Why do we light lamp in front of deities in the evening ?
Our Sages
and Seers devised an ideal structure of daily actions (Dinacharya), so that man
is able to lead a healthy, contented and blissful life. Following the daily
actions (Dinacharya),
the rules and regulations associated with it is the only way to repay the debt
of the Sages and Seers.
1. Appropriate conducts during transition period (Sandhikal)
The transition period (Sandhikal) is the period of 48 minutes, that is, two Ghatikas, before the sunrise and after the sunset. The transition period is Raja-Tama predominant. Influence of negative energies is more in this period. To get protection from these, Dharma has given importance to abiding by Conducts (Acharpalan) in this period. Scriptures have described various Conducts (Achars) to be performed in the evening, so that there are good impressions (Sanskars) on man and he becomes equipped with good Achars, he is able to perform spiritual practice (Sadhana) in addition to getting protection from the negative energies.1.1 Lighting black-incense (Dhoop) or incense-stick (Udbatti) in the premises (Vastu)
The increased influence of negative energies after sunset pollutes the environment in the Vastu. Distressing vibrations are generated in the Vastu. Black-incense can be lighted everyday to remove these distressing vibrations. For lighting black-incense (Dhoop), light coal or cow-dung cake in a specially made vessel for the purpose and place the black-incense (Dhoop) upon it. Hold the vessel in one hand and a cardboard in another, fan the fire with the cardboard to spread the smoke in the Vastu.Black-incense is generally used in removing the distress caused due to ancestors. If black-incense is not available, one can light incense-sticks (Udbattis) in the Vastu regularly. Use incense-sticks of Chameli, Heena, Sandalwood and Kevada fragrances. The Saviour (Tarak) or Destroyer (Marak) frequencies of Deities are attracted to the fragrance of these incense-sticks as per the need and negative energies move away. Along with the Vastu, this action also helps in purifying the clothes.
By lighting the black-incense (Dhoop), the Saviour (Tarak) Shiva Principle is activated. Pure (Sattvik) vibrations are attracted in the Vastu. The Purity (Sattvikta) of the Vastu is enhanced. At the same time, the environment of the Vastu is also purified. When the Purity (Sattvikta) is enhanced, the negative energies get troubled and they leave the Vastu. Purity (Sattvikta) of the Vastu is preserved by lighting black-incense daily. If this is not possible, black-incense must be lit at least once a week.
1.2 Lighting a lamp in front of the Deities and paying obeisance to them
Most people suffer maximum distress from negative energies in the evening. It is believed that worshipers of the Aghori Knowledge take control of the negative energies that enter the environment in the evening and get evil acts done through them. That is why, mishaps and killings are more in the evening. This period is considered to be the ‘time of distress or ruin’. One can light an oil-lamp in front of a Deity, to get protection from the negative energies present in the environment in the evening. At the same time, one can light a lamp in front of the basil plant (Tulsi) too in the courtyard. By lighting a lamp in front of the Deities, their Principle is awakened and those residing in the Vastu get spiritual benefit.Science underlying lighting of a lamp in front of the basil plant (Tulsi) in the evening: The evening time is considered to be the time of arrival of the Lakshmi Principle in the Vastu. Tulsi is essentially Sattvik. Principles of various Deities are attracted to the basil plant (Tulsi). By lighting a lamp in front of the basil plant (Tulsi), the Purity (Sattvikta) in it is activated. This Purity (Sattvikta) spreads in the environment present in the Vastu and purifies it. The frequencies of Lakshmi Principle are attracted to the flame of the lamp kept in front of the basil plant (Tulsi) in the purified environment and enter the Vastu. This also purifies the Vastu and a protective sheath of Pure (Sattvik) frequencies of the Deities is created around the Vastu. At the same time, because of the Absolute Fire (Tej-tattva) frequencies emitted by the lamp, the Vastu and those residing in it are protected from the negative energies circulating in the environment.
1.3 Casting off the evil-eye from the children
Children get affected easily by the evil-eye. Casting off the evil-eye means pulling out the distressing vibrations created in the body of a person due to the evil-eye, in some specific objects and thus removing the distress of the person. To cast off the evil-eye, rock salt-mustard seeds, rock salt-red chillies, coconut with water etc. are generally used. Evil-eye can also be cast off from a person who has distress from negative energies.1.4 Recitation of Verses (Shloks)
Some of the Verses (Shloks) to be recited in the evening are as follows,
·
शुà¤ं करोतु कल्याणं आरोग्यं सुखसंपदा |
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ||
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ||
This
means, “O flame of the lamp, you are auspicious and benevolent. You provide
health and wealth and destroy the intellect of the enemies; hence, I pay my
obeisance to you.”
·
शुà¤ं करोतु कल्याणं आरोग्यं सुखसंपदाम् |
मम बुद्धिप्रकाशं च दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ||
मम बुद्धिप्रकाशं च दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ||
“O
flame of the lamp, you are auspicious and benevolent. You provide health and
wealth. You purify our intellect. We pay our obeisance to you.”
·
दीपज्योति:परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दन: |
दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ||
दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ||
This
means, the light of a lamp is a form of Supreme Brahman. The flame of the lamp
is a form of the Supreme God, who removes the sorrows of the Universe. “O lamp,
eliminate my sins. O flame of the lamp, I pay my obeisance to you.”
Benefits of reciting Verses (Shloks):
·
By
lighting the lamp with the recitation of Verses (Shloks) like ‘Shubham karotu kalyanam…’, the destroyer
task of driving away the negative energies is achieved.
·
The
Pure (Sattvik)
vibrations created by the recitation of the Verses (Shloks) purify the house. That is how the
distress of negative energies also reduces.
·
By
reciting Verses (Shloks)
after lighting a lamp, the grasping power of children increases, they are able
to study better, that is, their capacity to learn by heart increases, their
speech gets purified and it helps in their pronunciation becoming clear.
After the
recitation of Verses (Shloks),
Stotras like
Ramraksha, Hanuman Chalisa etc. should also be recited. After the recitation of
Verses (Shloks)
and Stotras,
the Arti of
the Deity should be performed and prayer should be made. For this entire
worship, all the members of the family should be present, as possible.Benefits of having all the family members attend the evening worship: When all the members of the family are present for the evening worship, it creates good impressions (Sanskars) on the children and they get spiritual benefit. Their Purity (Sattvikta) increases. They obtain Divine consciousness (Chaitanya) and Bliss (Anand). Because of the good impressions (Sanskars), moral values are enhanced and everybody’s life becomes happy.
2. Misconducts during the evening
In the olden days, the elders in the house used to be mindful about the distress caused by the negative energies in the evening. As prescribed in the scriptures, they used to light a lamp in the evening and gathering all the members of the family in front of the Deities, they used to recite verses (Shloks) and chant etc.; but today this practice is being ignored. We experience the harm being caused due to the structure of nuclear families today. The sound of recitation of verses (Stotras) is drowned in the cacophony of television channels. Most people are out of the house in the evening. From the small villages to the metros, we can see heavy crowds at the food stalls everywhere - Chinese food, snacks, fast food, ice-creams parlours etc.Externally it feels pleasant watching the entertainment programmes on television channels in the evening; but do we ever give a thought to its effects ?
2.1 Actions forbidden in the evening
It is believed that since the influence of negative energies is more in the evening, hence following some actions can be avoided.
·
Sleeping,
eating, drinking and having a meal
·
Commencement
of an auspicious task
·
Giving
white objects to others
·
Exchange
of money
·
Crying
·
Departure
for a journey
·
Taking
an oath, abusing, quarreling, speaking indecently and the untruth
There are
actions other than those enumerated here, which are forbidden in the evening as
per the scriptures.
·
The floor should not be
swept in the evening: Raja-Tama
predominant frequencies circulate more in the environment in the evening.
Through the act of sweeping too, vibrations of Raja-Tama are generated, which attract the Raja-Tama vibrations
present in the environment. Garbage collected in the premises (Vastu) during the day
can be removed by sweeping before the evening.
·
Actions that are
believed to be forbidden for pregnant women in the evening:
A. Should not stand at the doorstep of the
house. This harms the foetus.
B.
Should not look at the animals return home in the evening. If a pregnant woman
looks at these animals, the negative energies present in the legs of these
animals can attack the foetus.
·
Sitting on the banks of rivers other than
the Ganga:
The river Ganga is also known as ‘Gangotri’, that is, ‘the one that provides
the source of Pure (Sattvik)
frequencies from Shiva’. Because of the Pure (Sattvik) frequencies emitted by the Ganga
water, the environment around the banks of the river Ganga always remains
virtuous and full of Divine consciousness (Chaitanya).
That is why, there is very little risk of distress from negative energies in
this environment. As compared to this, there is very little Purity (Sattvikta) on the banks
of other rivers. Hence, because of the movement of negative energies, there is
more possibility of a Jiva
sitting on the banks of these rivers getting distressed. Inferior negative
energies moving around on the banks of the rivers contain more of the Absolute
Earth (Pruthvi)
and Absolute Water (Apa)
Principles. Hence, these energies are able to merge with the human body, which
is also made of the Absolute Earth (Pruthvi)
and Absolute Water (Apa)
Principles, in a shorter time. Hence, preferably one should not sit on the
banks of the rivers in the evening.
·
Study of Vedas: Evening is the
onset of the night (also known as Pradoshkal).
The Vedas command that study of Vedas should not be carried out in the Pradoshkal. It is also
prohibited to read scriptures for committing to memory (Santha); but to recite Mantras to avert the
evil (also known as Shantipath)
is considered acceptable in this period.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My humble salutations to Hindu Jagruti for the collection)
(Continued...)
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