On this Deepavali Night

Let the Festival of Light
remove all darkness from the soul –
each individual’s and collective mankind’s.

Let the Radiant illumine the mind
with power to dream, will to change
and resolve to do what’s right.

Let the light nourish the body,
to fight demons inside and out,
to stand up against all plight.

Let even the smallest diya bring
warmth of the thousand suns to a grieving soul
or that wretched shivering in the cold.

Let the array of lamps lit the way
to health and happiness,
to peace and prosperity.

Let on this very Deepavali night 

and always,
be in the light, be that LIGHT –
be a ray of hope to those astray.

This is my prayer for you and me!

Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, this prayer is  influenced by preaching of Swami Vivekananda.

© 2008 Sanjoy Haldar