Kartik Purnima’s full moon illuminates more than just the night sky—it unveils the soul's journey toward enlightenment and liberation.
Article | Kolkata | November 15, 2024
Sadhguru: Dev Deepavali, the "Diwali of the Gods," celebrated on Kartik Purnima, holds special reverence across India, especially in the holy city of Varanasi. This divine festival marks the symbolic descent of the deities to Earth to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. Known for its unmatched splendour along the ghats of the Ganges, Dev Deepavali also aligns with the auspicious day of Avdhoot Atmananda’s birth anniversary, a revered saint whose teachings have touched countless seekers of truth and self-realization.
The Significance of Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepavali
Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, holds immense spiritual significance. It is considered the most sacred month in the Hindu calendar, embodying divine energy and purification. Traditionally, it is believed that bathing in the Ganges on this day washes away all sins and liberates one from the cycle of rebirth.
Dev Deepavali, celebrated fifteen days after Diwali, brings millions to the banks of the Ganges. The sight of millions of oil lamps (diyas) illuminating the river and ghats creates an enchanting aura, symbolizing purity, devotion, and surrender to the divine. On this day, Varanasi transforms into a celestial realm, as the ritualistic lighting of lamps and chanting of hymns mirror the vibrational energy associated with celestial beings.
The Significance of Dev Deepavali in Varanasi
Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world, is renowned as a central site for Dev Deepavali celebrations. Every ghat from Assi to Rajendra becomes a canvas of divine art with countless devotees offering prayers and lamps to honour the gods. The festival is dedicated to deities who are said to descend to Earth on this day, adding to the mystique and devotion that surrounds the event. It is believed that the presence of divine energy is heightened on this night, turning Varanasi into a conduit of cosmic energy where blessings pour down from above.
The sacred Ganges and Varanasi’s ancient ghats take on a spiritual radiance, epitomizing a realm between the mundane and the divine. Each ghat, with its particular deity or historical resonance, becomes a place where people gather, meditate, and reflect. Pilgrims, saints, and devotees participate in the Ganga Aarti, a captivating ceremony where lamps are rhythmically waved to the river, symbolizing the surrender of the ego to the higher divine self.
Avdhoot Atmananda: A Life of Spiritual Mastery and Humble Service
Avdhoot Atmananda, whose birth anniversary coincides with Dev Deepavali, is a revered saint known for his spiritual wisdom and teachings rooted in Advaita (non-dual) philosophy and the path of self-realization. Known for his detachment, humility, and boundless compassion, Avdhoot Atmananda’s life has been an inspiration for countless seekers of truth. Born in a humble village, his journey from childhood to spiritual mastery is one of intense sadhana, surrender, and wisdom that embodies the eternal teachings of the ancient Indian sages.
From a young age, Atmananda displayed a deep understanding of the mystical dimensions of life and was inclined toward meditation and solitude. His quest led him to the Himalayas, where he undertook intense penance, deeply connecting with the divine. His teachings reflect a profound understanding of karma, dharma, and the unity of all beings, and he emphasizes the transcendence of ego, surrender to the divine, and the realization of the Self.
Dev Deepavali and the Teachings of Avdhoot Atmananda
The observance of Dev Deepavali serves as a reflection of Avdhoot Atmananda’s philosophy, embodying the tenets of light, liberation, and devotion. Atmananda often spoke of "Inner Illumination" as the ultimate path to self-realization, a concept beautifully symbolized by the millions of lamps lit on the ghats of Varanasi. Just as each lamp illuminates the darkness, he taught that every soul is capable of illuminating ignorance by realizing its true divine essence.
Avdhoot Atmananda urged his disciples to embrace the "path of detachment" as a means to transcend worldly desires and focus on the true self. He believed that, much like the Ganga Aarti, which involves surrendering lamps to the river, one should surrender personal identity, desires, and ego to the cosmic flow. Through Dev Deepavali, devotees seek to dissolve themselves in the divine energy and celebrate the unity between the Self and the Supreme.
Dev Deepavali Rituals and Symbolism: A Journey from Darkness to Light
Lighting of DiyasThe most significant ritual during Dev Deepavali is the lighting of millions of diyas. This practice, Avdhoot Atmananda taught, represents the journey of moving from ignorance to knowledge, from darkness to light. The diyas serve as a reminder that the spark of divinity is within every individual. By lighting these lamps, devotees invoke divine blessings for inner clarity and spiritual growth.
Ganga Aarti CeremonyThe Ganga Aarti is a mesmerizing ritual that sees priests waving oil lamps and chanting hymns as offerings to the Ganges, believed to be a manifestation of the goddess herself. Avdhoot Atmananda taught that this ritual is a powerful metaphor for the unity of life, a fusion of the individual spirit with the cosmic consciousness. He believed that by surrendering one’s ego, represented by the light of the lamps offered to the river, a person could achieve spiritual liberation.
Boat Procession and Floral OfferingsOn Dev Deepavali, devotees embark on boat processions, offering flowers and prayers to the river. The boats, filled with lights and flowers, float down the river, symbolizing the journey of the soul. According to Avdhoot Atmananda’s teachings, this ritual reflects the transient nature of life. Just as flowers float and eventually merge with the river, every soul must let go of attachments and merge back with the divine.
Meditation and Silence on Kartik PurnimaAvdhoot Atmananda emphasized the significance of meditation on Kartik Purnima. He encouraged his disciples to engage in silent meditation during this time to cultivate inner peace and clarity. He believed that silence enables one to listen to the "language of the soul," an essential step in connecting with one’s true self. Through meditation, one can experience the profound essence of unity with the cosmos, which is also the essence of Dev Deepavali.
Legacy of Avdhoot Atmananda and His Spiritual Impact
The teachings of Avdhoot Atmananda extend beyond his physical presence, as his words and spiritual practices continue to resonate with disciples and spiritual seekers around the world. His teachings emphasize the importance of detachment from materialism, selfless service, and the power of spiritual discipline. Avdhoot Atmananda’s birth anniversary on Dev Deepavali brings together devotees who honour his legacy through prayer, meditation, and acts of kindness.
In many ashrams dedicated to him, the day is marked by Sadhguru Sannidhyan (spiritual discourses), where disciples gather to reflect on his teachings and share their own spiritual growth experiences. Devotees perform seva (selfless service) by distributing food and necessities to those in need, embodying his emphasis on humility and compassion. Avdhoot Atmananda believed that serving others with a pure heart was an expression of divine love, a concept celebrated in his honour during Dev Deepavali.
Avdhoot Atmananda’s Message: An Invitation to Inner Awakening
In line with the themes of Dev Deepavali, Avdhoot Atmananda’s teachings focus on the realization of one’s divine essence and the shedding of ignorance. He believed that just as the diyas illuminate the darkness of the ghats, self-awareness removes the darkness of ego and attachment within. He reminded his disciples that inner illumination is not merely an external celebration but a profound transformation of consciousness that transcends the material world's limitations.
Through his teachings, Avdhoot Atmananda shared that true liberation is the realization of oneness with all of existence. He spoke of a state beyond duality, where the distinctions of self and other dissolve, and what remains is pure awareness. This understanding aligns beautifully with the spirit of Dev Deepavali, where every individual light symbolizes the universal light within us all.
The Dual Celebration of Dev Deepavali and Avdhoot Atmananda’s Birth Anniversary
Dev Deepavali on Kartik Purnima is more than a visual spectacle; it is a festival of profound spiritual awakening and connection to the divine. As millions of diyas illuminate the ghats of Varanasi, devotees are reminded of the divine presence within themselves. The day, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Avdhoot Atmananda, becomes even more significant, merging the celebration of the gods’ descent to Earth with the remembrance of a saint who embodied divine wisdom.
Avdhoot Atmananda’s life and teachings invite each individual to experience Dev Deepavali not only as an external celebration but as an opportunity to ignite their inner light. His words echo through the Ganges' hymns, the diyas' glow, and the meditation's peaceful silence, encouraging all to seek a higher truth beyond the material world. Through this dual observance, we honour the eternal bond between the human soul and the divine, reminding us that just as each diya reflects the light of the divine, every soul is a unique expression of the infinite consciousness that pervades all existence.
