Lighting a ghee lamp in front of one's alter is a very spiritual practice. Hindus will light a ghee lamp (Diya) daily to purify their homes and their hearts.
The light symbolizes knowledge, illuminating and "en-lighten-ing" us. The light emanating from the ghee lamp removes darkness, ignorance and evil. The light or knowledge shows us the way out of our problems, fears, tensions, and unhappiness. The light of a ghee lamp is believed to bring in prosperity, as knowledge or wisdom is the greatest form of wealth.
It is customary in India that all auspicious religious events and even important social functions will begin with the lighting of a lamp. This is like an invitation to the divine to come and bless us.
A very beneficial daily practice is to meditate upon a ghee lamp flame without blinking.
This type of meditation allows us to reflect on our inner radiance. It clears our vision. In fact, in Ayurveda one is advised to gaze at this flame for 2 or 3 minutes to
physically strengthen and clean the eyes.
These special lamps lit are filled with ghee (clarified butter) or peanut or sesame oil. According to the science of spirituality, lamps that burn ghee attract more sattvik (spiritually pure energy) to calm our minds than those lamps which burn oil. Ghee lamps attract it from a wider circumference and continue to attract it longer than lamps, which burn oil.
Brass, diameter approx. 10.5 cm, height approx. 5.5 cm
Wick included.
