Why do we......?

[Guest guest]

Respected Members,

 

I would like to start a small series of informative

snippets regarding various rituals we normally follow

in our day-to-day lives. Each one of us might have an

opinion of these either derived(As told by our

parents, Our first Gurus) or perceived. But here I

would like to bring forth the true meaning which

probably our ancestors intended to convey.

 

There have been times in our lives when our elders

asked to follow a few things and make it an essential

part of our lives to keep ourselves abreast with the

spiritual aspect. How often have we asked why this

needs to followed and how often have you found a

convincing answer? Frankly, most of the times, the

answer I got was, " These are the right things to do.

It will be good for you " .

 

But it is always interesting to know the crux behind

it and you will be startled to be convinced!

 

And yes, the all time famous disclaimer!

These articles are not mine own. I was fortunate

to have found it and was even more not to have gone

through a whole lot of literature!. Many of you might

have come across this, so would be a repitiion. But

thought of putting this across since it was the least

discussed. Also at this outset, my apologies in

advance if this would in any way negatively affect

someone(Which I hope will not!).And yes, pls feel free

to stop at any time!

 

This has been too long, lets get to the right stuff,

you will not have to bear this further in the series.

 

 

1. Why do we light a lamp?

 

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 saram

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.

 

Best Regards,

Sripathi

 

 

 

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