The Lamp Of Knowledge

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 and in a few it is maintained continuously. 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. But why do we light a lamp? Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness, ignorance. The lord is the “Knowledge Principle” who is the source, 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 an inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge. The traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by knowledge, the negative tendencies get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire knowledge that takes us towards higher ideals.