Why do we do? - Why do we light a Lamp? Indian Traditions
In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some, twice a day – at dawn and dusk – and in a few it is maintained continuously Akhanda Deepa. All auspicious functions commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion. Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness - ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (Chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord himself.
Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. Why not light a bulb or tube light? That too would remove darkness. But the traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals. Whilst lighting the lamp we thus pray:
Deepajyothi parabrahma Deepa sarva tamopahaha Deepena saadhyate sarvam Sandhyaa deepo namostute
I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp; whose light is the Knowledge Principle (the Supreme Lord), which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved in life.
– Sri Swami Chinmayananda (Chinmaya Mission)
In every Hindu home a lamp or ‘diya’ is lit daily before a Hindu deity or any symbol associated with Hinduism. Many Hindus also perform an ‘arati’ with the traditional oil lamp. The lamp is lit in the morning or evening or both morning and evening. In some houses the lamp is maintained continuously and is known Akhand Deep or Akhanda Diya.
The light in the lamp symbolizes knowledge. It removes darkness, which symbolizes ignorance. Thus light symbolizes Brahman. The wick in the traditional oil lamp symbolizes ego and the oil or ghee used symbolizes our negative tendencies. When we are lit by self knowledge, the negative tendencies (oil) melt away and finally the ego (wick) perishes. When the ego perishes, we realize that we are all part of Brahman and that life is a continuity. The lighting of ‘diya’ or lamp at home is considered highly auspiciousness as it brings prosperity and good health. The daily evening lamp lit at home also gives us an opportunity to ponder over one’s omissions and commissions in a day. Hinduism is not a religion but a way of Life. Unlike other religions, Hindu Dharma has many specialities. This is not known as a religion, it is known as the Dharma, Sanaathana Dharma. According to Bhagavath Geeta, Sanaathana means which cannot be destroyed by Fire, Weapons, Water, Air, and which is present in all living and nonliving being. Dharma means, the way of life which is the "Total of all aachaaraas or customs and rituals." In almost every Indian home lamp / Villakku is lit daily before the Altar of the Lord. In some house it is maintained continuously Akhanda Deepam. All auspicious function commence with the lighting of the Villakku, which is often maintained throughout the function. Light symbolizes Knowledge and Darkness - Ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" who is the source, the enlivener (An
agent that gives or restores life ) and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence Light is worshipped as the Lord himself. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all our acievement can be accomplished.Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knwlodge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.
The Lamp has further spirutual significance. The Oil or ghee in the lamp symbolises our Vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick (Thiri) symbolises ego, When lit by spirutual knowledge, the Vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards, similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals. Whilst lighting the lamp we thus pray : Deepajyothi parabrahma Deepa sarva tamopahaha Deepena saadhyate saram Sandhyaa deepo namostute
Meaning of the Slokam : I prostrate to the dawn / dusk lamp, whose light is the knowledge principle (the supreme lord) , which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved in life. The following points to be noted while Lighting lamps : •
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The lamp can be lit by Ghee or oil . Sesame oil / Gingely oil destroys all evils. lighting with castor oil brings joy to the relatives. We should not use Groundnut Oil. Neem oil, Ghee, Iluppai( A tree name..In English it is called as Mahua ) oil gives wealth. For Kula Deivam - Ghee, Castoroil, Neemoil, Coconutoil, Iluppaioil. For Goddess Mahalakshmi-ghee. Lord Ganesha--coconut oil. Lord Narayana--sesame oil The Cotton wick (Thiri) is best as it would give Prosperity. And wick made out of New Yellow cloth gives Devi's blessings. The Lamp lit towards the east removes Sorrow and Evil , West removes Debt , Enemies. Always use two wicks for lighting the Lamp. After lighting the lamp dont rub the excess oil on your hair; (it will make you loose your wealth) general beleif. Also rubbing in your own dress is also not good.So keep a piece of cloth in your pooja room and rub the excess oil in it . Never keep any lamp directly on the kolam. Always keep it on a plate ( can be brass, silver not steel). If you like keep a few grains of raw rice below the lamp - this is necessary only when you do vilakku poojai etc & not necessary everyday. As soon as you finish namaskarams, shlokas etc, it is customary to keep a dot of milk on either side of the burning lamp after which you can put it off. After it burns for a minimum 30 mts, you can put it off, there is nothing wrong. After head bath, one should remove the head towel before even lighting the lamp . Lemon (Elumichai) vilakku lighting should not be done at home at all. It is to be lighted only in temples. There is no harm in lighting the usual villakku at rahu kalam & chanting Durga shlokams, particularly on tuesday & friday at home.
Source : www.indusladies.com
In every Hindu household it is customary to light the deepam ( lamp) twice, both in the morning and evening. This is usually done in the prayer room before the deity. Our daily worship starts with the lighting of the lamp. All auspicious functions, religious as well as social, start with the lighting of the lamp. This custom has deep intellectual and spiritual significance. Primarily deepam signifies knowledge. All our activities should be governed by the light of knowledge, especially the knowledge of dharma. By this knowledge, ignorance or darkness is dispelled. We bow to knowledge which is the greatest wealth in our lives. Knowledge also backs our good as well as bad actions. So, the lamp which is kept lit for all auspicious occasions, is a witness to our thoughts and actions.
Chinmayananda says "Where there is light, darkness cannot be; Where knowledge has come, ignorance must quit." The following shlokas, chanted while lighting a deepam, say it all. 1 - Deepajyotih param brahma deepajyotih janaardhanah Deepo harathu me paapam sandhyaa deepo namo(a)stutae The light of the lamp stands for the Unmanifest Truth as well as for Lord Vishnu in His manifest form. Let that light of lamp remove my sins, results of omissions and commissions. 2 - Shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadaha Shatru buddhi vinaas(h)aaya deepajyotih namo(a)stutae I salute the Supreme who is the light in the lamp that brings auspiciousness, prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth and the destruction of Intellect's enemy. 3 - Suvarna vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri Sudhaanya vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri Kalyaana vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri Vibhoothi vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri I pray to Goddess Lakshmi to shower my house with abundance, grains, auspiciousness and prosperity. 4 - Keetaa pathangaa mas(h)akaashcha vrikshaaha Jalae sthalae ae nivasanthu jeevaaha Dhrishtvaa pradeepam na cha janma bhaajo Bhavanthi nithyam svachaahi vipraaha Learned people say that by seeing the brightly lit deepam, insects, birds, reptiles, trees and plants, all living things residing in water and light can be permanently liberated from bondages due to that particular janma.
The flame is fed on the oil of clear devotion and enlivened by the breeze of intense love of contemplation on the Lord. The wick is the intellect strengthened by impressions of strivings to cultivate the right values. This is the spiritual significance of a deepam compared to an electric light which can only remove darkness. Like the flame burning upwards, our knowledge must take us towards higher ideals. With a single deepam, we can light many more lights. But the original lamp does not diminish when helping to light others. This shows that our knowledge does not decrease when we share it with others. The clarity and conviction increase on giving and so the giver and receiver are both benefitted. A better, more beautiful explanation for lighting a deepam, cannot be given ! Let us not overly bother about whether we should light 2 or 5 faces, use oil or ghee – these are all minor things and to one's liking and convenience. Let me close with a beautiful quote of Swami Chinmayananda: Which else shall beautify a home But the flame of a lovely lamp Which else shall adorn the mind But the light of wisdom deep ?
