What do the scriptures say about lighting a lamp in front of God? How many wicks should a lamp have? In which direction should it be lit? Before lighting a lamp near Tulsi, should a seat of unbroken rice grains be placed under the lamp? What to do if the lamp goes out? The scriptures answer many such questions.

Before beginning any puja, a lamp is initially lit on one side. A prayer is offered to the fire god to keep it burning and remain steady until the puja is completed. After this, a lamp is also lit in front of the deity. It is believed that lighting a lamp in front of the deity pleases Goddess Lakshmi and causes her to stay there. Lighting a lamp with pure ghee is considered very beneficial. Pure ghee has the ability to remove germs from the atmosphere. When such ghee comes in contact with fire, the atmosphere becomes completely pure, removing pollution. Lighting a lamp benefits the entire home.

There are some rules regarding the direction in which the wick should be
placed when lighting a lamp. An oil lamp should be held in the left hand, and a ghee lamp in the right. For wealth, the wick should be placed in the north. If someone in your home is frequently ill, the wick should be placed in the east. Both these directions are considered very auspicious. If the wick is in the west, you may face many problems.

How many wicks should be there in a lamp?

The lamp should not be placed in a place where it is dark for the Lord. If you need to light multiple wicks, they should be placed in unequal proportions, i.e., 1-3-5-7. When lighting the lamp, add a little oil to the wick without using it. Never mix ghee and oil in the lamp, as ghee is a Satva element and Nirguna element, while oil is a Raja element and Saguna element. Therefore, these two cannot be mixed together. Otherwise, the Tama element will increase.

Before lighting a lamp near the Tulsi plant, place unbroken rice grains on the base of the lamp. Light a lamp filled with oil or ghee, as desired. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi sits on the seat of unbroken rice grains, so placing unbroken rice grains on the lamp will help the Goddess to sit on it.

If a burning lamp goes out...

If a lamp placed in front of God goes out or goes out while being lit, it is considered an inauspicious sign. However, this belief is unfounded in scriptures. Therefore, one should not panic if the lamp goes out. After apologizing to God and the lamp, the lamp should be relit. However, if the lamp accidentally falls while being waved, a ritual called Deepapat is performed. It is said that the lamp should be extinguished at the same place where it fell.

PC: Navarastra