“A lamp does not speak., It introduces itself…through its light. Achievers never expose…themselves. But their achievements expose…them” Unknown
Hindu Puja Room
Typical Hindu Puja room for a small family. You can notice a few sliver and brass lamps.
What is puja room?
The puja room is an intrinsic part of every Hindu household.
The puja room is the room, where family deities, idols, religious texts are kept and exclusively used for prayers.
It’s a sacred room with positive energy radiating to the other rooms.
As far as the Idols or frames of the deities (Hindu Gods are too many) concerned, the preference goes with the family tradition.
Every family selects one Ishta Devata, depending on that family’s particular tradition.
Ishta Devata is the chosen and beloved Deity of the family for centuries and the Puja room will have most of the images of this particular Deity.
Diya
“Faith is the fire that light the flames.” Lailah Gifty Akita
A lamp is lit and the Lord is worshipped every day in the morning and the evening in the puja room in front of the deity.
This lamp is known as DIYA, commonly made from clay.
Diya lamps are also made of silver, gold or brass.
We tend to be selfish most of the times and Diya keeps us reminding us about being helpful to others especially those in needy.
“Be Diya in someone’s life, and keep the flame burning” Unknown
Significance of Diya
The oil in Diya symbolizes dirt in the mind.
The cotton symbolizes self or soul.
Diya presents a light when oil is burnt by the wick. Hence lighting of diyas signifies that one needs to get rid of selfish and materialistic thoughts. This frees one from all sadness, leading to enlightenment.
source-Deccan chronicle
Chanting Shloka
One can Chanting the following Shloka while lighting the Diya
Shubham Karoti Kalyaannam-Aarogyam Dhana-Sampadaa |
Shatru-Buddhi-Vinaashaaya Diipa-Jyotir-Namostute ||
Diipa-Jyotih Para-Brahma Diipa-Jyotir-Janaardanah |
Diipo Haratu Me Paapam Diipa-Jyotir-Namostute ||
Meaning:
I pay my salutation (namaskara) to the light/lamp which brings auspiciousness; prosperity, good health, abundance of money and wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy. The light of the lamp represents the Supreme Brahman as well as Janardhana (Vishnu), let the light absolve the sins, I pay my salutations to this light/lamp.
This shloka is recited while lighting the lamp. Light is considered a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity, and abundance in many cultures. It is believed that deepam is the symbol of knowledge.
Source from – Wikipedia
Thank you.
Namaste 🙏🙏🙏
Philosophy Through Photography
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