Lightning Lamp

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna,

 

Given below from my collections.

 

 

 

 

In every Hindu household it is customary to light the deepam 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 spirtual 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.â€The following shlokas, chanted while lighting a deepam, say it all.1 - Deepajyotih param brahma deepajyotih janaardhanahDeepo harathu me paapam sandhyaa deepo namo(a)stutaeThe 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 dhanasampadahaShatru buddhi vinaas(h)aaya deepajyotih

namo(a)stutaeI 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 vrikshaahaJalae sthalae ae nivasanthu

jeevaahaDhrishtvaa pradeepam na cha janma bhaajoBhavanthi nithyam svachaahi vipraahaLearned people say that by seeing the brightly lit deepam,insets,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 wicks 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 !

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.

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.This will genearte a positive energy in the house. The light is to be faced towards God. It gives a good feeling to see God in the flame’s light.

 

1. neem oil,ghee, iluppaioil---gives wealth2. For Kula Deivam--ghee castor oil, neem oil, coconut oil, iluppai oil3.for Goddess Mahalakshmi--gheeLord Ganesha--coconut oilLord Narayana--sesame oil

 

 

1.Lighting lamp with sesame oil destroys all evils.Lighting with castor oil brings joy to the relatives.We should never use groundnut oil.2.Amongst the wicks best is cotton as it would give prosperity.Lotus steam thread removes all sins.wick made out of new yellow cloth gives devi's blessings.3.Directions regarding the lighting of lamp-East removes sorrow and evil,West removes debt,enemies.4.If you use one wick,it is not so good,two gives happiness in the family,3 giving birth to a child,4 gives wealth,5 gives welfare ,health and all round prosperity.5.After we finish puja,we should put it off with a flower.Let me close with a beautiful quote of Swami Chinmayananda:Which else shall beautify a homeBut the flame

of a lovely lampWhich else shall adorn the mindBut the light of wisdom deep ?Love

Sree

[Guest guest]

guruvayur , " sreedhar c.p " <sreepal20

wrote:

>

> Hare Krishna,

>  

> Given below from my collections. 

>

> ________________________________

>

> The flame is fed on the oil of clear devotion and enlivened by the

breeze of intense love of contemplation on the Lord. The wicks is the

intellect strengthened by impressions of strivings to cultivate the

right values. This is the spiritual significance of a deepam

 

Love

> Sree

 

Hari Om Shri Sreedharji, Pranaams!

 

Very Nice explanation indeed.

 

This comparision is given by Shankaracharyaji in his commentary on

Bhagavad Gita verse 10.11.

 

teShAm-eva-anukampArtham-aham-ajnAnajam tamaH.

nAshayAmi-AtmabhAvasthaH jnAna-dIpena bhAsvatA.

 

Out of compassion for them(devotees), I, dwelling within their

hearts, destroy the darkness born of ignorance by the luminous Lamp-

of-Knowledge.

 

Swami Chinmayanandaji opines that this grace of Lord is required to

move from savikalpa to nirvikalpa samadhi.

 

In Shri Guru Smriti,

Br. Pranipata Chaitanya