Hinduism Rituals - Lighting a Lamp

One usually has the notion that Hinduism is a belief. But in actual sense it is the art of living. This Hindu dharma has unique features. Dharma means the way of life with customs and rituals. It is based on scientific spirituality. Hindu literature includes both science and religious studies.

In India, the rituals are followed by one and all for the benefit of the family, society and the nation as a whole. It is very important to understand these rituals logically, scientifically and rationally rather than following blindly. Each ritual followed in a Hindu home has some meaning which had to be done systematically.

Lighting A Lamp - A Spiritual Perspective

Every Indian household has the practice of lighting a lamp before the altar of the God. In some houses this lamp is lit twice a day, at dawn and at dusk, which is continued generation after generation. All auspicious and important functions begin with the lighting of the lamp and are maintained right through the function.

This lighting of a lamp denotes some meaning. Light represent knowledge and darkness represents ignorance. The Lord himself is the source, the enlivener and enlightener of all knowledge. So the light in the lamp is worshipped as the Lord himself.

Knowledge expels ignorance likewise light removes darkness. Moreover, knowledge is the everlasting wealth within us through which all our external success can be attained. Thus we light the lamp and bow before knowledge as the supreme form of wealth.

One may argue why a lamp, well it can be a bulb or a tube light also. These two light sources have the potential to dispel darkness as well as a lamp. But the traditional oil lamp symbolizes spiritual importance. The oil or ghee in the lamp represent our greed, lust and anger which are all negative emotions. The wick in the lamp symbolizes our ego. So when the lamp is lit with spiritual knowledge it is believed that the negative emotions are slowly worn out and the ego also dies. The flame of the lamp always burns upwards. This denotes that we should aim for knowledge that takes us to higher ideals which makes out life worth living.

Thus while lighting the lamp one prays to god asking to bless him with the light of knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance from his life and help him to achieve success in life.

This lamp is lit in front of the Lord in a separate room called the prayer or pooja room in all Indian homes. This is a daily ritual along with meditation, devotional singing and prayers. This room, due to its positive inclination, vibrates only positive waves. So one can find solace even at the time of stress or strain and can have peace of mind as sacred thoughts and vibrations pervade, create and have impact on the people who spend time there. When tired, exhausted or agitated a few minutes of meditation in this prayer room with the lamp lit in the front can make one feel calm within oneself and become rejuvenated spiritually as well as positively uplifted. This approach can always lead to a peaceful and contented life, which is very essential in everyone's life.

Sources:

www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Religion-and-Spirituality/Hinduism.topic__ss_categories_ss_religion-and-spirituality_ss_Hinduism.pg_00.html

www.experiencefestival.com/a/Hinduism_Rituals/id/54123