An electrodeless discharge lamp operating apparatus includes a transparent discharge vessel (1) in which a luminescent substance is enclosed; a coil (3) for generating an alternating electromagnetic field that discharges the luminescent substance; a power source (4) for supplying alternating current to the coil (3). The coil (3) comprises at least a magnetic material, and is disposed on an inner side than the outer side wall of the discharge vessel (1), and the luminescent substance comprises at least a rare gas, and does not comprise mercury.