The divinity of light

Light is a pure energy source. It is widely believed that the divinity in light generates a sense of calm and wellbeing.  As a little girl I was fascinated and curious when my mother lit the silver lamp before she began her daily chores. I thought she was following this ritual to please God.

“Does this make God happy?” I asked her one day to which she replied,

“Yes, God will be happy, but ‘light is God and God is light’, she added.

Her reply did confuse me at that time. But now when I think about it, I feel there was much truth in those simple words said to a confused little girl.

Candle, incense, lamp, whatever it may be, this is an element that brings positivity and good energy flow. In its pristine form light signifies knowledge and wisdom; on the other hand darkness is associated with ignorance. Most religions believe in the power of light, one way or another. Light also improves our moods. People who live in cold countries often complain about the gloomy and dreary weather. Come summer and everybody is happy to step out and soak up the sun. Don’t we all ensure that our homes get plenty of sunshine? Such is the power of light!

A beautiful moment, a celebration, a romantic night, a touch of warmth, a touch of class, sheer ecstasy, a flavour to inhale, a sweet memory, a contemplative state; a ray of light can touch that chord to trigger off these positive emotions. This is the magic of light!

Yoga, wisdom and light are all interconnected. There is a cosmic energy that is already present in the Universe. Light is a mere invitation for the energy to come to you or your surroundings. Candle gazing, also known as trataka, is extremely popular whist meditating and cleansing one’s mind.

I recall having read an interesting fact in a book by John Ittner that at Sivananda ashrams, worldwide, the food served is sattvic (mild and pure). They include only those vegetables that are grown in natural sunshine and mushrooms in particular are not served, as they are grown in dark conditions.

The traits or 'gunas' of nature is well explained in Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu Scripture. This chapter reveals the wisdom of the three characteristics of nature imparted to the great warrior Arjun by Lord Krishna:

·        sattva (light)

·         rajas (fire)

·        tamas (darkness).

A sattvic mind is calm, serene and inquisitive, a rajasic mind is fiery and craves for power and a tamasic mind is ignorant, lazy and dull.

Renowned yogis feel the sattva, the light within themselves. They were able to perceive their true inner self and the light within. The story of Buddha and the sages who have attained enlightenment have seen this eternal light that has taken them closer to God and to become one with the Almighty.

Light is all pervasive and spins the energy wheel in our daily life.