship, but how many people actually know the meaning or try to seek the meaning behind the 4 arms, the rose the goddess is sitting on, the objects in her hand, and the meaning of our holidays. Fireworks and lights are all superficial and materialistic-why do we light a divo (mini candle) why do we do aarti, do chandlo (bindi)? Thanks to Swadhyay, I know all of that. Thanks to that I rediscovered what Vedic sanskruti really consists of. It does not judge other religions, it does not demand blind faith, it only aims to show how to lead a spiritual life. It does not tell women not to pray or fast during menses. It does not tell one to make idols of Gold and Silver. That is just the present interpretation of our ancient culture. Respect others beliefs, but that statement I got today really made me introspect me. The answer, what Gandhiji once said. I know it and believe it. I don't need outside reinforcement.
http://www.johnlund.com/Cafepress/ImagesCp/ganesha-Symbols.jpg
How many people know what Ganesh ji represents. We have idols and huge celebrations with 20ft idols, but why is there a trunk, large ears, etc.?