For instance, it is believed that -
- Lighting a lamp with sesame oil destroys all evil.
- Lighting with castor oil brings joy to all relatives.
- Neem oil and Ghee bring in wealth.
- For Lord Ganesha - Coconut oil should be used; For Lord Narayana - Sesame Oil, For Godess Mahalaxmi - Ghee
- Groundnut oil is a strict no-no for lamps (I don't know the reason for this as yet, hoping to find out).
- Amongst the wicks, best is cotton, as it is believed to beget prosperity.
- Wick of lotus stem thread cleanses one of his sins.
- Wick of a new yellow cloth brings the Devi's blessings.
- Wick made out of banana stem fibre - removes sorrow
- Lighting of the lamp towards east removes sorrow and evil; Lighting towards the west removes debt and enemies. North is the most favorable direction as it will bring you the eight kinds of wealth and ensure success in everything you do. South is a strict no-no for lighting of a lamp.
- For the number of wicks - One is not considered to be a good option; Two gives happiness in the family; Three is for giving birth to a child; Four gives wealth; Five gives welfare health and all round prosperity.
- A lamp must not be ever made of stainless steel. It should either be of earthern mud or silver, gold or brass
Not to forget that the lamp must be put off with a flower, kumkum or milk at the end of the puja. It is also believed that after lighting the lamp one must not rub the excess oil on hair or on one's dress as it could make you loose your wealth.
The Spiritual Significance of Lighting a lamp -
Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness, ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord himself. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. The traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.
