Why do we light a lamp

In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some, twice a day – at dawn and dusk – and in a few it is maintained continuously - Akhanda Deepa. All auspicious functions commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion.

Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness - ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (Chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord himself.

Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.

The traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

It's a tradition to light a lamp first before starting any auspicious events or rituals. Light symbolizes the absence of darkness, grief & unhappiness. Almighty's divine grace is spread all over the house by lighting the lamps. God’s first and foremost appearance is in the form of Light which we call as 'Divya Jyotir' or "Divine Light". 

Before starting our daily prayers, we light the Oil lamp by chanting a shloka: 

Subham Karoti Kalyanam,

Arogyam Dhana Sampadah,

Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya

Deepa Jyotir Namostute 

‘I salute the One who is the lamplight that brings auspiciousness; prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy (six enemies - kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya)’. 

After lighting the lamp we chant the following shloka or prayer: 

Deepajyothi Parabrahma,

Deepajyothi Janardhana,

Deepo me hara tu paapam,

Deepa Jyothir Namostute 

I salute the Brahman, the sustainer of the creation, in the form of this light. I salute the Lord, may He destroy afflictions resulting from my omissions and commissions. 

Cotton Wicks and their significance: 

Single wick (Eka Mukha Deepam) for normal benefit

Two wicks (Dwimukha deepam) brings harmony and peace in the family and relatives

Three wicks (Trimukha Deepam) Blesses with progeny

Four wicks (Chathurmukha deepam) brings allround prosperity and Sumptuous food

Five wicks (Panchamkukha deepam) showers akhanda aishwaryam or Wealth

Six wicks (Shanmukha deepam) blesses with Akhanda Gyana (Knowledge) & Vairagyam (Renunciation)

Directions for lighting lamps and their importance:

North - For success in all ventures undertaken

East – For good health and peace of mind

West – For freedom from debts and victory over enemies

South - Never light a lamp in the south direction. It is considered inauspicious