tvameva
kevalaṃ kartā’si.
tvameva
kevalaṃ dhartā’si.
This
Dancing Ganesha Hand-Held Oil Lamp emits the vivid spirit of Lord Ganesha, who
is the Karta (doer) and Dharta (protector). The maker of this brass lamp has
reached the peak of inventiveness by placing Lord Ganesha on a peacock tail
hood. Bringing the peacock and Lord Ganesha
completes the deities Mayureshwara avatar. With five wicks, technically a
Panchadeepam, this lamp adopts a unique design approach, with the wicks
arranged hierarchically and fashioned as half-bloomed flowers. When lighted,
this lamp will resemble Lord Ganesha dancing on a pyramid of light.
The Dance of Divine Light
Illuminate your sacred spaces with the radiant presence of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of good fortune, captured in a vibrant dance. This exquisite brass oil lamp is a testament to skilled craftsmanship, designed to bring both spiritual serenity and aesthetic beauty into your home or puja room. The central figure of Ganesha is depicted in the joyful abandon of the *Tandava*, a cosmic dance that symbolizes creation, preservation, and destruction. His dynamic pose, with raised trunk and flowing garments, conveys a sense of exuberant energy and divine power.A Symphony of Lamps
From the base, which is intricately carved with traditional motifs, emerges a beautifully stylized tree, branching outwards to hold five individual *diyas* (oil lamps). Each lamp is a small vessel, ready to be filled with oil and a wick, to cast a warm, flickering glow. The arrangement of the lamps, reminiscent of blossoming flowers on a divine branch, creates a captivating visual rhythm. This multi-wick design is perfect for significant festivals and daily rituals, allowing for a sustained and encompassing luminescence that is believed to ward off negativity and invite auspicious energies. The very act of lighting these lamps is a meditation, a practice deeply rooted in Hindu traditions to honor deities and create a sacred atmosphere.
Echoes of Myth and Tradition
Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed deity, is a central figure in Hindu mythology. He is revered as the son of Shiva and Parvati, and his wisdom and foresight are invoked before any undertaking. The "dancing" depiction is often associated with the joyous celebrations of life and the divine play (*Lila*) of the gods. In this lamp, the dancing Ganesha atop the branching structure can be seen as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of the universe, with Ganesha at the apex, orchestrating the symphony of existence. The brass material itself holds cultural significance, being considered a sacred metal in India, often used for religious artifacts due to its purity and durability. This lamp is not merely a light source; it is a conduit for devotion, a piece of art that connects the earthly realm with the divine. It is an heirloom-quality piece, crafted to be cherished and passed down through generations.The Power of Light: Understanding the Role of Oil Lamps in
Hinduism
Hinduism is a boon to human society for it guides everyone to
follow their Dharma and rise above the material concept of life.
Hinduism is also known as “Sanatan Dharma”. These are Sanskrit
terms in which Sanatan means “eternal” and Dharma means “Intrinsic
nature or occupation”. Thus it deals with the intrinsic nature or
the real identity of the living entities; that which can never be
taken away from them. The principles of Hinduism are given in the
Vedic literature or scriptures that are considered “Apaurusheya”;
they have not been written by any ordinary person but have been
compiled by Vyasadev, the literary incarnation of the Supreme Lord
Krishna. The word “Veda” means complete knowledge, both material
and spiritual. The knowledge in Vedic literature is so vast and
precise that if one looks carefully, he will notice that nothing
is sentimental or imaginary but is based on facts and truth. There
is a clear description and information about the identity of all
living beings, the nature of the Absolute Truth, the reason for
the existence of this world, the information about the world
beyond this universe, and the relationship between us and God, the
Absolute Truth.
Why do we light a lamp?
There are many rituals recommended in the Vedas for engaging our
body and mind in the service of God. One of them is the lighting
of ghee or oil lamps before the deity. According to the Vedic
injunctions, all auspicious functions begin with lighting a
lamp. It has a great spiritual significance. It is believed that
the light of the lamp symbolizes “knowledge”, the wick
symbolizes the false ego of the living entity, and ghee
(clarified butter) or oil symbolizes all the negative tendencies
(Anarthas) accumulated in the heart such as greed, lust, anger,
and envy. When the lamp is lit by spiritual knowledge, all the
Anarthas are exhausted, and the false ego, which is the root
cause of conditional life, is also burnt. Therefore, the lamp is
lit before the Lord as a sacrifice of our false ego in His
service. Just as the light of the lamp dissipates all darkness,
similarly, the light of knowledge dissipates ignorance of the
Jivas and enables us to realize our real identity and purpose of
life.
Why only an oil or ghee lamp?
One may question why only an oil lamp is lit before the Lord and
why not an artificial light source. This may sound logical but
lighting a lamp has a further spiritual significance. The flame
of the light in a lamp always burns upwards indicating that by
cultivating spiritual knowledge, one achieves the highest
perfection of life and is always victorious. Also, a traditional
lamp is the purest form of offering.
In almost every house of a follower of Sanatan Dharma, an oil or
ghee lamp is lit before the altar of the Lord or before the Tulsi
plant. Some people light it at dawn, some at dusk, and some people
prefer to light it at dawn and dusk. Either ghee or sesame oil can
be used to burn the wick. Vaishnavas (devotees of Lord Vishnu or
Krishna) especially light a ghee lamp every day in the month of
Kartik to offer their love and devotion to the Lord.
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