DHANTERAS AND DIYAS
I have some new information on Diyas and Dhanteras.
While we are still in the ‘Diwali mood’ I thought that
I would share it with you.
I have often wondered why it is considered more auspicious
to light oil or ghee diyas (earthen lamps) rather than to switch on an electric
light.
I have read that a lit diya is a ‘witness’ to our life.
According to the Rigveda, the origin of the diya is the Sun.
Ms Amla Ruia, a charming cultured lady, was kind enough to
share the following information with me.
Amlaji told me that during ‘Satyug’ (An Ancient period
in Time when Truth Love and Prayer reigned) Earth was closest to the purifying
rays of the Sun. ( A New Age friend claims that the Sun we are talking about is
the Great Central Sun)
During Kaliyug the earth is farthest removed and hence the
intellect becomes toxic, and is not able to function in a morally upright
fashion.
The deep reflecting light of the sun is helpful in creating
the right vibration, wherever it is shining and does not allow the harmful
residues to remain in our minds.
Older mothers did not like hair falling on the forehead of
her child because she wanted the light of the sun to continue to penetrate into
the brain through the forehead.
Even today, a new beginning is always inaugurated by the
‘Lighting of the Lamp’
It is believed that the light of the lamp annihilates ego.
The benefits.
1)
Lighting the diya with pure ghee is beneficial to the eyes
2)
Sesame seed oil gives one victory over enemies.
3)
If one lights diyas during the month of Kaartik, one gets the ‘punya’
(benefit of good deeds) of various ‘janams’ (lives).
Dhanteras:
My learned friend Vimla Patil tells me that Dhanteras is celebrated 2 days before Diwali. The 13th
day of the dark half or Krishnapaksha of the lunar Hindu month of Ashwin.
During Ashwin Amaavasya(Diwali) one performs the Lakshmi
Puja.
It is the only new moon night in the year which is festive.
It is said that the atmosphere, because of the change of season, is heavy
with magnetic particles on that night, and this is auspicious for the human
mind and body.
The magnetism in the atmosphere on that day attracts
Lakshmi,
the Goddess of wealth of all kinds - hospitality, lustre, gracious
behaviour, sharing, beauty and enjoyment of all creations of god with
detachment.
Dhan means wealth and Teras means 13.
Dhanteras is called ‘Yama- deep- daan’(Gifting of lamps
to the God of Death)
Yama is the God of death and I am about to tell you a story
connected with him.
A young maiden drove the God of Death (Who came disguised
as a serpent to kill her husband) away from her husband by keeping lamps lit
throughout the night.
Keeping the lamp lit through the night on Dhanteras is
considered so auspicious that even the God of Death returns to his home without
laying a finger on his victim. Therefore one can say that the light of the lamps
brings in prosperity, health and long life.
