A few decades/centuries ago, before the electricity revolution – there were no wires, no light bulbs, no televisions, no mobiles and no internet; hence, everyone must have been more socially connected in ways that now we can only now know by googling or reading old books.
In those days, people used various kinds of lamps to find their way in the darkness or to look at something or to use it to write and importantly to read!
Though I remember using wax candles (during power failures/outages) it was just to be not lost in the darkness, I don’t remember ever using oil lamps for reading purposes – mainly because I didn’t enthusiastically read anything until I turned 35. And now, 5 years later, I still read but I need to wear a pair of reading glasses to see things clearly… but still far from clearly understanding it…
Anyways, as people get older they become more nostalgic, and I am not an exception. For some time I wanted to buy an oil lamp not just for decorative purposes but also for actual use!
A few days ago when we went to Parrys Corner Bazaar, I bought this beautiful lamp for Rs.70/- (yes, I know! It’s a bargain) and since then loving it. I filled her with kerosene and when lit she glows majestically…
ஒரு எண்ணெய் விளக்குக்குள் இருக்கின்ற திரி எப்படி
அந்த எண்ணெய்யை உறுஞ்சி உணர்வுபூர்வமாக உள்வாங்கி
ஒரு தீப்பொறிக்காக ஏங்கிக்கொண்டு இருக்குமோ, அதைப்போல்
நாமும் ஆன்மிக சுடர்க்காக ஏங்க வேண்டுமல்லவா?
எப்படி ஒரு திரி அந்த உயிர் தீயினை பரவுகின்றதோ, அதைப்போல் நாமும் ஆன்மிக அற ஒளியினை பரப்ப வேண்டுமல்லவா?
அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி
To end with Tiruvalluvar’s wise words:
எல்லா விளக்கும் விளக்கல்ல சான்றோர்க்குப்
பொய்யா விளக்கே விளக்கு. (kural 299)
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