" The Glow of Light "
First thing in the morning in a Hindu family, a lamp is lit in the puja room and 'Suprabhatham ' is recited. A glowing lamp always stands as a witness when people take oath. In Hindu marriages, 'Agni' is considered as essential and in its presence only the tying of the knot takes place to announce the successful alliance between a man and a woman.
Lighting of lamps in Temples is considered as sacred. The story of a rat which lit a lamp in ' Vedaranyam Temple' ( Vedaranyam is near Tanjore in Tamilnadu) stands as a classical illustration. The rat, in fact, attempted to drink the oil in the lamp as it went bereft of food for quite some time and became hungry. The light which was about to be extinguished got a new life when the tip of the nose of the rat touched the wick and thus got triggered. The rat got frightened by the sudden glow of the lamp and ran away. Nevertheless, the rat had done a good and sacred act of lighting the lamp that too in a Siva Temple and thus earned the divine blessings.
The rat by virtue of this, took rebirth according to mythology, as ' Maha Bali Chakravarthi'. Further when all other demons were killed by Vishnu, Maha Bali was blessed by Vishnu as 'Chiranjeevi' and is said to live permanently in 'Patal Loka'. The outcome of a simple act of kindling a fading oil lamp in a ' Sivalaya 'is so much rewarding. One may wonder what paradise or eldorado lies ahead for good Samaritans!
During the festival days, it is a common sight that Temples are decorated with plenty of oil lamps glowing profusely. The variety, the architecture, the colour, the size, the intriguing rows both horizontal and vertical, and the myriad number, the radiance and above all the glow takes the on looker by breath !
A great significance is attached to ' Makara Jyothi ' which is seen by lakhs of devotees at Sabarimala every year on Makara Sankranti day. 'Annamalai Deepam' and 'Sarvalaya Deepam' in the month of Karthigai are celebrated with interest and devotion.
' Moksha Deepam ' is lit on the tower of the temples in reverence and for peace.
'Pavai Vilakku' represents a woman in the traditional dress, wearing attractive ornaments and holding a lamp or vilakku. Tamil Nadu is famous for Pavai Vilakku for its variety, size and decoration.
The discussion will be incomplete if I don't mention about Sun God who is worshipped as the dispeller of darkness. The Sun God lights up the whole world to awaken people. The world will be plunged in darkness and there will be no dawn in the absence of the Sun. The general saying 'Good Morning' will not also be in vogue.
When the day is hot, we search for a shade. A banyan tree with its spreading branches is a good relief. People love to gather and spend time as seated under a large banyan tree, during picnics. The light and shadow under the floor of the tree create a wonderful scene and the cool breeze when it blows will be enjoyable.
However when the leaves dance to the music of the wind, the sun light passes through the gap. This happens at random only. Likewise, the phenomenon of happiness or bliss appear in one's life now and then. It does not stay permanently. It is because of our acts which happen to be good at times and bad at some other times. Good deeds done in the past, act as a reservoir. They are instumental for removing the hurdles to let the sun rays to pass through and for the light of happiness to peep in. 
What prevents the sun rays from falling is due to the interface of ' karma ' . Happiness is said to be an eternal Bliss. The key to obtain happinesss depends upon the way of life, one leads. There is fullfilment at the end of every good act performed.
One can feel the glow of the light inside as he pursues to deliver noble deeds !
posted by food for thought | 4:03 AM
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