Deepajyotih Namostute / दीपज्योतिः नमोऽस्तुते

Today, as we celebrate the Festival of Lights – the Deepavali, have you ever wondered why did we start lighting lamps in the first place?

Interestingly, the ability to control fire has been an important milestone in Man’s journey of becoming the dominant race on the earth. It gave the caveman not just a source of warmth to survive harsh winters but also a power and control over stronger predators. It was a security, as also a weapon.

The early humans all over the world understood the importance of Fire and placed great reverence in अग्नि देवता (Agni Devataa / Fire God). You will see this across different cultures – Greek, Parsi, to name a couple, not just Hinduism.

Once the Early Man realized it’s utility, he tried to capture and use Fire in different forms – a bigger form “अग्नि /Agni” for cooking, yagnas and attack while a smaller form “दीपज्योतिः/Deepa-Jyoti” for illumination.

Just as the fiercer form of Agni consumed all that came its way while the milder Deepa-Jyoti gave light during darkness, the fire within us also took two forms.

The जठराग्नि/ Jatharagni (the Fire in the Belly) that helped digest food and

the आत्मज्योति / Atma-Jyoti (the Light of the Soul) that represented Brahman – The Supreme Lord and was the life principle in all living beings.

Right up to the pre-electricity era, it was the lamp that provided illumination after sunset. It was the lamp which brough light, allowed men and women to act and work, kept away diseases and illnesses, gave them a sense of safety and security during night-time while the rest of the animal kingdom was plunged in darkness.

Hence, the lamp was considered a symbol of knowledge, bringing prosperity, health, and abundance. The lighting of the lamp in the evening was an important, sacred ritual. Even now in many homes, a lamp is lit in the evening at the altar or near the Tulsi Vrindavan. Similarly, you would have witnessed that many programs begin with the Lighting of the Lamp ceremony.

The Deepa Jyoti Mantra, recited while lighting the lamp, goes as follows:

शुभं करोति कल्याणं आरोग्यं धनसंपदः । शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते ॥ दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः । दीपो हरतु मे पापं संध्यादीप नमोऽस्तुते ॥

It means -

दीपज्योतिः नमोऽस्तुते I bow to the light of the lamp (that)

शुभं करोति कल्याणं brings good tidings, auspiciousness,

आरोग्यं धनसंपदः good health, prosperity,

शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय and destroys feelings of enmity

दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म the light of the lamp is the Supreme Brahman (Surpreme Knowledge)

दीपज्योतिः जनार्दनः the light of the lamp is the Supreme Protector of all Living Beings (Lord Vishnu)

दीपः हरतु मे पापं The lamp removes my sins (it purifies me)

संध्यादीप नमोऽस्तुते O lamp that is lit in the evening, my saluations to you!

Whenever you seek to move towards Knowledge from Ignorance, be it in studies, or in one’s career or when learning a new skill, or simply when trying to overcome any challenge, spend a moment or two to dwell on the humble "Jyoti" – the representation of the Supreme Brahman and seek energy from it to light up your path too.

One "Jyoti" can light hundreds of more lamps and still not lose its brilliance.

May you all too be the Jyotis that bring illumination, knowledge and wisdom in the lives of hundreds of other souls!

Hari Om!