DIYA

 Diya is a symbol of the Self. It can be related perfectly with ourselves. Diya is made of clay, which represents our body. Has a wick made of cotton, which represents our ego, the oil represents our negative emotions (vasanas i.e. anger, jealousy, hatred etc). The flame of diya is always burning upwards, and motivates us to strive towards higher ideals in life.

 As the diya burns out itself to expel the darkness around and provides light to all, so is when our vasanas are lit up with spiritual knowledge(i.e flame), they run down just like oil in a lamp, making the ego disappear completely like the cotton wick in lamp.

The flame of diya is always burning upwards, and motivates us to strive towards higher ideals in life. It is only when we free ourselves from ego and are humble, sacrifice ourselves for others (just as a lamp does), then only we can serve our society truly. In this way, once our soul (the atma) cleanses we come close to the ultimate divine (the parmatma).

Hope is light, knowledge is light, truth is light, victory- the ultimate light. Against all odds of mistrust and doubts just like the truth shines through so is the victory which vanishes all the darkness.

The earliest known oil lamp is supposedly dated back to the Chalcolithic Age, about 4500 to 3300 BC and continued in various traditions till the electric lights became popular.

 Even during meditation, a lighted lamp is used for concentration of mind and ward off evil energies around. Burning oil/ghee lamps in the house brings in positivity.