“Lead us from untruth to Truth, from darkness to light, from death to Immortality, OM Peace Peace Peace” ~Pavamana Mantra from the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad
Some form of light or lamp is lit on every culture or religion, and the significance is always similar bringing light to eliminate darkness. In Hindu tradition lighting diyo has been significant part of the ritual and there are various reasons for it. It is significant part of human experience, if there is no light, there is no experience of anything around us. Diyo represent goodness, purity, good-luck and knowledge. Depending upon the occasion various kind of oil are burned with pure cotton wick, and the oil in diyo represents our negative tendencies like (greed, jealousy, hatred and ego), as the oil burns, we exhaust our negative tendencies with it. Also, as the flame of Diya is always upwards which aims to acquire such knowledge that will take us in higher ideal of our lives. A Diya always represents the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and spreads goodness and positivity, which are attributes that attract success and prosperity. Also lightning diyo indicates new beginning and happy moments in life.
Most Hindu household lights diyo morning (Pratah Sandhya) which is half hour before sunrise, so that light will transit into the light of the sun, and evening (Saayam Sandhya) half hour before sunset, so when the sun sets the light will be there to eliminate the darkness, as a part of prayer to divinity. Fire is one of the five principal element of this creation and it represents purity, in every Hindu house-hold starting and ending the day with lighting diya represents expressing gratitude towards the divinity and rising above the negativity or low frequency vibration to wisdom, purity and other higher vibrations.
Significance of Lakh Batti in Hindu tradition.
Among the Nepalese Practicing Hindu there is a tradition of performing Lakh batti rites (Lighting 100,000 cotton wick’s). Lighting lakh batti indicates that you are multiplying the light in your life, may it be internal light of wisdom or external light. Mostly it is believed and performed to cleanse all karmic Blemishes (Karma Dosha) and opening way for good fortune. It is said lighting lakh batti helps with balancing the fire element in the body and possibly help solve issues created due to imbalanced fire element in human body. It is said the best months to perform lakh batti rites are during Karthik, Magh and Baishak because these are the months of season shifts, especially Karthik since it’s the month where the sadhana pada (Phase of knowing, inner sadhana) moves to Kaivalya pada (Time for inner harvest make available to oneself), and because of that, in this month lighting of lamp is indicative of enlightenment, awareness, consciousness and ultimate liberation.
What oil is best to light Lakh batti?
There are many oils that can be used to light diya as per the availability at certain areas, but most used or recommended oils to light batti or diya are Ghee, coconut oil and sesame oil (Til oil)
- Ghee is known for its ability to increase spiritual awareness and promote mental clarity.
- Coconut oil is prized for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, as well as its ability to improve cognitive function.
- Sesame oil is revered for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve overall moods.
What puja samaghri are required for Lakh batti ceremony?
- 100,000 pure cotton wicks
- Ghee/ sesame seed oil
- Abhir (Kumkum)
- Bastra/pure cloth (red, yellow, white)
- Kesari
- Till
- Jahu
- Kapoor
- Pala (clay, silver)
- Sauvagya samaghri
- Flowers
- Sugarcane
- Coconut
- Dhoop
- Pratima