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 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.
3 comments:
Once again a very simple yet very inspiring and enlightening post.
Many thanks.
(I changed my wallpaper to a photo of diyas annotated with the text in your post)
Lighting lamps does not automatically burn our negative tendencies or egos! We need to work to attain knowledge and become true unbiased seekers of the way and the light and the truth that can actually affect this transformation!
May be take the next step as seekers from repetitive symbolism to real life application.
though lighting diyas being the most common thing in every hindu home,our new generation hardly have the curosity to ask why we do it. Surely with your all blogs,i am now able to pass this knowledge to my coming generations.
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