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Does something bad happen if the diya goes off?

Is it bad if a diya goes off? This is a frequently asked question among people who light the evening lamp or diya regularly in their puja room. Cultivating the attitude 'Everything is Divine Prasad', which embodies Prasada Bhakti, is a good way to minimise negative thoughts with regard to one's way of worship. 

When we light the lamp in our homes, imagine you are sending out divine love to the world.

 When you burn the incense stick, imagine you are burning away all negative karma within each family member and offering it before your Ishta Devata.

[READ: How To Light Deepam at Home and Why Malayalis Light Nilavilaku]

                                                    [Image by Sachin Yadav @ Pixabay]

What Happens When A Diya Goes Off?

Many consider it as a 'bad omen'. For a devotee who worships Ishta Devata, everything represents Divine Grace. This means you are rooted in devotion, not anxiety. Prahlada kept chanting the sacred and powerful name of Lord Narayana even when he was threatened to be killed by his mighty father. If we choose to see incidents such as a diya going off as a bad omen, our minds will conjure up all sorts of dangers and worries. See everything in a positive light. Find solutions rather than worry or plunge into anxiety at the slightest issue.

If we can view everything in our life as God's Prasadam and hold on steadfastly to praying with pure love and sincerity, no danger can harm us. A true devotee fears NOTHING.

Why Did My Lamp Suddenly Turn Off?

Where there is faith, there should be no scope for fear - this is Bhagawan Krishna's message to Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. 

That represents strength of Bhakti. [READ: Bhakti: Meera's Greatest Wealth]

Consider another example in the tradition of Bhakti. 

When Prahlada, a young lad, is targeted by his own father, he remains calm under every situation. When he is thrown into the sea, the wise lad is reminded that the sea is the abode of Shriman Narayana. [READ: Amazing Stories of Lord Shiva]

He recoginises that the Panchabhutas are revered as 'Bhagawad Swarupa' or the manifestation of Bhagawan Narayana himself. 

What happens to Prahlad when he is tossed into the sea? He doesn't drown.

Prahlada's unwavering faith in Narayana saves his life. The king of the sea manifests and bows before the great Bhakti of Prahlada. 

                                                          [Image @ Pexels]
                                           

The power of Bhakti shapes our experiences.

It is simply not enough to light the evening lamp as a mere ritual.

We are inviting our Ishta Devata into our homes. 

To dispel the darkness in our minds. 

When we light the lamp, we are bringing in the energy of Agni Dev into our homes and our subtle consciousness.  

When we offer Prasadam, we are not simply feasting. We are expressing our love, the energy that made this culinary preparation, at the lotus feet. 

It is the same when we imagine Bhagawan Narayana's splendour. 

Truth is, we need to internalise that He saves us every moment! The realisation should be so strong within us that no fear should pollute our minds.

What does it mean when diya goes off? 

Light the diya again. Or bow in surrender before your Guru or Ishta Devata.

If our Bhakti and our offering of lighting the diya is pure, then we should have no fears or worries if diya goes off. 

[READ: How Do You Light Deepam at Home? and Attukal Pongala]

                                                                  [Image @ Pexels]

What happens when a diya goes off? 

Do not fear. Our Ishta Devata is always protecting us. 

Every time we light the diya, pray sincerely that our faith should be pure and innocent like Prahlada.

End your daily prayers with a prayer for the harmony and peace of the world and and complete it by chanting 'Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti.'

How long should a diya burn for?

You can keep it lit for as long as you can pay attention to its effulgence.

What happens if a diya falls down by mistake? 

Nothing bad happens as it is simply a mistake. Have faith that your Ishta Devata and your Guru are always protecting you. Remove such fears from your mind.

Trust in Divine Grace.

 
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