Why do we light a lamp?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA
JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR
JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna to our Readers!

We started a new topic in the last post which deals with a series of questions related to the customs and traditions that form a part and parcel of Hinduism and which are followed by the Hindus in their day to day life.

The first question was that what is the reason behind lighting a lamp. Let us look at the hidden meaning behind this act.

A bulb or tube light 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.

Wow! Isn’t that amazing!! In a seemingly unmeaningful act lies such a deep meaning! But that’s the beauty of Hinduism. The customs are so simple yet so complicated and logical.

We will deal with the next question in the next post.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

Let us look at the herb named Brahmi Booti (Herpestis Monniera) in this post.

1. It is a low spreading herb with small leaves
2. It resembles a horse’s hoof
3. It is generally found on the river banks
4. It is a specific medicine to deal with the problem of memory lapses
5. It tends to strengthen the faculties of the brain

We will describe another herb in our next post. Till then Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam