It is a news which makes every Indian proud ! In a historical move, American President Barack Obama celebrated Deepavali by lighting the lamp in White House. The President of the most powerful country made an act which no other president of America ever did before. Lighting the lamp in White House amidst Vedic hymns chanted by Indian pujaris is somethig special. Political reasons apart, the event has something every Indian to think. To think about something which might have been over looked or taken for granted. Obama said - "..symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance "
Lamp and Indian Culture:
Indian culture has lamp a prominent place to play. Lamp is inseperable from it. Every day, every home has lamp lit in it. Since ages, any auspicious moments have been celebrated with lighting of lamp. Till date, at every walk of life lamp is used at ceremonies. Though electric serial sets have become popular, it is nevertheless a symbol of fun and celebration. Lamps are not substituted by serial sets rather complement it. Lamps have undergone evolution with lots of aesthetics built in them in the form of various shapes, substances. Traditionally lamps were made of clay and now metals like silver and white metal is most popular.
Science behind Lamp
A lamp has science behind it. Psychological science. A lamp has postive effect on person who lights it. A person feels serenity while lighting a lamp. He feels darkness dispelled when a tiny flame begins to appear waving gently . It makes even a tensed man temporarily patient. When he protects the little yellow dot against breeze, a flash of smile appears on the face. When he sees the flame stable a sense of satisfaction is felt. While litting other lamps, a sense of creation or distribution is experienced. Lighting of lamp is a form of prayer. It is prayer to to God to remove darkness - darkness of ignorance. A small act of lighting the lamp has great benefits on mind. We are busy day in day out dealing with serious stuffs that we overlook or do not bother to see the benefits of such a trivial task. Lamp lighting and offering can be best stress realeaser !
Indian culture has suffered attacks from "rationalists" terming many of them to be rituals. Perhaps, lighting the lamp is one such activity which is so universal, scientific, psychological, rationally approvable, sensitive - with absolutely no side effects !
This is a month - where we celebrate exculsively with lamps. Deepavali is coming and in past, Lord Ram and Krsna performed several pastimes this month - the famous being Damodar lila of Lord Krsna. So, people offer ghee lamp to Lord Krsna. Let us all do it and see how such a small act can transform our hearts, calm our minds and release our tensions. Besides its fun to see lamps around !