"Light"

   
     The Sun is the chief source of light, and light moves as electromagnetic waves in all directions from the Sun. Only an insignificant amount of just 0.2 per cent of it reaches a small part of the earth, at any time! Thus, it is significant to know how solar radiation that gives heat, light, life-force (actinic rays) are important. In fact, we do not know anything about this solar radiation since only a small band of spectrum is known to us! We do not know much beyond the Infra-Red and the Ultra-Violet rays of the Sun. We do not know how the entire universe is dark and the galaxies lit up the space (sky) here and there like the light of cities on New moon day on earth! It is still a wonder how can there be darkness when there is light, or for that matter, how can light come out of darkness? Little do we know about the entire dark space full of dark energy! However, we know something about how stars are born, courtesy NASA!
    Today, the entire humanity is in darkness and needs 'Light'. The entire world is groping indark as to know what is really happening! The Corona virus or the Covid19 has shut down the entire world. The entire world is locked down. Nobody stirs! This is unheard of even in times of war, famines, and floods. The entire world is looking for a savior. The wise sages advise to light the lamp! Lamp is significant as the symbol of right knowledge. 

     The scriptures have explained how the jiva is born in ignorance and dies in ignorance. Ignorance is darkness. The jive suffers due to its ignorance. The ignorance is of the lack of knowledge of the self. This knowledge of the self, Atma-jnyan, is not easy to get. It is not easy because the jiva is not interested in knowing its self. This 'Knowledge of the Self' (Atma-jnyan) needs a journey inward; but, the jiva is always engaged in the external transient objective world! Once the jiva realizes its true nature, it turns toward its inner self!

   The 'Light Within' is the 'Atma Jyoti'. The soul is the true light! The soul is knowledgeable. The soul is knowledge by itself! The soul is the 'Light', knowledge, jnyan. The soul, 'Atman', is a lamp that burns without any oil, wick, or cup. It is the life-force, knowledge. It is the inherent nature of the soul and knows it path. However, the jiva ignorant of its self does not know the 'light within'. The jiva looks for knowledge, jnyan, light outside of itself. This is the tragedy. The jiva suffers due to this ignorance. Here, 'Ignorance' is not the 'lack of knowledge, ajnyan, but it is the knowledge covered by moha, krodha, lobha, mada, matsarya, irshya, and a hundred acquired qualities. It is the desire, greed, acquisitive nature and sensuous life that has covered its light, true nature. Once the jiva comes out of this darkness by opening its inner eye it will find its salvation! There is need for guidance in this regard and only an attained person, jyani, Guru can help the jiva to lighten up the inner light!
    Hence, the wise have adopted the symbolic lighting tradition. It is necessary to keep some light at the doorsteps so that lightens up both inside and outside! The light should not be put off anytime! It is inauspicious if a lamp is blown off! It is a sign of peril in the offing! Always keep the lamps lit!
  The Vedic prayer is: tamaso maa jyotirgamaya | meaning, "Lead me from darkness to Light". The Lord answered the devotee's prayer saying: tattvamasi |, meaning, "Thou art that". There is no other light besides your Self! The Brahma sutra says about akshipurusha- the sun, the eyes, and the Atman (soul) are one!