Namaste and aloha from Hawaii. I wish you and your family a happy Diwali.

The essence of Diwali is love for God, bhakti yoga. This love for God flooded the hearts of the residents of Ayodhya upon Lord Rama’s return from exile. And it can fill our hearts as well. No matter who we are, no matter what our race, religion, economic status, gender, age, or any other material consideration, each of us can use our lives in the loving service of God. This is one of the great lessons of the Ramayana.

When Lord Rama was constructing the great bridge from India to Sri Lanka, his powerful, devoted servant Hanuman was leading the endeavor, throwing huge boulders into the sea.

As Hanuman tossed one such boulder into the sea, he glanced down and saw a small spider kicking dust with his tiny legs into the water. Hanuman, one-pointedly focused on getting the job done, strongly told the little spider to stay out of his way—that what he was doing wasn't of any help.

But when Lord Rama heard Hanuman, He, out of His love, chastised Hanuman. Lord Rama taught Hanuman and all of us that this tiny creature was in fact also engaging in the Lord’s loving service by contributing as much as he was capable of, according to his abilities. God is interested in the quality, not the quantity of our offering. And what determines the quality of one’s offering? This is made clear by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita when He says:

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”

~ Bhagavad Gita 9:26

The Supreme Lord is so kind that He accepts even a tiny little offering like a flower or a little water if it is offered with love. This means that what God wants from us is our love.

So as we light our lamps for Diwali, let us light the lamps of love for God within our hearts, and take shelter in His unconditional love for us.  He is eager to embrace us with His love and to accept our loving service to Him, no matter how insignificant that service may seem to be.

Namaste and Happy Diwali!