SYMBOLISM :- WHY DO WE LIGHT OIL LAMP?
The act of daily lighting the oil lamp before the divine altar holds deep significance within numerous households, embodying a cherished tradition passed down through generations. While some families choose to kindle it at the first light of dawn, others opt for twice-daily illumination, marking both the dawn and dusk with reverence. In certain homes, the lamp remains an eternal flame, symbolizing an unbroken connection to the sacred. This time-honored practice extends beyond routine devotion, resonating profoundly in various auspicious occasions such as weddings, festivals, religious ceremonies, and even societal milestones like inaugurations and commercial gatherings. Across these diverse events, the perpetuation of lamp lighting serves as a testament to spiritual reverence and ceremonial sanctity.
From ancient times, fire and oil have been venerated as symbols of holiness, representing hope, guidance, and divine blessings. Traditionally crafted from clay, these humble oil lamps symbolize the dispelling of darkness and the enlightenment of one’s spiritual journey. The act of lighting diyas holds symbolic significance, inviting the divine presence into the sanctum. It serves to illuminate not only physical darkness but also metaphorical ignorance, signifying the victory of light over obscurity and the purification of one’s soul. More than a mere ritual, lighting diyas is a tangible expression of devotion and dedication to the divine. It symbolizes the devotee’s surrender to a higher power and their unwavering commitment to righteousness.
While electric lamps also serve the practical purpose of dispelling darkness, the traditional oil lamp holds deeper spiritual significance. Within its elements lies symbolism: the oil or ghee representing our inner tendencies or “vaasanas,” while the wick symbolizes the ego. When illuminated by spiritual knowledge, these “vaasanas” gradually diminish, and the ego eventually fades away. The upward-burning flame of the lamp serves as a metaphorical guide, urging us to seek knowledge and ascend towards loftier ideals. Unlike its electric counterpart, the traditional lamp offers not only illumination but also a pathway to inner transformation and spiritual enlightenment.