what is the purpose lightning a lamp in the temple ?

Question

society

Answer 1

Why do we light a lamp?
In almost every Indian Temple and home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. In some houses it is lit at drawn, in some, twice a day – at dawn and dusk and in a few it is maintained continuously (akhanda deepa). All auspicious functions and moments like daily worship, rituals and festivals and even many social occasions like inaugurations commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion.Light symbolizes knowledge and darkness, ignorance. The Lord is the “Knowledge Principle” (chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener 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 achievements can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. Knowledge backs all our actions whether good or bad. We therefore keep a lamp lit during all auspicious occasions as a witness to our thoughts and actions. 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 symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wicked, 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. A single lamp can light hundreds more just as a man of knowledge can give it to many more. The brilliance of the light does not diminish despite its repeated use to light many more lamps. So too knowledge does not lessen when shared with or imparted to others. On the contrary it increases in clarity and conviction on giving. It benefits both the receiver and the giver. Whilst lighting the lamp we thus pray :

"Deepajyotihi parabrahma Deepa sarva tamopababa Deepena sadhyate sarvam 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.

Thus this custom contains a wealth of intellectual and spiritual meaning. -

Answer 2

In almost every Indian Temple and 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 and moments like daily worship, rituals and festivals and even many social occasions like inaugurations commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion.Light symbolizes knowledge and darkness, ignorance. The Lord is the “Knowledge Principle” (chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener 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 achievements can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. Knowledge backs all our actions whether good or bad. We therefore keep a lamp lit during all auspicious occasions as a witness to our thoughts and actions. 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 symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wicked, 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. A single lamp can light hundreds more just as a man of knowledge can give it to many more. The brilliance of the light does not diminish despite its repeated use to light many more lamps. So too knowledge does not lessen when shared with or imparted to others. On the contrary it increases in clarity and conviction on giving. It benefits both the receiver and the giver.

Answer 3

Temple Lamp

Answer 4

I also heard from elders that 'kaarthika deepam' lit in the whole month, shows light to the departed souls who is on their way to heaven, until then who were lamenting for their sins in the dark, secondly those also who take 'upavas' on pournami day and light 365 wicks near 'tulasi kota' will be benefited, if by mistake or sometimes when they are not in a position to light lamp at puja mandir at home daily. Every home must light a lamp daily in the morning and evening, if they go out of the station they must make alternate arrangement for lighting.

Answer 5

The god is in the form of five mugham. 1. Earth, 2. Water, 3. Fire, 4. Air, 5. Gas. So we have ti light the lamp in the temple to pray the god in the form of fire.

Answer 6

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a great Hindous scholar said it is a play, as God turns the sun around him, he turns the light (lamp) around his statues.

Answer 7

to assure ourselves that a lamp being lit up outside may light up within ourselves too any moment !

Answer 8

Light and flame are the media through which we get blessed by the higher power.

Answer 9

Maybe the lamp is you. The light is within you, you are it. THOU ART THAT!

Answer 10

To remove any negative energy.