Speaking of the merits that attach to the gift of lights

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Dhupas are incenses offered to the deities. Being of inflammable substances,

they are so made that they may burn slowly or smoulder silently. They are the

inseparable accompaniments of a worship of the deities.

 

 

 

Speaking of the merits that attach to the gift of lights, and who may give

them at what time and in what manner, and what should be the kind of lights that

should be offered.

 

 

 

Light is said to be energy and fame and has an upward motion. Hence the gift

of light, which is energy, enhances the energy of men. There is a hell of the

name of Andhatamas. The period also of the sun’s southward course is regarded as

dark. For escaping that hell and the darkness of this period, one should give

lights during the period when the sun is in his northward course. Such an act is

applauded by the good.

 

 

 

The sense seems to be that if a man dies during that period when the sun is

in his southward course, he is dragged through a thick darkness. For escaping

that darkness, one should give lights at the period mentioned.

 

 

 

Since, again, light has an upward course and is regarded as a remedy for

darkness, therefore, one should be a giver of light. Even this is the conclusion

of the scriptures. It is owing to the lights offered that the deities have

become endued with beauty, energy, and resplendence. By abstention from such an

act, the Rakshasas have become endued with the opposite attributes. Hence, one

should always give lights.

 

 

By giving lights a man becomes endued with keen vision and resplendence. One

that gives lights should be an object of jealousy with others. Lights, again,

should not be stolen, nor extinguished when given by others.

 

 

One that steals a light becomes blind. Such a man has to grope through

darkness (in the next world) and becomes destitute of resplendence. One that

gives lights shines in beauty in the celestial regions like a row of lights.

 

 

 

Among lights, the best are those in which ghee (clarified butter) is burnt.

Next in order are those in which the juice of the fruits yielded by deciduous

herbs is burnt. ( The juice of deciduous herbs is oil of mustard seeds, castor

seeds etc.)

 

 

One desirous of advancement and growth should never burn (for light) fat or

marrow or the juice that flows from the bones of creatures.

 

 

The man who desires his own advancement and prosperity should always give

lights at descents from mountains, in roads through forests and inaccessible

regions, under sacred trees standing in the midst of human habitations, and in

crossings of streets.

 

 

The man who gives lights always illumines his race, attains to purity of soul

and effulgence of form. Verily, such a man, after death, attains to the

companionship of the luminous bodies in the firmament.

 

 

 

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