Summary of commentary
- Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, is being celebrated across India and the global diaspora this week, marking the arrival of spring and symbolizing renewal, joy, and the triumph of good over evil.
- The festival begins with Holika Dahan, the lighting of ceremonial bonfires that commemorate the legend of Prahlada and Holika and represent the burning away of ego, negativity, and harmful habits.
- Communities worldwide mark Holi with vibrant gatherings where participants throw colored powders, share sweets, and set aside social divisions in a spirit of friendship and reconciliation.
- In Caribbean nations such as Trinidad and Tobago, Holi—often called Phagwa—remains an important cultural celebration rooted in the traditions of Indo-Caribbean communities.
- Beyond the festivities, many spiritual traditions highlight Holi as a reminder of inner renewal, encouraging reflection, forgiveness, and the cultivation of virtues such as peace, love, and humility.
AS child in Trinidad in the 1960s Holi was a warm hug from my mom with the playful application of color to my face. A wonderful memory of family and belonging. By early teens, my experience of Holi had expanded beyond walls and flowed into open grounds where neighbors gathered informally, drawn by an unspoken invitation. The atmosphere was light and happy, as if momentarily unburdened, there was freedom to meet, greet and share, freedom to live, love and laugh. I enjoyed the cheerful sense of friendship and community that was created. I never had a second thought of the why or what of the occasion, until years later.
Holika
Historically, Holi marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. One of its most beloved legends is the story of Holika. Prahlada, a devoted child of God, refused to worship his father, the evil king Hiranyakashipu. Enraged, the king plotted to kill him. Holika, the king’s sister, possessed a boon that made her immune to being burnt. So, with Prahlada in her arms, she stepped into a fire intending to destroy him. But, through divine grace, Prahlada remained unharmed while Holika perished. The story is commemorated on the eve of Holi with the lighting of bonfires, symbolising the burning of ego, arrogance, and negativity.
This ancient narrative points toward an inner truth. Holika represents the false protections of pride and power, while Prahlada symbolizes unwavering faith. When the soul aligns with the Divine, destructive forces lose their strength. The fire of truth burns away impurity, leaving honor intact. Holi therefore begins with purification.
Social Barriers Fall
The beauty of Holi lies not only in its brightness but in its emotional atmosphere. Social barriers fall away. Strangers greet each other with “Happy Holi.” Laughter replaces resentment. For a day, society becomes lighter, freer, more forgiving. It is as though our humanity glimpses its original innocence.
The Soul
As fabric absorbs color, the soul absorbs influence. In daily life, the mind is colored by the company it keeps, the media it consumes, the conversations it entertains and the desires it pursues. Anger colors us red, jealousy stains us green and fear erodes our brilliance. Yet the cycle of life holds the promise of renewal. Holi reveals that the method for this transformation is to be colored by the golden company of God.
TheBrahma Kumaris reminds us that when the soul remembers God through meditation, it becomes “colored” by divine qualities. This is not metaphor alone; it is an inner experience. In the silence of remembrance, peace settles naturally. Love flows without demand. Joy arises instinctively. The soul slowly rejuvenates to its original state of light, happiness and strength. Yoga or remembrance of the Supreme is a simple accumulative mental practice perfected through regular repetition. Early morning, say 4am, is best for this subtle communion, where one coaches the mind into considering the self as a soul and then invoking the company of God.
The real color of Holi is not powder thrown into the air, but spiritual awareness awakened within. The bonfire represents the burning of past weaknesses like lust anger, greed, attachment and ego. The colors represent the virtues received in exchange.
God’s Company
There is a short story about a devotee who asked, “How do I know when I am close to God?” The teacher replied, “When others feel God in your presence.” Just as one who handles sandalwood carries its scent, one who keeps God’s company radiates calm, honesty trust and silence. This is the true coloring of the soul. His divine company transforms our consciousness.
The joy of Holi is not accidental. Happiness arises when the soul reconnects with its original nature. According to many spiritual teachings, the soul in its pure state is peaceful, loving, and blissful. Over time, these qualities become obscured by ego and worldly influences. Holi symbolises their restoration. It begins with the burning of Holika, cutting ourselves off from past vices and bad habits. Make a decision, burn them, and stand firm so that there is then space for the mind to reabsorb the color of the virtues and a positive nature.
Ultimately, Holi celebrates relationship. It’s the warm embrace of the Supreme Mother, decorating our faces with the playful colors of His divine love. It reminds us that true happiness does not come from external stimulation but from being awakened to our inner divinity through the company of God.
Vijai Sadal is a student of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Meditation Centre. He can be reached at vijai@pepesmkt.com
