Deeparadhana
Deeparadhana comprises two Sanskrit words ‘Deepa:’ and ‘Aaraadhana’.
‘Deepa:’ means lamp and ‘Aaraadhana’ refers to ‘worship’ or ‘propitiation of deities’. Hence, ‘Deeparadhana’ refers to the god worship through a lamp.
We do find reference to the word ‘Aaraadhana’ in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Shloka 22 – Endowed with faith, the devotee worships a particular celestial god – conveying the meaning ‘worship’ for the term ‘Aaraadhana’.
Significance of Deeparadhana
The lighting of lamps is an important aspect of any Puja or Hindu ritual. The significance of Deepaaraadhana is mentioned in various ancient scriptures – Upanishads, Samhitas, Brahmanas and Puranas. Skanda Purana states “Among the light of fire, the light of the Sun, the light of the Moon, the lamp is the best of Lights”.
Deeparadhana also refers to the Aaraadhana (Arati) done to God in the temples. Various types of lamps are used while performing this Aaraadhana.
When we think of the lamp, we are reminded of the following lines from Poigai Alwar’s Mudhal Thiruvandadi first Pasuram:
vaiyam thagaLiyA vArkadalE neyyAga; veyya kadhirOn viLakkAga …..
In this Pasuram the earth itself is considered as the Lamp. “Keeping the earth as the vessel and the seas as the lubricating oil, the Creator lights the universal lamp called the Sun who shines brightly to illuminate the entire universe”.
Swami Desikan
Swami Desikan, in his Saranagati Deepika Shlokam 3, has very nicely brought out the significance of ‘Deepam’ or ‘Light’ which the chEthana gets from the Divya Dampati:
dIpas-tvamEva JagatAm dayitA rucistE deergham tama: pratinivartyamidam yuvAbhyAm …..
God of Light! You are the Only One, who is the deepam for the entire World. You are the deepam and your divine consort, who never leaves your side, is the prakaasham/ lustre for the deepam.
The long-lasting darkness of ‘Agjnaanam’ (nescience) can only be removed by both of you. Therefore this chEthanam wishes to eulogize You.
Light is equated with Knowledge, darkness with ignorance. The Lord is the “Knowledge Principle” (Chaitanya) who is the source and illuminator of all knowledge. Hence, the Light is worshipped as the Lord himself.
The lighting of lamp also symbolises the removal of ignorance and the awakening of the divine light within us.
Significance of Oil Lamp
Traditionally we used to light lamps made of clay (diya). We use oil, and wicks. It is said that we can see God in the light that emanates from the lamp. If we consider the Vessel as our ‘Body’, the Wick as our ‘Guru’, and the oil our ‘Faith’, then the Light that it produces is God.
The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolises our negative thoughts (Vasanas) and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vasanas slowly vanish and the ego perishes.
The lamp flame always burns upwards figuratively indicating that we should always strive for such knowledge that would lead us to reach higher echelons of spiritual life.
Types of Lamps used for Deeparadhana
Clay Lamp
Commonly called ‘Diya’, less in cost, considered to be the best but due to its brittleness, we use this only during Deepavali and Kartika Festivals.
Brass Lamp
The cost of this is not much. In addition, it is also highly durable. Most of the lamps used in temples are brass lamps.
Silver Lamp
Little Costlier but these are also durable. We use this in houses and some temples have important lamps made of silver.
Gold Lamp
Costliest of all. Not much in use.
The most popular are clay and brass lamps because of their easy availability and affordability. In addition to these, only in temples (particularly Devi/Shakti temples) lamps using lemon are lit by the devotees.
Benefits of Lighting a Lamp
- The lighting lamp signifies the destruction of Agjnana (andhakara or thamas).
- They create a pure, nourishing and healing atmosphere.
- Fire of lamps acts as an insecticide for the house.
- Lighting a ghee lamp in the house invites positivity and helps remove all negative energy from the house. Also brings health, wealth and prosperity to the family. –
- Lamps can attract sattvic vibrations from the surrounding atmosphere. The effect of sattvikata (the quality of being sattvic) on the atmosphere is felt even hours after the lamp stops burning.
Slokam
After lighting the lamp, the following slokam should be chanted :
Deepajyotih parabrahma deepajyotirjanaardanah Deepena harate paapam sandhya deepam namostute
Deepa-Jyothi is the supreme Brahman, Deepa-Jyothi is Janardhana. May the divine lamp eradicate my sins. Salutations to the divine lamp of the evening.
Deeparadhana Haarati
In all temples at least twice a day – once in the morning and the other time in the evening – Deeparadhana (also called ‘Haarati’/ ‘Mangalaharati’) is performed to the God. In big temples, five to six times it is done. It is performed at the end of any Puja and also while offering naivedyam to God.
Types of Haarati performed for God
- Eka Deeparadhana: with a single wick.
- Pancha Deeparadhana: with five wicks.
- Kumbha Deeparadhana: Lamp in a triangle shape.
- Ekadasa Deeparadhana: With Eleven lights, performed with a special plate.
- Sahasra Deeparadhana: with 1000 lamps – on special occasions done in Temples – In Tirumala it is done daily. In Sahasra Deepalankarana seva, Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi are decorated with 1000 wick lamps.
The seva is performed in the Unjal mandapam at 05:30 PM every day. The Lord and His consorts are rocked gently amidst the Vedic chanting by the priests and the singing of Annamayya songs. This is the only daily seva that is performed outside the temple.
Final Word
In every house, the lamps must lit both in the morning and the evening. As already seen, lamps offer both spiritual benefits as well as cleansing the atmosphere of the home we live in. Very importantly, we should not use steel lamps.
We should internalise the good qualities and put them into practice in our daily life. Lighting lamp is east will bring good health and peace of mind. Ghee and sesame oil are considered the most important in lighting the lamp.
Lit the diyas (lamps) in your houses/temples and get prosperity, health/wealth and good luck.
Data Source – Article posted by – Dr Murali Santhanam
