A lamp has a unique power, which is not possessed by any other object. It dispels darkness. For this reason,  Bharatiyas (Indians) have always worshipped lighted lamps. Before commencing any auspicious or religious function, the ceremonial lamp is lit. Another notable quality of the lamp is that the flame goes upward, the path of the Brahman. The sinful path leads downwards. The light of the lamp, however, can only dispel the darkness outside but cannot remove the darkness that envelops the heart as a result of attachments and aversions carried from previous lives. Not all the blaze of the light, which filled Lanka when Hanuman set it on fire, could remove the darkness from Ravana s heart. Because his heart was filled with lust and hate, no light could penetrate it.

Even as the lamp needs a container, oil, wick and a matchstick to light it, for lighting the inner flame, one needs a container in the form of renunciation (Vairagya), the oil of devotion (Bhakti), the wick of mental concentration, and the matchstick of true awareness (Tattvajnana). Even if any one of these four is lacking, the light of self cannot be lit. (SSS Vol.20, p. 51)

The lamp points to another significant fact. Wherever it may be placed, the flame goes upwards only and never moves down. Likewise, the flame of Jnana (Spiritual Wisdom) leads one to a sublime level through the path of Righteousness. (SSS Vol21)

If you want to light a lamp, you need four things. First a container, second oil, third a wick and fourth a match box. If any one of these is lacking, you cannot light the lamp. This lamp can, however, remove only the outside darkness. How is the darkness in the heart to be removed? It can be removed only by Jnana Jyoti (the Light of Wisdom) and by nothing else. How is this Light of Wisdom, this spiritual light, to be lit? This also needs four elements. Vairagya (detachment) is the container. Bhakti (devotion) is the oil. Ekagrata (one-pointed concentration) is the wick. Jnana (Knowledge of the Supreme Truth) is the match stick. Without all the four, the Light of Spiritual Wisdom cannot be got.

Of the four, the primary requisite is the spirit of vairagya (renunciation). Without this detachment, all knowledge of scriptures is of no avail. What is this detachment? It is the absence of attachment to the body. The ego-feeling, which makes one think of the ‘I’ all the time, should be given up. The sense of mamakara (possessiveness) and the ego-feeling are the causes of raga (attachment). How is this disease of attachment to be eradicated? By the process of self-enquiry. (SSS Vol.31, p. 386)

There is significance in lighting lamps. The flame of one lamp can light the whole array of lamps. That one lamp symbolises the Paramjyoti (supreme effulgence). The others symbolise the Jivan jyotis (light in individual selves). Deepavali is celebrated in order to teach this truth to the world. People celebrate this festival by bursting firecrackers, signifying the victory of good over evil. (SSS Vol.31, p. 388)

The lamp, the wick and the oil are essential to make the lamp burn bright. Take one away – there is dark turmoil! Have all in good trim; there is good light. You must know your body is the lamp; your mind is oil, and tongue, the wick! So keep them fit and lit with peace, joy and love of the soul.

Another meaning is that the flame of the lamp always goes up, never down. So also you should aim high. Low aim is a crime. A third interpretation is that oil represents Satya (Truth), wick stands for Dharma (Righteousness); the lamp container (whether of metal or earthen) symbolizes Shanti (Peace) and the flame indicates Prema (Love). Thus the lamp is symbolic of the interpretation of all the four Human- cum divine values.

The flame of a lamp has two qualities. One is to banish darkness. The other is a continuous upward movement. Even when a lamp is kept in a pit, the flame moves upwards. The sages have therefore adored the lamp of wisdom as the flame that leads men to higher states. Hence, the effulgence of light should not be treated as a trivial phenomenon. Along with lighting the external lamps, men should strive to light the lamps within them. The human estate should be governed by sacred qualities. This calls for the triple purity of body, mind and speech—Trikaransuddhi (purity of the three instruments). (SSS Vol.24, p. 142)

This calls for the triple purity of body, mind and speech (purity of the three instruments). Only the Divine perennial light of spirituality can redeem man from a life of anxieties, miseries, frustrations and insatiable desires. The spiritual light will be a divine lighthouse for him. For everyone caught up in the coils of worldly life, this divine life is essential. The light is like a compass that reveals the course you should take. All the pleasures, positions and riches of the world will not confer on you real peace and security. Only faith in the Self can ensure this. Man today has faith in everything except the Spirit. It is because it has lost its faith in the Spirit that Bharat today is rocked by so many troubles.

You are living now, in the dark, in ignorance. The Knowledge that you are the Divine Spark, encased in the sheaths of bliss, intelligence, feelings, sensations and organic substances – this knowledge is the Light. You must light your own lamp. You cannot walk in the light of another’s lamp. You cannot exist on the money in the purse of another; have your own money; then alone are you free. Earn Knowledge, yourself. Even knowing it is not enough; you must experience it. The well has water; but that is not enough. It must be brought up in the bucket and used to wash and to quench thirst. (NNSG Vol.7, pp. 7-8)