Though a lit candle serves many purposes, are we aware of what happens at a spiritual level when a candle is lit? To ascertain the effect of a lit candle and a lamp lit using clarified butter (ghee-lamp) at a spiritual level, with the help of modern equipment, we did a comparative study using the electrosomatographic technique on ten seekers from around the world – five seekers without negative energy distress and five seekers with negative energy distress. We used the DDFAO equipment for this study.
Detrimental effect of Tama component from a lit candle
• When seekers without spiritual distress hold a lit candle, due to contact with its tamasik vibrations, Tama component gets concentrated in their body. Due to this, the activity of their upper and lower chakrasdecreases.
• Black energy centres in the body of an individual with negative energy distress respond swiftly and maximally to the distressing vibrations emitted from the lit candle. That is why the duration of the effect of a lit candle lasts longer than that of a lit ghee-lamp. On the other hand, the sattvik vibrations from a lit ghee-lamp are utilised for destroying the distressing centres in the body. Hence, its effect lasts for a shorter period.
• Effect of a lit candle lasts as per the severity of negative energy distress: The duration of the effect of a lit candle lasts for a shorter time in an individual with mild negative energy distress. This is because the Tama component from the lit candle is imbibed to a lesser extent. Individuals possessed by a superior mantrik imbibe Tama component to a greater extent. That is why its effect lasts longer.
5.2 Benefit of sattvikta from a lit ghee-lamp
• When seekers without spiritual distress hold a lit ghee-lamp, due to contact with its sattvik vibrations, Sattva component gets concentrated in their body. Due to this the activity of their upper four chakrasdecreases. In seekers following the Path of Action, even the activity of their lower three chakrasdecreases.
• In seekers with a spiritual level above 60% and without spiritual distress, due to contact with sattvik vibrations from a lit ghee-lamp, the Sattva component in their bodies increases. As a result, their upper four chakrasgive up their sagun status and move to the nirgun state. That is why their activity decreases.
• By holding a lit ghee-lamp which emits sattvik vibrations, the black energy covering on the upper four chakras of seekers with negative energy distress decreases. When seekers with negative energy distress hold a lit ghee-lamp, due to contact with its sattvik vibrations, the black energy covering on their upper four chakrasdue to storage of black energy decreases. Hence, the activity of those chakras increases. In seekers possessed by inferior negative energies, the activity of the lower three chakrasalso increases.
• When seekers with mild negative energy distress hold a lit ghee-lamp, the Sattva component imbibed from it decreases slowly. Hence, its effect lasts longer. In seekers with severe negative energy distress, the imbibed Sattva component is used to destroy distressing black energy centres in the body. As a result, its effect lasts only for a short duration.
• Upon holding a lit ghee-lamp, the duration of its effect on the seven Kundalini chakrasis shorter in the case of seekers going from the nirgun to the sagun state. In case of seekers going from the sagun to the nirgun state, the effect lasts for a longer period.
6.1 Minimise use of candles
This experiment showed us the detrimental effect of being in contact with a lit candle. Presently the use of lit candles is highly prevalent. Having understood its effect, we can try to limit its use to the minimum.
6.2 Steps to limit the adverse effect of candles
When it is unavoidable to use candles, we can try to minimise their adverse effect. This can be achieved by creating a protective border by writing the chant of God's Name around the lit candle. We can also pray to God with spiritual emotion , for protection from the adverse effects of contact with a lit candle.
6.3 Try to use a lit ghee-lamp wherever possible
This experiment also showed us the beneficial effect of using a lit ghee-lamp. The practice of using a lit ghee-lamp is fast declining. Besides reasons such as being a bit cumbersome compared to using a candle, an important reason is lack of awareness of its highly beneficial effect. Having understood its importance, we can make efforts to use it wherever possible.
6.4 Importance of lighting a ghee-lamp in front of the altar
The main spiritual objective in lighting a candle or lamp in front of the altar (Images or symbols of God) is to imbibe the sattvikta emanating from the altar. When we light a candle, not only are we unable to imbibe the sattvikta, we also spread tamasik vibrations in our environment. On the other hand, when we light a ghee-lamp, we are best able to imbibe the sattvikta. Taking this into consideration, as far as possible we can try to light a ghee-lamp in front of the altar.
