Hindu Rituals - Why do we light a lamp?

Human beings are curious by nature. Whenever some one asks you to do something, there is a question as to why I should do it. There are many rituals in Hinduism we follow blindly without knowing why we do it. It may be because of the following:

The elder whom you ask may be doing it without knowing why and will admonish you for asking foolish questions to hide his ignorance.

You may find it easier to do it just to avoid a confrontation.

You may avoid doing it and earn the disapproval in the community as a rebel who does not listen to elders.

But if you have the time and inclination there is enough material available on the world wide web (google,  social media platforms) these days to quench your thirst for knowledge.

However time these days is at a premium. Many do not have the time management skill to manage time at their disposal, Lots of time is wasted in travel. 

The tendency these days is to avoid taking trouble and consume what is readily available.That is why companies like Zomato, Swiggy are prospering.

I am not a great scholar who knows a lot of things by myself, hence this post is not the original written by me on my own. This is more like a WhatsApp forward.

So, as a person who has a lot of time on hand and the inclination to read and share , I have taken the trouble of doing a little research and I will serve you all (those who take the trouble of following me) with ready to consume knowledge. I know the only way to reach you all is through the Cellphone which everyone goes through daily.

Starting today I am starting a new series on Hindu Rituals I hope you all will enjoy this series. Your feedback will be appreciated.

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 symbolises knowledge, and darkness - ignorance. 

The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (Chaitanya) who is the source, the enliven-er and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshipped 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 symbolises 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.

Edit