Traditional oil lamps in worship

[Guest guest]

With all due respects, I have a query here.

 

Traditionally, oil lamps are used in temples and Hindu houses while

worshipping the Almighty. It is assumed that it helps to invoke God

also.

Will electric lights be efficient enough to invoke ? Please advise.

 

Thanks.

 

Regards,

Balachandran M

 

Dear Sh.Balachandran,

 

"GRITAAKTA VARTI SAMYUKTAM ANDHAKARA VINASANAM, DEEPAM DASYAMI

DEVESI GRIHANA MUDITA BHAVA"

 

Is the saying of Aryans. Since the discovery of fire, it has become

a part of our daily needs. There used to be a common place of fire

(NEGADU) for utilization by civilians around in every village or

town. The fire, in gradual course turns out to be one of the Gods. It

is known "Aryans" were nature worshippers. The Fire was considered

one among "Pancha Maha Bhuta"

 

Main sanctum of any temple is covered on all sides, so one needs

light to move in. Therefore, to lit a light has become a part of

ritual in worship (ARCHANA / JAPA / ARADHANA). The lighted lamps in

any temple are hung before the Deity at a convenient height so

that "ALANKARANA, ABHARANA" (The dressing, Ornaments or adornment) is

clearly noticeable to the visitors. In some of the temples, precious

stones were used in adornment. The glittering of such stones gives a

pleasant emotion to the devotees. In the temple at "KANYA KUMARI",

the presiding Deity was decorated by a precious stone on her nose

stud. It used to flash due to the lamp hung before it and served as

lighthouse to the large boats in the sea.

 

Since the main sanctum of the temple is less aerated, the oil use in

lamps was categorized considering the hygienity. The first and

foremost is the Animal fat (COW GHEE), later gingili oil (TIL),

Coconut oil, Groundnut oil and so on. The effect of the soot on human

eyes was given prime importance in this classification.

 

The invention of electricity that followed by electric bulbs (Lights)

succeeded. That is why there is no description specified in "Vedic

Mantras". It is "BHAVANA" (Feeling of satisfaction) which is more

important in worship. There is nothing wrong in using electric lights

in temples.

[Guest guest]

Pujya Guruji,

 

Many thanks for the advice.

 

 

Best Regards,

Balachandran

 

 

 

[] On Behalf Of KASTURI

SUBBA RAO

Thursday, August 11, 2005 10:55 AM

 

Traditional oil lamps in worship

 

With all due respects, I have a query here.

 

Traditionally, oil lamps are used in temples and Hindu houses while

worshipping the Almighty. It is assumed that it helps to invoke God

also.

Will electric lights be efficient enough to invoke ? Please advise.

 

Thanks.

 

Regards,

Balachandran M

 

Dear Sh.Balachandran,

 

"GRITAAKTA VARTI SAMYUKTAM ANDHAKARA VINASANAM, DEEPAM DASYAMI

DEVESI GRIHANA MUDITA BHAVA"

 

Is the saying of Aryans. Since the discovery of fire, it has become

a part of our daily needs. There used to be a common place of fire

(NEGADU) for utilization by civilians around in every village or

town. The fire, in gradual course turns out to be one of the Gods. It

is known "Aryans" were nature worshippers. The Fire was considered

one among "Pancha Maha Bhuta"

 

Main sanctum of any temple is covered on all sides, so one needs

light to move in. Therefore, to lit a light has become a part of

ritual in worship (ARCHANA / JAPA / ARADHANA). The lighted lamps in

any temple are hung before the Deity at a convenient height so

that "ALANKARANA, ABHARANA" (The dressing, Ornaments or adornment) is

clearly noticeable to the visitors. In some of the temples, precious

stones were used in adornment. The glittering of such stones gives a

pleasant emotion to the devotees. In the temple at "KANYA KUMARI",

the presiding Deity was decorated by a precious stone on her nose

stud. It used to flash due to the lamp hung before it and served as

lighthouse to the large boats in the sea.

 

Since the main sanctum of the temple is less aerated, the oil use in

lamps was categorized considering the hygienity. The first and

foremost is the Animal fat (COW GHEE), later gingili oil (TIL),

Coconut oil, Groundnut oil and so on. The effect of the soot on human

eyes was given prime importance in this classification.

 

The invention of electricity that followed by electric bulbs (Lights)

succeeded. That is why there is no description specified in "Vedic

Mantras". It is "BHAVANA" (Feeling of satisfaction) which is more

important in worship. There is nothing wrong in using electric lights

in temples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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