Deepavali is the festival of lights celebrated by Indians since time immemorial. Legend has it that on this day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya kingdom after finishing life in the forest to fulfill his father’s promise of two boons to Rama’s step-mother, who in turn had asked for Rama to be sent into the forest for 14 years and her own son Bharat to be crowned as king.
One of the greatest stories of great sacrifice is the Ramayana in India where brothers, not fighting or betraying each other for the kingdom, were instantly ready to sacrifice for sake of the other. Rama readily, smilingly agreed to go to the forest giving the kingdom to his younger step-brother Bharat. Bharat was also great and refused the kingdom and looked after it on behalf of Rama until eventually Rama came back and ascended to the throne of Ayodhya.
Indians worship Rama as a Divine incarnation, a great Self Realized Yogi. Rama came back after vanquishing demon king Ravana. In some parts of India it is celebrated also for the Divine incarnating as Vaamana and His triumph over the ego of Emperor Bali. There might be several other reasons or stories for celebrating in different parts of the Indian sub-continent.
Thus, Deepavali is considered as the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, light over darkness in life.
Incidentally Baba left his home on Deepavali to reach his Guru Shivabalayogi Maharaj’s abode in Dehra Dun where Guru Maharaj Swamiji had sent him to look after the Ashram and to do Sadhana. Another coincidence is that 38 years ago it was on the same date of 13 November according to English calendar in 1974 that Baba, after celebrating early morning Deepavali in the family, left his home and all worldly relations to be at the Lotus Feet of his Divine Master Shivabalayogi Swamiji.
In the same way that Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya, may the Divine reveal His presence manifested in everything, everywhere, as everything to every soul.
Also, many Deepavali messages of greetings and love have come from devotees. Through this message Baba would like to convey appreciations for your love.