Rajaram said, “All rituals have such deep inner meaning. But most people perform them mechanically without understanding this. Also some sadhaks do not have a ritualistic bent of mind. How should they relate to divinity, Pujya Guruji ?”
Shri Nimishananda Guruji replied, “All spiritual sadhaks should realise that it is not enough if one engages oneself in personal sadhana. For the mind and heart to expand, selfless service is necessary. Liveliness and joy fill our beings when we begin to serve others. The more we give, the more we receive. Here we are not talking merely about material wealth or objects. The knowledge, skills and talents that we have should be shared generously with others. All of us are conscious beings who can think for ourselves. Whatever activity we are engaged in, let us perform it visualising the divinity in the person we are doing it for. Then we are constantly tuning in to the divine. Grace flows abundantly through us to the world in everything that we do, spiritually enriching us and all those around us.
When we are truly earnest in our quest for god, He sends his messengers to us. Every object we touch and every person we meet becomes a guide to lead us onward on the path to truth. If we look upon everyone around us as a teacher from whom we can learn, the soul is continuously strengthened and the ego is dissolved.
Observe all those who cross your path and see how you can help them. When you care, you will share. And when you share, god will care. God says, “The more you give others, the more I shall give you.”
Shri Nimishananda Guruji said, “Whoever knows the story can come to the mike and share it with everybody.” Two devotees spoke and related fragments of the story that they were able to recall.
Then Shri Nimishananda Guruji added, “As all of you know, the demon Narakasura was vanquished by Lord Krishna. Though Narakasura had terrorised the kingdom during his rule, he repented during the last moments of his life. Before dying, he surrendered at the Feet of Lord Krishna and said, “I have shrouded the world in darkness till now. Please forgive me and grant my last prayer. On this day every year, fill the world with the light of your Divine Wisdom.” So this is celebrated as the festival of lights — Diwali. Diwali is celebrated only in the Kali Yuga (the dark age of materialism). The Satya, Dwapara and Treta Yugas did not have Diwali (Each cycle of creation according to Sanathana Dharma is divided in four epochs or Yugas.)