Why Is Deepavali or Diwali Celebrated and What Is Its Significance?

“For other creatures, light simply means survival. But for a human being, light is not just about seeing or not seeing. The rising of light in our life signifies a new beginning and, above all, clarity.”

—Sadhguru

Diwali or Deepavali is the “festival of lights.” One reason why light is so significant in human life is the way our visual apparatus is made. For other creatures, light simply means survival. But for a human being, light is not just about seeing or not seeing. The rising of light in our life signifies a new beginning and, above all, clarity. Most creatures exist by instinct, so they have no issues of confusion as to what to do or not to do. A young tiger never sits around and asks itself, “Will I become a good tiger, or will I end up as a housecat?” If it just eats well, it will become a good tiger.

You may be born as a human being, but to become a good human being, you have to do so many things. And even then, you still will not know where you stand. In comparison, you may think you are better than someone else. But by yourself, you do not know where you stand. Human intelligence is such that if you do not organize it properly, it causes more confusion and misery than those creatures that have a millionth of your brain will ever experience – they seem to be crystal clear. An earthworm or insect simply knows what to do and what not to do – a human being does not. It takes a certain intelligence to be confused. Human struggle is due to our own cerebral capability.