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 both at dawn and dusk, and in some it is maintained continuously - "akhanda deepa".

Light symbolises knowledge. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle"- "chaitanya". Hence Light is worshipped as the Lord himself.

Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.

The oil or "ghee" in the lamp symbolises our "vaasnas" or negative tendencies and the wick symbolises the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the "vaasnas" get slowly exhausted and ego too finally perishes.

The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. It teaches us to acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

A single lamp can help light many more just as a man of knowledge can share it with many more. It does not diminish the brilliance of the light just as knowledge isn't lessened by being shared.

"What else shall beautify a home

But the flame of a lovely lamp?

What else shall adorn the mind

But the light of wisdom deep?"

               Swami Chinmayananda