Question and Answer

Q. Why do Hindus light a lamp?

A.  Diya or a lamp signifies light. Light signifies knowledge. God is the eternal source of all knowledge. When we light a Diya or lamp we invoke God. Just as light removes darkness, knowledge removes ignorance. Why not light a bulb? The ghee or oil signifies our vasanas and the wick signifies our ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vasanas get slowly exhausted and ego also finally vanishes. The flame of a diya always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge that takes us upwards towards higher ideals. A Diya can light hundreds of other diyas while a light bulb can not do that. Similarly a man's knowledge can enlighten many other human beings. The light in the diya does not diminish after lighting other diyas, similarly knowledge does not dimish when shared with others.