Deepavali At Ayodhya: Temple Lights Rekindle A Civilisation’s Ancient Flame

History rarely witnesses moments of such profound upheaval that they redefine humanity's dominant worldview.

These tectonic shifts, like the Copernican and Darwinian revolutions, begin as singular events, their impact rippling outwards to reshape our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

Such a shift may be upon us.

As Hindus gather in Ayodhya to celebrate Deepavali, illuminated by the newly built temple at Rama's birthplace, the resurgence of a civilisation once perceived as fading into oblivion reverberates powerfully.

The narrative of Hinduism's decline, a faith dissolving into the currents of other religions and nationalities, appears increasingly obsolete. This very notion of Hinduism's inevitable demise stemmed from a deeply ingrained prejudice, a belief that its polytheistic nature rendered it a relic of the past, an "abomination" destined to fade away in the face of monotheism's supposed superiority.

This ancient tradition, defying the supposed universal law of progress that dictates a linear march from polytheism to monotheism, stands as a testament to its enduring resilience.

Yet, within secular India, the pro-monotheistic worldview permeated the intellectual and political landscape, becoming enshrined in the powerful echelons of academic Marxism and its diluted version, the de facto state ideology of Nehruvianism.

There are other memetic versions of this worldview, like Dravidianism with its vulgar combination of pseudo-rationalism and borrowed racial politics. It also views Hinduism as a religion moving fast into extinction.

Indian freedom fighter-turned-Marxist ideologue M N Roy said what Islam brought was an ‘absolute sway of one supreme God’ that ‘alone’ could ‘encourage people to revolt against the tyranny of a whole host of tribal deities.’

That Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kasi — those most sacred of Hindu pilgrimage sites, the very soul destinations of countless Hindu generations — suffered the desecration of their holiest temples, replaced by towering symbols of conquest by a non-Hindu religion, remained a wound unacknowledged by those who ruled India for nearly 70 years.

This profound indifference to the spiritual heart of a civilisation speaks volumes of the disconnect between the rulers and the ruled, a tragic dissonance that echoed through the corridors of history.

The Sri Rama Janma Bhumi movement changed it all.

While it may appear, on the surface, that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wielded Ayodhya as a political weapon, a deeper truth radiates deeper within. Ayodhya, imbued with the weight of centuries and the yearning of souls, used the BJP as its instrument, guided by forces far more ancient and profound.

When the temple finally dawned on this sacred land, time froze here, being sanctified witnessing the bhakti-filled balidhan (martyrdom) of kar sevaks of our own time and countless warriors of Sanatana Dharma throughout history. It proclaimed the resounding spiritual defiance.

India, in a symphony of thyaga (sacrifice) at its highest and collective shraddha (devotion) superlative, challenged the globally dominant false narrative of monopolistic expansionism as a civilising mission and the supposed triumph of monotheism over the natural and native spiritual traditions of the world as progress.

This is simultaneously a spiritual awakening and a civilisation reclaiming its soul. It is a testament to the enduring power of Dharma Sanatana against the tides of historical erasure.

Deepavali, the festival of light, illuminates Ayodhya, where countless lamps will shine before Sri Rama's magnificent temple. These infinite tiny dots of radiant flames carry a profound message of theodiversity, a beacon of hope in a world tragically consumed by conflict.

For it is the acceptance of diverse spiritual paths, the recognition of the divine in its myriad forms, that can shield humanity from the devastation we witness in West Asia today.

Reflect on this tragedy: one God, three faiths, intertwined scriptures, yet driven to deny and destroy their shared spiritual heritage. This animosity towards the mother religion, Judaism, fuels a theological inability to accept Israel and coexist peacefully.

The consequences are heartbreakingly evident: sirens wail in Tel Aviv, buildings crumble in Gaza, and innocent children bear the scars of a conflict rooted in the refusal to share this sacred land.

This destruction stems from a theology of monopolistic expansionism, a dangerous belief in the singular, exclusive truth of one faith.

India, with its near-infinite manifestation of gods and goddesses, offers a different path. Village deities, family deities, deities of mountains, rivers, plants, and animals — all woven into the vibrant tapestry of our spiritual landscape. Conflicts may arise, but they are resolved through dialogue and understanding. Puranic internalising heals the divides, not imposed biased agenda narratives etched in minds as historical truth.

Sri Rama, the embodiment of harmonious coexistence, embraces and reveres all diversities. In his compassionate embrace, vanaras and bear clans, birds, and tribal communities find a sanctuary of respect and acceptance.

Contrast this with Ravana. Though Rama and Ravana belonged to Vedic culture, Ravana was for a monolithic Rakshasa army with the inbuilt notion of a Rakshasa supremacist tendency.

Rama is both the noble prince of the Ishvaku dynasty and the universal Brahman, the divine essence that permeates all creation. Every Hindu heart holds its own cherished image of Rama. The Rama of the frugal Thyagaraja, the weaver Kabir, the poet Kamban, and the devotee Tulsidas — each a unique facet of the divine, yet all reflections of the same luminous truth.

Imagine Valmiki and Tulsidas meeting on the banks of the Sarayu before the janmasthan temple. Would they debate the nuances of their respective Ramayanas? Nay, they would be united in their devotion, their sahridhya hearts overflowing with Sri Rama bhakti.

For Rama is the spiritual unity that underlies the rich religious diversity. He is the bridge that connects seemingly disparate paths, the harmony that resonates through the symphony of existence. In his divine embrace, sectarian walls dissolve, and the oneness of heart shines forth.

We as a civilisation waited 500 years for lighting the lamp at Ayodhya Mandir this Deepavali. As we light the lamp, let us thank the balidanis of Dharma who kept the bhagwa (saffron) flag high with their heart’s blood.

As we light the lamp, let us pray that the light of Ayodhya should illuminate the darkened skies of the world where sectarian violence is robbing children of their rightful future.