From Prayers of Soul, by Swami Premananda
Come join the festival of light.
The Light of Light has arrived and is in touch with the souls of all souls. Each soul is a shining light; bring your luminous lamp of joy and happiness, and lend your ecstasy to the rapturous delight of all hearts. The stars in the sky above have come with their bright lights to fill the firmament with the celestial lights of the gods of heavens and earth. The sweet jasmines have infused the evening breeze with the exotic fragrance of the intoxicating perfume. The whole world is uplifted with the spirit of love, and man and nature are in the indulgence of divine ecstasy. The bliss of God has spread its blossoms of happiness upon the hearts of the lovers of love.
The Nataraj has lighted his lamp, and the whole universe is illumined with the cosmic cycle of celestial effulgence. The Divine Dancer has ushered the yoga of joy for all souls to become one in the rhythm of ecstasy. Light reveals beauty, beauty brings joy, and joy lifts the soul into the paradise of purity and peace. Sublimity of happiness is the ascension of soul. Joy is the jewel of the human heart, and peace is the ornament of the human soul. Bliss is the blue diamond on the forehead of the icon of divine consciousness. Soul in peace is in the bliss of God. Soul dances with joy and the freedom of self-effulgent self-illumination.
The darkness of sorrow and sadness, pain and suffering has vanished from the sphere of human consciousness, and the spirit of man is awakened in the lustrous splendor of beauty and purity and holiness. Darkness is dawn in ascension like the fragrant incense rising in adoration of the Devata, the Deity of Light. Dance is the invitation of love from soul to soul to become one in the hall of happiness. Love unfolds the flower of soul to blossom forth with the petals of hidden happiness. The light of God glows in the hearts of lovers in the embrace of purity of soul. The light of God shines in the soul of man.
Invitation to dance is an offering of love and the chalice of love. Dance is a sacred sacrament of love. The breeze offers an invitation to dance to the butterfly with shimmering wings. The dew drop opens its pure heart welcoming the light of the dawn.
Creation is the dance of the Creator in the cosmic rhythm of love. Love is heavenly and divine. Love is God. Come and dance with love in the light of holiness. Come let your soul dance with love and consort with the ballet of the lighted candles. Let the pure hearts melt in joy in the festival of love.
The Light of Light has touched the souls with his lamp of love. Come—join the festival of the dance of light.
Light is God.