The Significance of Flour Lamps During Diwali Celebrations
Understanding Diwali's Symbolism
The festival of Diwali represents light, joy, and the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi. Homes are adorned with lamps on this auspicious day. While some prefer ghee or oil lamps, many still opt for traditional flour lamps, which hold significant spiritual meaning. These humble lamps are believed to not only brighten homes but also illuminate lives.
Cultural Beliefs Surrounding Flour Lamps
Significance of Lighting Lamps
According to Mahant Swami Kameshwaranand Vedantacharya, the presence of Goddess Lakshmi is felt in every household during Diwali night. Thus, illuminating homes with lamps is deemed highly auspicious. People use either clay or flour lamps for various reasons: to alleviate financial troubles, resolve family disputes, and overcome marriage-related challenges. Vastu Shastra emphasizes the benefits of lighting flour lamps for these purposes.
Optimal Directions for Lighting Lamps
Direction Matters
Swami Kameshwaranand Ji highlights the importance of the direction in which lamps are lit. Ideally, lamps should face east or north, representing knowledge and prosperity. The south direction, associated with Yamaraj, is reserved for lighting lamps for ancestors. Lighting a lamp on the right side upon entering a home is considered fortunate. Using yellow mustard oil or ghee while lighting a lamp on the left side is believed to attract happiness and prosperity.
Flour Lamps as a Means to Overcome Challenges
Removing Obstacles
Swami Ji explains that if there are rising tensions at home, such as conflicts between spouses or hurdles in children's marriages, lighting flour lamps on Diwali night can help dispel these issues. A special tradition involves lighting four-sided flour lamps on Naraka Chaturdashi, or Chhoti Diwali, which is said to please Yamaraj and protect against untimely death, bringing light into our lives.
The Purity of Earthen Lamps
Symbolism of Earthen Lamps
Earthen lamps are also revered for their purity and sanctity. Positioning the lamp to face the street while exiting the home is considered auspicious, inviting wealth, happiness, and tranquility. On Diwali night, worshipping Lord Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Kubera, along with chanting the 16 mantras from the Sri Sukta or Kalak Dhara source, is believed to attract prosperity.
Creating Auspicious Symbols
Symbols of Prosperity
Swamiji advises against using any tantric methods to seek Lakshmi's blessings. Instead, creating the Swastika and Om symbols with cow ghee and vermillion on the main door is highly auspicious. Thus, lighting flour lamps during Diwali transcends mere tradition; it embodies prosperity, peace, and joy, dispelling darkness and filling lives with light.
Conclusion
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