How many hours do we keep the swami deepam alive....

[bgsharma]

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Easwara Anugraham...


In general many people does not follow or know how many hours does the swami deepam at home should keep alive.

Answer is minimum 36 minutes (1 1/2 Nazhigai) and maximum 90 minutes (3 3/4 nazhigai). We should not keep the swami deepam alive for more than 90 minutes.


Since the basic time for subha muhurtham is 3 3/4 nazhigai (90 minutes), we should keep the Swami deepam for maximum of 90 minutes.

We will not get the required benefit if we kept alive more than 90 minutes.

This is applicable both morning and evening.

In the Evening we should light the swami deepam on or after 5:36 PM.



Regards
BG Sharma

 

[prasad1]

Mr. Sharma,
You seem to be learned in the ways and practice of our religion. I believe in Brahman and follow Advaita philosophy and to an extent Kabir-Panth.

What is the reason for Swami Deepam?
God does not need deepam, surely in this day of electric light you do not need deepam to see God.
I can understand the symbolism of deepam, or Kalpooram etc., but it is not for lighting.
So what is the purpose of keeping the deepam for 90 minutes?
I do light a lamp in the alter at home but it is electric candle.

 

[Anand Manohar]

Prasad Ji

Your post # 2, I am fully in agreement with you on this count.

Dear BGS - I wonder where you conjured up these 'cut-off' times from !
Never heard of such a thing before! Rather, quite the contrary, I know at least
one household where the 'fire' [embers] was brought from Shirdi - supposedly
lit by Shirdi Sai Baba Himself originally, made into a 'flame' and has been a continuous
source of light since then - we are looking at slightly over 100 years now !
Oil topped-up several times a day, and the wicks replaced periodically - taking
utmost care to preserve the fire.

[ Keshavaiah Ji's house, East Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 ]


Yes Prasad Ji, The Light of Christianity, Al Noor of Islam and Jyoti of Hinduism, I don't think were
ever meant to be bound to / conform to human understanding and limitation of Time .

While we are on the subject, I hope dear BGS, would also care to explain " Akhanda Deepam ", .

Dogmatic diktats don't appeal to me and don't constitute 'religion' to me.

Yay Yem

 

[renuka]

I feel may be Lights have the role to illuminate the area where are residing.

This sort of gives a hint to the importance of lights:

Scientific Reasons Of Dipavali
"Looking at the Dipavali festival from the scientific point of view, it should be noted that at one time in the distant past, our ancestors lived in the Arctic region (the polar region). In this region, darkness prevailed for six months. The sun appears on Mesha Sankranti day (the sun entering the Aries sign of Zodiac). The sun sets in this region on Tula Sankranti day (when the sun enters Libra). In the movement between these two signs, there is an interval of six months. After the sun sets in Libra, the dark half-year starts. Today is the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) in the month of Kartik. It is the New Moon day (Amaavaasya). This month is called Kaumudi. The people in the polar region used to start lighting their lamps from this day. The lighting of the lamp is not without significance, as they would be in darkness for a long period. They described the lamp that was lit as "Nitya-jyoti" (the perennial)." Sai Baba, SS, 12/91, pp. 326 & 327

 

[manoharkumar]

Dear Prasad/ Yay Yem Sirs
Good Morning. Though i do not know the time limit, but the lightining of lamps in house has been in practice from generations. Newly wed girl when she enters the in laws house first lights the lamp in the pooja room. in our house also lamp is lit but it burns for more than two to three hours.
cheers.

 

[renuka]

. Newly wed girl when she enters the in laws house first lights the lamp in the pooja room.
cheers.

Dear Sir,

I did not know this cos no one asked me to light any lamp when I got married.

I don't think it is practiced for every newly wed.

This is new to me..thanks for info.

 

[Raghy]

Greetings.

An interesting information about lights in Hinduism....

"Light symbolizes knowledge and Isana is the origin of knowledge. Knowledge is the everlasting wealth that is capable of removing ignorance just as the light removes darkness. An oil lamp is lit to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vasanaas or vices and the cotton wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards and similarly one should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

Traditionally the lighting of the lamp is also a part of Bhutaaradhana (element worship).
Lighting a lamp for Agni
Placing water for Jala
Incense stick smoke for Vayu
Sandal paste, Bhasma, vermilion for Prithvi
Deep meditative prayer for Akasha."

Full article from here - Hinduism...What is the significance of lighting a lamp at home? - Yahoo! Answers India

In the olden days we did not have electricity. ( In the present days too due to powercuts we don't have electricity). A source of light is quite handy to have in any residence. In India most things we do with common sense is also connected to divinity. Hence lighting a lamp everyday. Humans also take everything more than we ned to.... hence 'Ahanda Deepam' in my opinion.

But I loved 'Karthigai Deepam' festivals. Usually monsoon would have eased off... hopefully water flowing in the river.... cooler evenings... girls placing the agal vilakku ( அகல் விளக்கு) everywhere.... this is the time usually the grass on the hill side would be burned off... grass burning on the hill side to form a 'fire garland' to the hill.... quite pretty to watch from miles away... This the time peanut gets harvested too.... most of the sugacane fields with matured sugarcanes... just too many things I loved during this time..

Cheers!

 

[manoharkumar]

Dear Renukaji, GM.

In all my relations marriage and in my daughters case also when they first entered the house they Lit the lamp. Thats why i mentioned it. Cheers.

 

[prasad1]

A fire was needed in a dark cave, to ward off animals and for warmth. But it was then.
I go to Swami Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia, and I know the significance of the light symbolism.
But lighting an oil lamp for specific time in an room lit with electric lamp does not make sense to me.

 

[renuka]

Dear Renukaji, GM.

In all my relations marriage and in my daughters case also when they first entered the house they Lit the lamp. Thats why i mentioned it. Cheers.

Dear sir,

Thanks for the info..so far I have not seen or experienced this.

I have only seen where one is asked to step in with the right leg and sometimes the girl is asked to kick a tumbler filled with uncooked rice.

Thanks for the info once again.

 

[renuka]

A fire was needed in a dark cave, to ward off animals and for warmth. But it was then.
I go to Swami Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia, and I know the significance of the light symbolism.
But lighting an oil lamp for specific time in an room lit with electric lamp does not make sense to me.

Dear Prasad ji,

I get your point.

Light symbolizes illumination ,remover of darkness,giver of warmth too.

I too do not see why there needs to be a time limit for lighting a lamp.

Even the Sun shines at different durations through out the year.

Day and night are equal only on March 21st and September 23rd in a year.

 

[Raghy]

Greetings.

Deepam.... deepam..... deepam...

Ponmeghame - Sopaanam (1994) KS Chithra - YouTube

Cheers!

 

[tbs]

hi
we have many traditions/cultures are in hinduism.....there are arya samajiess....the wont do murthi puja..still they are hundus...

there are many brahmin community ..they eat fish regularly...stull they are brahmins.....there many ppl have poonal other

than brahimns....still they are not brahmins....many complicated tradions/cuktures based on geographical/social conditions....

we cant generalise everything for everybody....just follow as per aathu pazhakkam/ooru pazhakkam/or any kind of pazhakkams....

every religion has three parts...ritual....spiritual....philosophical....it depends the taste of any individual.....many nastikas still

considered hindus....

 

[renuka]

hi
we have many traditions/cultures are in hinduism.....there are arya samajiess....the wont do murthi puja..still they are hundus...

there are many brahmin community ..they eat fish regularly...stull they are brahmins.....there many ppl have poonal other

than brahimns....still they are not brahmins....many complicated tradions/cuktures based on geographical/social conditions....

we cant generalise everything for everybody....just follow as per aathu pazhakkam/ooru pazhakkam/or any kind of pazhakkams....

every religion has three parts...ritual....spiritual....philosophical....it depends the taste of any individual.....many nastikas still

considered hindus....

Dear TBS Garu,

You have a knack of saying things direct to the point in your special style.

I like this line the best!LOL

many nastikas still considered hindus.

 

[tbs]

Dear TBS Garu,

You have a knack of saying things direct to the point in your special style.

I like this line the best!LOL

hi
thanks....no comments....just for info...TBS means TAMIL BRAHMIN SMART+TAMIL BRAHMIN SMARTHA.. ANTHA SAKTAHA

BAHIHI SAIVAHA ......VYVAHARE CHA VAISHNAVAHA ..LOL

 

[renuka]

I feel in Sanathana Dharma there are no compulsions...everything comes with an option.

If we read 12th Chapter of Geeta..Lord Krishna was giving options for devotees to attain perfection.

He said "if you can't do this..try this..if you still can't do this..then try this..starting from Abhyasa Yoga...to surrender of one's actions...to Meditation and also by knowledge.

God gives us so many options but I feel we humans are trying to impose rigidity.

 

[sravna]

If the duration of subha muhurtham is 90 min, there seems to be something to think about in what Shri .Sharma says about how long the deepam should be lit. Why does shubha muhurtham last for 90 min?

 

[renuka]

If the duration of subha muhurtham is 90 min, there seems to be something to think about in what Shri .Sharma says about how long the deepam should be lit. Why does shubha muhurtham last for 90 min?

Good question Sravna..let's wait for some answers.

But off late I am starting to wonder is time all that important..I can't help recalling Sathya Sai Baba saying that when it comes to giving money/donation everyone sees the auspicious time but when it comes to receiving money everyone feels anytime is a good time.

But still I would like to know why Shuba muhurtam is 90 mins..let's hope some members give their inputs.

 

[renuka]

Easwara Anugraham...


In general many people does not follow or know how many hours does the swami deepam at home should keep alive.

Answer is minimum 36 minutes (1 1/2 Nazhigai) and maximum 90 minutes (3 3/4 nazhigai). We should not keep the swami deepam alive for more than 90 minutes.


Since the basic time for subha muhurtham is 3 3/4 nazhigai (90 minutes), we should keep the Swami deepam for maximum of 90 minutes.

We will not get the required benefit if we kept alive more than 90 minutes.

This is applicable both morning and evening.

In the Evening we should light the swami deepam on or after 5:36 PM.



Regards
BG Sharma

Just to add so that it will be clearer.

A Nazhigal = 24 minutes.

 

[P.J.]

Sri.Sharmaji
You say “In the Evening we should light the swami deepam on or after 5:36 PM.”
How did you arrive this 5.36 pm Sir? Is there any basis for this, please let us all know.

Secondly every twenty four minutes is one Danda. Two dandas is equal to one muhurtha (forty eight minutes). Each day has, in total thirty muhurthas,
So do you agree that Swami deepam should be kept for a minimum of one Muhurtha, that is 48 Minutes ?
Again you say Swami deepam should be kept for a minimum of 36 minutes; well can you tell us the basis of your calculation Sir?

 

[Uma Raja Ramakrishnan]

Most people suffer maximum distress from negative energies in the evening. Worshippers 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’. Lighting an oil-lamp in front of a Deity, will give protection from the negative energies present in the environment in the evening. At the same time, lighting a lamp in front of the basil plant (Tulsi) too in the courtyard is also welcome. By lighting a lamp in front of the Deities, their Principle is awakened and those residing in the Vastu benefit.

 

[wrongan]

Dear sir,

Thanks for the info..so far I have not seen or experienced this.

I have only seen where one is asked to step in with the right leg and sometimes the girl is asked to kick a tumbler filled with uncooked rice.

Thanks for the info once again.

Dear Renuka You may know the quote "loko binna ruchihi"customs and practices differ from place to place and between groups of people too.With regards Renganathan

 

[renuka]

Dear Renuka You may know the quote "loko binna ruchihi"customs and practices differ from place to place and between groups of people too.With regards Renganathan

Dear Sir,

I get lots of new info daily from forum.
Good to know new customs.

I know people always call Daughters In Law as the lighter of Kuttu Villaku(seen in Tamil Movies) but so far I have never done that in the house of my In Laws but I only keep switching off their electric tube lights cos they tend to leave lights on everywhere even in empty rooms!LOL

 

[P.J.]

Srimathi Uma
well said: i wish to add few more to your post.

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.

The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

There is another meaning to lighting a lamp with Ghee, oil or burning a candle
If a lamp is lit with pure ghee made from cows milk, the vibrations are said to be in communion with Gods & deities

If a lamp is lit with oil (Please note here that different oils have different effects), the vibrations are said to be in communion with our ancestors

If a candle (meaning wax made) is lit, the vibrations are said to be in communion with demons and evil spirits.
("Secret Forces Behind Life" by Swami Dattavadhut)
Burning of animal carbon in the form of ghee in lamps in small doses is conducive for removing toxins in the body and the use of mahua or iluppai oil is considered very good for eyes. Electric lights do not have this use




Cotton Wicks and their significance:

Single wick (Eka Mukha Deepam) for normal benefit.
Two wicks (Dwimukha deepam) bring harmony and peace in the family and relatives.
Three wicks (Trimukha Deepam) Blesses with progeny.
Four wicks (Chathurmukha deepam) bring all-round prosperity and sumptuous food.
Five wicks (Panchamkukha deepam) showers akhanda aishwaryam or Wealth.
Six wicks (Shanmukha deepam) blesses with Akhanda Gyana (Knowledge) & Vairagyam (Renunciation).

Directions for lighting lamps and their importance:

North - For success in all ventures undertaken. Most preferable direction to place and light a lamp:
East – For good health and peace of mind.
West – For freedom from debts and victory over enemies

 

[P.J.]

Dear Prasadji
You are very learned member here, i think you posted this in order to get members view on this.
Sure, God does not need Deepam, also Neivedyam etc, but we light Deepam also offer Neivedhyam which becomes prasadam.

The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

There is another meaning to lighting a lamp with Ghee, oil or burning a candle
If a lamp is lit with pure ghee made from cows milk, the vibrations are said to be in communion with Gods & deities

If a lamp is lit with oil (Please note here that different oils have different effects), the vibrations are said to be in communion with our ancestors

If a candle (meaning wax made) is lit, the vibrations are said to be in communion with demons and evil spirits.
("Secret Forces Behind Life" by Swami Dattavadhut)
Burning of animal carbon in the form of ghee in lamps in small doses is conducive for removing toxins in the body and the use of mahua or iluppai oil is considered very good for eyes. Electric lights do not have this use




Cotton Wicks and their significance:

Single wick (Eka Mukha Deepam) for normal benefit.
Two wicks (Dwimukha deepam) bring harmony and peace in the family and relatives.
Three wicks (Trimukha Deepam) Blesses with progeny.
Four wicks (Chathurmukha deepam) bring all-round prosperity and sumptuous food.
Five wicks (Panchamkukha deepam) showers akhanda aishwaryam or Wealth.
Six wicks (Shanmukha deepam) blesses with Akhanda Gyana (Knowledge) & Vairagyam (Renunciation).

Directions for lighting lamps and their importance:

North - For success in all ventures undertaken. Most preferable direction to place and light a lamp:
East – For good health and peace of mind.
West – For freedom from debts and victory over enemies