Significance of Deeparadhana (Lighting of lamps)

Posted by on Aug 1, 2010 in Vishnu | 0 comments

Jyothawali MAA Teri Sada hi Jai

Daily we start our prayer by lighting the lamps. Let’s see its benefits and significance…

It’s  a tradition to light a lamp first before starting any auspicious events/vedic rituals. Light symbolizes the absence of darkness, grief & unhappiness.
Almighty’s divine grace is spread all over the house by lighting the lamps.  Jyothawali, Jwalamaiya (those are the names of mother goddess durga in the form of Light).
Almighty’s first and foremost appearance is in the form of Light which we call as “Divine Light”. It is believed that devatas decend on earth to take a dip in the holy rivers on auspicious days like Pushakaras, Kumbhmela.. in the form of Divine Light visible only to saintly people.
Before starting your daily prayers, light a lamp (Oil lamps) by chanting this shloka:
Subham Karoti Kalyanam

Arogyam Dhana Sampadah
Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya
Deepa Jyotir Namostute

Meaning: I salute the One who is the lamplight that brings auspiciousness; prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy (6 enemies - Kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya).

After lighting the lamp apply little vermillion,turmeric on the edges of the Lamp holders and place a flower or Akshatas near the lampholders. The Lamp holders should be Silver, Brass, earthen mud or Gold but should not be Stainless Steel.

After lighting the lamp.. chant the shloka/prayer:

Deepajyothi Parabrahma
Deepajyothi Janardhana
Deepo me hara tu paapam
Deepa Jyothir Namostute

Meaning:

I salute the Lord, the sustainer of the creation, in the form of this light. I salute this light (the Lord), may He destroy afflictions resulting from my omissions and commissions.

Now you can start your prayers with Ganesha stotra followed by your Ishtadevi/devatas (Favorite deities) prayers.

Benefits of lighting lamps with different oils:

Cow’s ghee – Ensures radiance and Heavenly bliss

Ghee - Wealth, Health and Happiness

Gingely oil/Sesame oil – Removes unforseen dangers, Inauspicious events

Castor oil - Fame, Happy family life, and to gain Spiritual intellect

DEVATAS and their favorite Oil lamps:

Shree Mahalakshmi – Cow’s Ghee

Subramanya/Shreemannarayana – Sesame Oil

Ganesha – Coconut Oil

Devi Parashakti – Mixture of Ghee, Castor oil,Coconut oil,Ippanune (Oil extracted from a fruit resembling dried grapes),Vepanune (Oil extracted from the Neem Leaves)

All the gods  – Sesame Oil

Directions to be followed for placing/lighting lamps:

North - Blesses with Astaiswaryas. Success in all ventures undertaken. Most preferable direction to place and light a lamp

East – Blesses good health and peace of mind

West – Free from debts and Victory over enemies

South – Never place and light a lamp in the south direction. It will bring inauspicious events…

Number of Cotton Wicks to be used…

Single wick (Eka Mukha Deepam) is normal/medium benefit

Two wicks (Dwimuka deepam) brings harmony and peace in the family and relatives

Three wicks (Trimukha Deepam) Blesses with progeny

Four wicks (Chathurmukha deepam) brings allround prosperity and Sumptous food

Five wicks (Panchamkukha deepam) showers akhanda aishwaryam (Wealth)

Six wicks (Shanmukha deepam) blesses with Akhanda Gyana (Knowledge) & Vairagyam(Renunciation)

**Lampholders should be cleaned daily ** cotton wicks and the oil should be changed everyday **

PS: A few lines of precaution..Never leave lighted deepams unattended.If you are away from home, make sure to move the lamp holders  from the pooja area and place them in a small tumbler filled with little water or while doing prayers itself..add very little oil/ghee so that the diyas won’t last for hours and they blew off on its own.. Never blow off lighted deepams.  In some traditions…. the lamp is not allowed to blew off on its own.; rather sumangalis  pull the wick down when very little oil/ghee  is left and sprinkle raw milk on the wicks.

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