On the Kaartika Purnimaa day, why do people light 365 or 1001 lamps?

[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on November 15, 2020, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]

Swāmi replied: O Learned and Devoted Servants of God! A person burning 1001 lamps is more ignorant and a greater sinner than the person burning 365 lamps. The oil used by the former and the oil used by latter can instead, be donated to poor people to maintain their life-lamps. In that case, the former would become more meritorious than the latter. God has nothing to do with the lamps since He is the source of even the light of the sun, moon and stars (Tasya bhāsā…—Veda). Ghee and oil are precious food items and the Veda says that food should not be destroyed (Annam na pari cakṣīta…). In ancient days, neither electricity nor kerosene were available and hence, oil lamps were used. It was not a sin because it was unavoidable. Even the oil lamps were used only during the night and not during the day when sunlight is available.

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