A lamp produces a greater amount of light than tiny candle. Therefore to try to compete with the light of a lamp with that of a candle is futile.
Dīpaḥ means light, but also knowledge, and for better, transcendental knowledge (jïāna-dīpaḥ). Now, material world means darkness, because of not knowing who we are and what is our purpose. This darkness is a side product of transcendental light. As in the example, if there is a shadow, we can understand that there is a light which produces that shadow. If our consciousness is enveloped in darkness we can infer that there is a consciousness which is shining with full awareness. Every light produces shadow. Shadow is not producing light. Without light there would not be any shadow. Darkness of shadow is just side product of the light absent.
If some light is lit, it lights up little space, produces shadow of its own form, and of other surrounding objects. Most powerful light producer in this world is sūrya or the Sun planet, but still, being material, it lightens only the upper portion of the universe. The bottom is set in deep darkness. Though, being very powerful, when the Sun is on the sky, there is no place for darkness. The same applies to jïāna-dīpaḥ, the light of transcendence. When Kṛṣṇa shines in our consciousness like the sun, there is no place for darkness of illusion and false lies presented as knowledge. Only those under the strong sway of envy, not able to appreciate the beauty of Kṛṣṇa's, has shadow of ignorance cast in their hearts. They carry their insignificant torch and candle lights of community, nation, race, state, humanity and so on proclaiming it as universally important, which causes gruesome shadow-dark fears and uncertainties in consciousness of otherwise bright lit souls.
kṛṣṇa—sūrya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra
(Cc. Madhya 22.31)
Otherwise, so-called truths, which differs from Kṛṣṇa consciousness, are all too many candles or may be big powerful lamps, endeavoring to dissipate darkness of their own shadows, yet creating too many shadows and ghost lights. This hardly benefits anyone. It creates great confusion about which light is the right one. With all sincerity one has to look for the ultimate light of Kṛṣṇa’s grace and benefit others.
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