You may have witnessed the lighting of lamps in front of the God at your home, and relatives’ place, in the temple/Gurudwara, at the entrance or while carrying out any puja.
Worth to mention, It is a traditional ritual in India to light a lamp in the morning and evening before Deities. In Hinduism, every auspicious task begins after the lighting of the lamp. Whether there is a wedding ceremony, Naam Karan ceremony, Grah Pravesh, any festival or puja; the lamp is lit to seek the divine blessings of God.
Known as ‘Deepak, Jyoti or Jyot’ which represents Agni, the lighting of a lamp removes darkness, ignorance, unhappiness spreading the Almighty’s grace and divine energy in the surrounding. Light also symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and knowledge. The lightning of an oil lamp is regarded as to bow down to knowledge. Where the oil/ghee in the lamp denotes our vices, the cotton wick is the symbolism of the ego of a person. When the oil/ghee lamp is lit, the vices demolish and the ego drives away or drained out. The flame of the lamp goes in an upward direction which signifies one should obtain knowledge in a way that uplifts oneself to do higher deeds.
It is also said that Goddess Rajarajeshwari who is the combined form of Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati resides in the lamp. Therefore, to please Goddess Rajarajeshwari and win favour, offer vermillion and flowers on every Friday. It is also believed that married women should pray and light a lamp for the happiness, and prosperity of the family, to experience motherhood and women of marriageable age to get an ideal life partner.
You must recite the following mantras while lighting the lamp before the Deities to attain maximum blessings.
– Shubham Karoti Kalyanam, Arogyam Dhan Sampadah, Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya Deepa Jyotir Namostute.
Or
– Deepajyothi Parabrahma, deepajyothi janardhana, deepo me hara tu paapam, deepa jyothir namostute.
The significance of cotton wicks-
• Single Wick. Known as Eka Mukha Deepam provides normal benefits.
• Two Wicks- known as Dwimukha Deepam, it brings peace and harmony to the lives of family members and relatives.
• Three Wicks- known as Trimukha Depam, it blesses with progeny.
• Four Wicks- known as Chathurmukha deepam, it provides all-around prosperity and abundance of food.
• Five Wicks- Known as Panchammukha Deepam, it blesses a person with immense wealth.
• Six Wicks- Known as Sanmukha Deepam, it helps in attaining knowledge and renunciation.
The importance of direction for lighting lamps-
• East- in order to get good health and peace of mind.
• West- light a lamp daily in west direction and notice yourself from freeing from debts and victorious.
•North- light a lamp in this direction to achieve success in all ventures.