युधिष्ठिर उवाच आलोकदानं नामैतत् कीदृशं भरतर्षभ। कथमेतत् समुत्पन्नं फलं वा तद् ब्रवीहि मे।॥
Yudhishthira said Of what kind is the gift of light, О chief of Bharata's race? How did this gift originate? What are the merits of it? Do you tell me all this.
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। मनोः प्रजापतेर्वादं सुवर्णस्य च भारत॥
Bhishma said Regarding it, O Bharata, is recited the old discourse between Manu, that lord of creatures, and Suvarna,
तपस्वी कश्चिदभवत् सुवर्णो नाम भारत। वर्णतो हेमवर्णः स सुवर्ण इति पप्रथे॥
These was formerly an ascetic, O Bharata named Suvarna. His complexion was like that of gold and hence he was called Suvarna.
कुलशीलगुणोपेतः स्वाध्याये च परंगतः। बहून् सुवंशप्रभवान् समतीतः स्वकैर्गुणैः॥
Gifted with good birth, good conduct and good qualities, he had mastered all the Vedas. Indeed, by the accomplishments he possessed, he succeeded in excelling many persons of noble birth.
स कदाचिन्मनुं विप्रो ददर्शोपससर्प च। कुशलप्रश्नमन्योन्यं तौ चोभौ तत्र चक्रतुः॥
One day that learned Brahmana beheld Manu, the lord of all creatures, and approached him. Meeting each other, they made the usual polite enquires.
ततस्तौ सत्यसंकल्पौ मेरौ काञ्चनपर्वते। रमणीये शिलापृष्ठे सहितौ संन्यषीदताम्॥
Both of them were in the truth. Having met each other, they sat down on charming breast of the golden mount Meru.
तत्र तौ कथयन्तौ स्तां कथा नानाविधाश्रयाः। ब्रह्मर्षिदेवदैत्यानां पुराणानां महात्मनाम्॥
Seated there they began to talk with each other on various subjects about the great deities and twiceborn Rishis and Daityas of ancient times.
सुवर्णस्त्वब्रवीद् वाक्यं मनुं स्वायम्भुवं प्रति। हितार्थं सर्वभूतानां प्रश्न मे वक्तुमर्हसि॥
Then Suvarna addressing the Selfcreate Manu, said these words:You should answer one question of mine for the behoof of all creatures.
सुमनोभिर्यदिज्यन्ते दैवतानि प्रजेश्वर। किमेतत् कथमुत्पन्नं फलं योगे च शंस मे॥
O lord of all creatures, the celestials are scen to be adored with presents of flowers and other good scents. What is this? How has this practice come into operation? What also are the merits of it? Do you describe this subject to me.
मनुरुवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। शुक्रस्य च बलेश्चैव संवादं वै महात्मनोः॥
Manu said Regarding it is recited the oid discourse between Shukra and the great (Daitya) Bali.
बलेवैरोचनस्येह त्रैलोक्यमनुशासतः। समीपमाजगामाशु शुक्रो भृगुकुलोद्वहः॥
Once on a time, Shukra of Bhrigu's race approached Bali the son of Virochana while he was ruling the three worlds.
तमादिभिरभ्यर्च्य भार्गवं सोऽसुराधिपः। निषसादासने पश्चाद् विधिवद् भूरिदक्षिणः॥
Having adored the descendant of Bhrigu with the Arghya, the king of the Asuras, that profuse giver of sacrificial presents, sat down after his guest had seated himself.
कथेयमभवत् तत्र त्वया या परिकीर्तिता। सुमनोधूपदीपानां सम्प्रदाने फलं प्रति॥ ततः पप्रच्छ दैत्येन्द्रः कवीन्द्रं प्रश्नमुत्तमम्॥
This very subject which you have introduced regarding the merits of the gift of flowers and incense and lamps, came up on the occasion. Indeed the king of the Daityas put this high question of Shukra that most learned of all ascetics.
बलि उवाच सुमनोधूपदीपानां किं फलं ब्रह्मवित्तम। प्रदानस्य द्विजश्रेष्ठ तद् भवान् वक्तुमर्हति॥
Bali said O foremost of all persons conversant with Brahma, what, indeed, is the merit of giving flowers and incense and lamps? You should, O foremost of Brahmanas, describe this to me.
शुक्र उवाच तपः पूर्वं समुत्पन्नं धर्मस्तस्मादनन्तरम्। एतस्मिन्नन्तरे चैव वीरुदोषध्य एव च॥
Shukra said Penance first sprang into existence. Afterwards came religion. In the interval many creepers and herbs sprang up.
सोमस्यात्मा च बहुधा सम्भूतः पृथिवीतले। अमृतं च विषं चैव ये चान्ये तृणजातयः॥
Their species were innumerable. All of them have the Moon for their lord. Some of these creepers and herbs came to be considered as Ambrosia and some came to be considered as Poison. Others that were neither this nor that formed one class.
अमृतं मनसः प्रीतिं सद्यस्तृप्तिं ददाति च। मनो ग्लपयते तीव्र विषं गन्धेन सर्वशः॥
That is Ambrosia which gives immediate pleasure and joy to the mind. That is Poison which tortures the mind greatly by its smell.
अमृतं मङ्गलं विद्धि महद्विषममङ्गलम्। ओषध्यो ह्रामृतं सर्वा विषं तेजोऽग्निसम्भवम्॥
men Know again that Ambrosia is highly auspicious and that Poison Poison is highly inauspicious. All the herbs are Ambrosia. Poison is born of the energy of fire.
मनो ह्लादयते यस्माच्छ्रियं चापि दधाति च। तस्मात् सुमनसः प्रोक्ता नरैः सुकृतकर्मभिः॥
Flowers please the mind and confer prosperity. Hence of pious deeds bestowed the name Sumanas on thein.
देवताभ्य: सुमनसो यो ददाति नरः शुचिः। तस्य तुष्यन्ति वै देवास्तुष्टाः पुष्टिं ददत्यपि॥
That man who in a state of purity offers flowers to the celestials finds that the celestials become pleased with him, and as the result of such satisfaction confer prosperity upon him.
यं यमुद्दिश्य दीयेरन् देवं सुमनसः प्रभो। मङ्गलार्थं स तेनास्य प्रीतो भवति दैत्यप॥
O king of the Daityas, those celestials to whom worshippers offer flowers, O lord, uttering their names the while, become pleased with the offerers on account of their devotion.
ज्ञेयास्तूग्राश्च सौम्याश्च तेजस्विन्यश्च ताः पृथक्। ओषध्यो बहुवीर्या हि बहुरूपास्तथैव च।॥
The (deciduous) herbs are of various kinds and possess different qualities. They should be classed as fierce, mild, and powerful.
यज्ञियानां च वृक्षाणामयज्ञीयान् निबोध मे। आसुराणि च माल्यानि दैवतेभ्यो हितानि च॥
Listen to me as I tell you which tress are useful for purposes of sacrifice and which are not so. Hear also what garlands are acceptable to Asuras, and what are beneficial when offered to the celestials.
रक्षसामुरगाणां च यक्षाणां च तथा प्रियाः। मनुष्याणां पितॄणां च कान्तायास्त्वनुपूर्वशः॥
I shall also set forth in due order what garlands are killed by the Rakshasas, what by the Uragas, what by the Yakshas, what by human beings, and what by the departed Manes, in proper order.
वन्या ग्राम्याश्चेह तथा कृष्टोप्ताः पर्वताश्रयाः। अकण्टकाः कण्टकिनो गन्धरूपरसान्विताः॥
Flowers are of various kinds. Some are wild, some are from iress which grow in the midst of human dwellings; some belong to trees which never grow unless planted on wellcultivated soil; some are from trees growing on mountains,; some are from trees which are not prickly; and some from tress which are prickly. Fragrance, beauty of form and taste also make grounds of classification.
द्विविधो हि स्मृतो गन्ध इष्टोऽनिष्टश्च पुष्पजः। इष्टगन्धानि देवानां पुष्पाणीति विभावय॥
The scent of flowers is of two kinds, agreeable and disagreeable. Those flowers which have sweet smell should be offered to the celestials.
अकण्टकानां वृक्षाणां श्वेतप्रायाश्च वर्णतः। तेषां पुष्पाणि देवानामिष्टानि सततं प्रभो॥
The flowers of trees which have no thorns are generally white in colour. Such flowers are always acceptable to the celestials, O lord.
जलजानि च माल्यानि पद्मादीनि च यानि वै। गन्धर्वनागयक्षेभ्यस्तानि दद्याद् विचक्षणः॥
A wise man should offer garlands red of aquatic flowers, such as the lotus and the like, to the Gandharvas and Nagas and Yakshas.
ओषध्यो रक्तपुष्पाश्च कटुकाः कण्टकान्विताः। शत्रूणामभिचारार्थमाथर्वेषु निदर्शिताः॥
Such plants and herbs as produce red flowers, as have been scent, and as are prickly, have been laid down in the Atharvans as fit for all acts of incantation for injuring enemies.
तीक्ष्णवीर्यास्तु भूतानां दुरालम्भाः सकण्टकाः। रक्तभूयिष्ठवर्णाश्च कृष्णाश्चैवोपहारयेत्॥
Such flowers as have keen energy, as are painful to the touch, as grow on trees and plants having thorns, and as are either bloodyred or black, should be offered to (evil) spirits an unearthly beings.
मनोहृदयनन्दिन्यो विशेषमधुराश्च याः। चारुरूपाः सुमनसो मानुषाणां स्मृता विभो॥
Such flowers as please the mind and heart, as are very agreeable when pressed, and as are of beautiful form, have been said, O lord, to be worthy of being offered to men.
न तु श्मशानसम्भूता देवतायतनोद्भवाः। संनयेत् पुष्टियुक्तेषु विवाहेषु रहःसु च॥
Such flowers as grow on cemeteries and crematoria, or in places dedicated to the celestials, should not be brought and used for marriage and other rites having growth and prosperity for their object, or for acts of pleasure in secrecy.
गिरिसानुरुहाः सौम्या देवानामुपपादयेत्। प्रोक्षिताऽभ्युक्षिताः सौम्या यथायोग्यं यथास्मृति।।३४
Such flowers as grow on mountains and in vales, and as are beautiful to look at and sweetscented; should be offered to the celestials. Sprinkling them with sandal paste, such sweet flowers should be duly offered according to the scriptural ordinances.
गन्धेन देवास्तुष्यन्ति दर्शनाद् यक्षराक्षसाः। नागाः समुपभोगेन त्रिभिरेतैस्तु मानुषाः॥
The celestials become pleased with the scent of flowers; the Yakshas and Rakshasas with their sight; the Nagas with their touch; and human beings with all three, viz., scent, sight, and touch.
सद्यः प्रीणाति देवान् वै ते प्रीता भावयन्त्युत। संकल्पसिद्धा मानामीप्सितैश्च मनोरमैः॥
Flowers, when offered to the celestials please them immediately. They are capable of accomplishing every object by merely wishing its accomplishment. As such, when pleased with devotees offering them flowers, they cause all the objects cherished by their worshippers to be immediately achieved.
प्रीताः प्रीणन्ति सततं मानिता मानयन्ति च। अवज्ञातावधूताश्च निर्दहन्त्यधमान् नरान्॥
Pleased, they gratify their worshippers. Honoured they make their worshippers enjoy all honors. Disregarded and insulted, they make those vilest of men to be ruined and consumed.
अत उर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि धूपदानविधेः फलम्। धूपांश्च विविधान् साधूनसाधूंश्च निबोध मे॥
I shall, after this, speak to you of the merits of the ordinances about the gift of incense. Know, O king of Asuras, that incenses are of various sorts. Some of them are auspicious and some inauspicious.
निर्यासा: सारिणश्चैव कृत्रिमाश्चैव ते त्रयः। इष्टोऽनिष्टो भवेद् गन्धस्तन्मे विस्तरशः शृणु॥
Some incenses consists of exudations. Some are made of fragrant wood set on fire. And some are artificial, being made by the hand, of various articles mixed together. Their scent is of two sorts, viz., agreeable and disagreeable. Listen to me as I describe the subject fully.
निर्यासाः सल्लकीवा देवानां दयिताऽस्तु ते। गुग्गुलुः प्रवरस्तेषां सर्वेषामिति निश्चयः॥
All exudations except that of the Boswellia serrata are agreeable to the celestials. It is, however, certain that the best of all cxudations is that of the Balsamodendron Mukul.
अगुरुः सारिणां श्रेष्ठो यक्षराक्षसभोगिनाम्। दैत्यानां सल्लकीयश्च काङ्गतो यश्च तद्विधः॥
Of all Dhupas of the Sari class, the Aquilaria Agallocha is the best. It is very acceptable to the Yakshas, the Rakshasas, and Nagas. The exudation of the Boswellia serratta, and others of the same class, are much acceptable to the Daityas.
अथ सर्जरसादीनां गन्धैः पार्थिव दारवैः। फाणितासवसंयुक्तर्मनुष्याणां विधीयते॥
Dhupas made of the exudation of the Shorea robusta and the Pinus deodara, mixed with various spirits of strong scent, are, O king, acceptable to human beings.
देवदानवभूतानां सद्यस्तुष्टिकरः स्मृतः। येऽन्ये वैहारिकास्तत्र मानुषाणामिति स्मृताः॥
Such Dhupas are said to immediately please the celestials, the Danavas, and spirits. Besides these, there are many other kinds of Dhupas used by men for purposes of pleasure or enjoyment.
य एवोक्ताः सुमनसां प्रदाने गुणहेतवः। धूपेष्वपि परिज्ञेयास्त एव प्रीतिवर्धनाः॥
The offer of flowers and the gift of such Dhupas as yield gratification are equal in merits.
दीपदाने प्रवक्ष्यामि फलयोगमनुत्तमम्। यथा येन यदा चैव प्रदेया यादृशाश्च ते॥
I shall now speak of the merits of the gift of Jights, and who may give them at what time and in what manner, and what should be the kind of lights that should be offered.
ज्योतिस्तेजः प्रकाशं वाप्यूर्ध्वगं चापि वर्ण्यते। प्रदानं तेजसां तस्मात् तेजो वर्धयते नृणाम्॥
Light is said to be energy and fame and goes upwards. Hence the gift of light, which is energy, increases the energy of men.
अन्धन्तमस्तमिस्रं च दक्षिणायनमेव च। उत्तरायणमेतस्माज्ज्योतिर्दानं प्रशस्यते॥
There is a hell named Andhatamas. The period also of the Sun's southward course is considered as dark. For avoiding that hell and the darkness of this period, one should give lights during that period when the Sun is in northern solstice. Such an act is highly spoken of by the good.
यस्मादूर्ध्वगमेतत् तु तमसश्चैव भेषजम्। तस्मादूर्ध्वगतेर्दाता भवेदत्रेति निश्चयः॥
Since, again, light has an upward course and is considered as a remedy for darkness, therefore one should give lights. This is the conclusion of the scriptures.
देवास्तेजस्विनो ह्यस्मात् प्रभावन्तः प्रकाशकाः। तामसा राक्षसाश्चैव तस्माद् दीपः प्रदीयते॥
It is by giving lights that the celestials have become gifted with beauty, energy, and resplendence. By abstention from such a deed, the Rakshasas have become gifted with the opposite attributes. Hence, one should always give lights.
आलोकदानाच्चक्षुष्मान् प्रभायुक्तो भवेन्नरः। तान् दत्त्वा नोपहिंसेत न हरेनोपनाशयेत्॥
By giving lights a man becomes gifted with keen vision and resplendence. Onc who gives lights should not be looked with jealousy by others. Lights, again, should not be stolen, nor put out when given by others.
दीपहर्ता भवेदधस्तमोगतिरसुप्रभः। दीपप्रदः स्वर्गलोके दीपमालेव राजते॥
One who steals a light becomes blind. Such a man has to grope through darkness and becomes shorn of resplendence. One who gives lights shines in beauty in the celestial regions like a row of lights,
हविषा प्रथमः कल्पो द्वितीयश्चौषधीरसैः। वसामेदोऽस्थिनिर्यासैन कार्वः युष्टिमिच्छता॥
Among lights, the best are those in which clarified butter is burnt. Next in order are those in which the juice of deciduous herbs is burnt. One seeking prosperity and growth should never burn fat or marrow or the juice that comes from the bones of creatures.
गिरिप्रपाते गहने चैत्यस्थाने चतुष्पथे। दीपदानं भवेन्नित्यं य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मनः॥
The who desires his aggrandisement and prosperity should always give lights at descents from mountains, in roads through forests and inaccessible regions, under sacred tress standing in the midst of human dwellings, and in crossings of streets.
कुलोद्योतो विशुद्धात्मा प्रकाशत्वं च गच्छति। ज्योतिषां चैव सालोक्यं दीपदाता नरः सदा॥
The man who gives lights always illumines his race, acquires purity of soul and effulgence of form. Indeed, such a man, after death, lives in the company of the luminous bodies in the sky.
बलिकर्मसु वक्ष्यामि गुणान् कर्मफलोदयान्। देवयक्षोरगनृणां भूतानामथ रक्षसाम्॥
I shall now describe to you the merits, with the fruits they bring about, of Bali offerings man own made to the celestials, the Yakshas, the Uragas, human beings, spirits and Rakshasas.
येषां नाग्रभुजो विप्रा देवतातिथिबालकाः। राक्षसानेव तान् विद्धि निर्विशङ्कानमगलान्॥
Those unscrupulous and wicked men who eat without First serving Brahmanas and celestials and guests and children, should be known as Rakshasas,
तस्मादग्रं प्रयच्छेत देवेभ्यः प्रतिपूजितम्। शिरसा प्रयतश्चापि हरेद् बलिमतन्द्रितः॥
Hence, one should first offer the food one has got ready to the celestials after having adored them duly with controlled senses and rapt attention. One should offer the Bali to the celestials, bending his head in respect.
गृह्णन्ति देवता नित्यमाशंसन्ति सदा गृहान्। बाह्याश्चागन्तवो येऽन्ये यक्षराक्षसपन्नगा:॥
The celestials are always supported by food that householders offer. They bless such houses in which offerings are made to them. The Yakshas and Rakshasas and Pannagas, as also guests and all houseless persons, are supported by the food offered by householders.
इतो दत्तेन जीवन्ति देवताः पितरस्तथा। ते प्रीताः प्रीणयन्तेनमायुषा यशसा धनैः॥
Indeed, the celestials and the departed, Manes derive their sustenance from such offerings. Pleased with such offerings they please the offerer in return with longevity and fame and riches.
बलयः सह पुष्पैस्तु देवानामुपहारयेत्। दधिदुग्धमयाः पुण्याः सुगन्धाः प्रियदर्शनाः॥
Clean food, of sweet scent and look, mixed with milk and curds, should, along with flowers, be offered to the celestials.
कार्या रुधिरमासांढ्या बलयो यक्षरक्षसाम्। सुरासवपुरस्कारा लाजोल्लापिकभूषिताः॥
The Balis that should be offered to Yakshas and Rakshasas should be rich with blood and meat, with wines and spirits accompanying, and adorned with friend paddy.
नागानां दयिता नित्यं पद्मोत्पलविमिश्रिताः। तिलान् गुडसुसम्पन्नान् भूतानामुपहारयेत्॥
Balis mixed with lotuses and Utpalas are very acceptable to the Nagas. Sesame seeds, boiled in raw sugar, should he offered to the spirits and other unearthly Beings.
अग्रदाताग्रभोगी स्याद् बलवीर्यसमन्वितः। तस्मादग्रं प्रयच्छेत देवेभ्यः प्रतिपूजितम्॥
He who never takes any food without first giving a part of it to the Brahmanas and celestials and guests, becomes entitled to first portions of food. Such a man becomes gifted with strength and energy. Hence one should never take any food without first offering a portion thereof to the celestial after adoring them with respect.
ज्वलन्त्यहरहो वेश्म याचास्य गृहदेवताः। ताः पूज्या भूतिकामेन प्रसृताग्रप्रदायिना॥
One's house always shines in beauty on account of the household deities that live in it. Hence, he who desires his own advancement and prosperity should adore the household gods by offering them the first portion of every food.
इत्येतदसुरेन्द्राय काव्यः प्रोवाच भार्गवः। सुवर्णाय मनुः प्राह सुवर्णो नारदाय च॥
Thus did the learned Kavi oi Bhrigu's race discourse to Bali the chief of the Asuras. That discourse was next recited by Manu to the Rishi Suvarna. Suvarna, in his turn, recited it to Narada.
नारदोऽपि मयि प्राह गुणानेतान् महाद्युते। त्वमप्येतद् विदित्वेह सर्वमाचर पुत्रक॥
The celestial Rishi Narada recited to me merits of the several acts mentioned. Informed of those merits, do you, O son, perform the several acts mentioned.