Why do we light oil lamps during prayer ceremony? Does using specific Oil during Puja hold any significance: Unraveling secrets of Hinduism!
Did you ever think why we light oil lamps during an auspicious event or during puja? Well, In Hinduism, lighting of the oil lamps during prayer ceremony has been mandatory. Right from the ancient times, people from the Hindu sect consider fire and oil as holy.
The oil lamps also known as diya, divaa, deepam, deepa, diyo etc… are a gesture of inviting positivity in the house. At dusk, lighting an oil lamp in at home, puja alter or near the tulsi plant, is believed to create a protective shield of sattvik waves from the Deities who protect the members of the house and the vaastu (place). It is believed that this protects the people in the house from all the negative energies that are generated during the dusk.
In ancient times, people use to light oil lamps during dusk and recite “Shubham Karoti”
शुभं करोति कल्याणं आरोग्यं धनसंपदाम् ।
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ।।
Meaning: O flame of the lamp, you bestow auspiciousness and wellbeing, health and wealth. You also destroy the intellect of enemies. Therefore I pay obeisance to you.
दीपज्योति:परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दन: ।
दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ।।
Meaning: Light emanating from the oil lamp is in fact, a form of Parabrahman (Supreme Brahman)An oil lamp is Parameshwara (Supreme God), eliminating the sorrow in the world. O lamp, absolve me of sins. I offer obeisance to you.
The vibrations that are generated from the oil lamps are believed to work in three dimensions namely, as the Vastu (Place/house) protector, as one that emits positive energy and the one that bestows peace and prosperity.
There are a number of oils available in the market but did you know only a few types of oil can be used in the diya’s during performing a prayer ceremony or during any auspicious event. Read below to find for yourself the mystic significance some oils hold:
• Desi Ghee: Desi ghee also known as Cow’s ghee (oil) is considered sacred. Now-a-days, pure form of desi ghee or or milk from native Indian cows is rarely available. But this ghee is energized with positive energy. It helps in maintaining our physical, mental and spiritual state. According to the Agnipurana, the Ghee lamp helps in cleansing of the chakras and nadis. It purifies the Manipur and Anahata Chakras. It is also believed that lighting a lamp with cow’s ghee attracts positive vibrations, removes poverty and improves health and maintains wealth in one’s family.
• Pancha Deepam oil: The Pancha deepa Oil or Panchadeepam Oil is believed to neutralize all the negative and evil vibrations. It is said to bring good health, wealth and knowlwdge into your home. The Pancha deepam oil is the blend of 5 oils that are mixed in perfect proportions in order to bring out its mystical properties. Lighting lamps with Pancha Deepam Oil is said to fill your house with happiness, health, wealth, fame and prosperity. The oils that are used to make the Pancha Deepam Oil are Sesame oil or Coconut oil, Cow ghee, Mahua oil, Castor oil and Neem oil.
• Sesame oil: Sesame oil is popularly known as Til oil. It is known to remove doshas and drive away all the evil spirits. Til oil is known to remove obstacles from one’s life. People who do mantra japa or sadhana of Lord Bhairava are known to make use of this oil.
• Mustard oil: Using mustard oil for lighting lamp helps in eliminating doshas that are related to planet Saturn and it is also believe that it keeps diseases out of the house.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil is mostly used in southern India. It is a sacred belief that lighting the lamp with coconut oil will please Lord Ganesha.
Other than the oils mentioned above you can also use Neem Oil, Mahua Oil, Castor Oil and Jasmine oil for lightening lamps.
Astonished aren’t you? If you want to know similar facts about the practices and the significance of certain things in Hinduism, do follow this space. I hope you enjoyed this read.
