Diwali 2023: Life Lessons, Values Kids And Adults Can Learn From The Festival Of Lights To Brighten Their Day

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In Hinduism, there is a tradition of lighting diyas (earthen lamps) on Diwali and this has an immense significance. It is not about only celebrating the festival by decorating the home with lights but also awakening the inner conscience, the light that guides us through the journey of life.

This year Diwali will be observed on 1 November 2023 and let us look at the life lessons and values that adults and children can learn from the festival of lights.

1. Obedience
In Ramayana, when Lord Rama was sent to 14 years in exile to the forest, he didn't even flinch or question his father Dasratha, and mother Kaikeyi (Rama's stepmother). Even though it was a tough life that no one desires, Rama didn't bother and as an obedient son, he kept his promise to Kaikeyi intact. Also, he embraced the hardships and inconveniences. Kaikeyi's love for Rama changed into hatred when her attendant Manthara became her toxic confidante.

2. Temptation
Nothing is equivalent to purity. When Ravana was abducted by Sita, then he asked Marich (his uncle) to lure Sita, who was pure-hearted. She got so fascinated by the beauty of this stag that he asked Rama to fetch it for her. This is the time when he went to get the stag and Ravan abducted Sita. Therefore, this is a lesson to be able to detect and analyze the things that tempt us and may or may not be good for us. So, trait is essential when we make decisions in life as it can save us from disaster.

3. Selflessness
The character of Laxman, who is a warrior par brilliance, Rama's younger brother and his loyalist, did everything for Rama and didn't expect anything in return in Ramayana. He stayed with Rama even though he wasn't bound to and left behind all the royal pleasures of life for 14 straight years. Hence, from the story, we can learn how to imbibe the traits of Laxman into our lives and abstain from being driven by selfish motives.

4. Equality
Lord Rama in Ramayana is seen as a believer of equality and he was the one who treated everyone as equal. The story of Shabari speaks volumes on this trait of Lord Rama. Shabari was a low-caste old lady who lived in the forest. She was an ardent devotee of Rama and when she heard the news about Rama's arrival, she collected a lot of berries to feed Rama. To check the quality of the berries, she tasted a bit of all of them. When she offered these berries to Rama, he ate them knowing that it had been tasted by her before and thanked her for the hospitality. This shows for a strong and inclusive society, equality is essential.