The Importance of Offering a Lamp to Vishnu

Shaunaka said:

1. O Suta, tell me the significance of (the month of) Kartika. (Tell me) what the fruit of that vow is, and what the blemish of one who does not do it, is. Suta said:

2. On a former occasion, O best of sages, Jaimini asked (about) this to Vyasa, Satyavati's son. (Then) the sage (Vyasa) commenced this narration: Vyasa said:

3-15. He who would give up Sheshamum-oil and copulation in the auspicious (month of) Kartika, becomes free from sins committed during many (previous) existences and goes to Vishnu's abode. He, a fool, who does not give up (eating) fish and copulation in Kartika, would certainly be (born as) a pig in every (subsequent) existence. A man who would worship Vishnu with the tulasl-leaves in Kartika, obtains the fruit (of the performance) of a horse sacrifice for every leaf (that is offered to Vishnu). He who would worship Vishnu in Kartika with the flowers of the muni-tree, obtains through Vishnu's grace salvation difficult to be obtained (even) by gods. The best man who eats the muni-vegetable in Kartika, has all the sin committed during the year destroyed by (just) one vegetable (viz. muni). He who after offering to Vishnu eats the fruit of that (tree) in the month of Kartika dear to Vishnu, (has all) his sin (committed) during crores of existences (destroyed). He who gives (an article of food), which is tasty and with ghee, to Vishnu, is freed from all sins and would go to Vishnu's abode. A man, who offers even one lotus to Vishnu in Kartika, in the end goes, free from all (his) sins, to Vishnu's position. He who would (everyday) bathe in the morning in (the month of) Kartika dear to Vishnu, would obtain the fruit which (he would get) on bathing at all the sacred places. That brahmana, who would offer a lamp into water in Kartika, is free from sins like the murder of a brahmana, and would go to the abode of Vishnu. O best brahmana, he who would offer a lamp even for a short time in Kartika to please Vishnu, has Vishnu always pleased with him. Everyday the brahmana who would offer a lamp with ghee to Vishnu in his (own) house in Kartika, obtains the fruit of a horse sacrifice. I (shall) tell you the special significance (of the offering) of a lamp. O best of brahmanas, being attentive, listen to it (as I tell it) with its tradition.

16-26a. Formerly, in Tretayuga there was a pure brahmana Vaikuntha byname. A sinner got (himself) liberated by virtue of his company. Once that best brahmana, having offered a lamp with ghee before Vishnu in Kartika, went home. A rat came there to eat that ghee. When he started eating it from the lamp, the lamp burnt more brightly. The rat too, out of fear of the fire speedidy ran (away); and all the sin of the rat perished due to the grace of Vishnu. The rat was bitten by a serpent, and it died. Then, by Yama's order (his) messengers with nooses and hammers in their hands came (there) to take him (to Yama's abode), and tied him with leather-bands. When they made up their mind to take (him to Yama's abode), Vishnu's messengers having four hands (each) holding conches, discs and maces and mounted upon Garuda came (there). (There was) in the sky an aeroplane also. It was auspicious, and royal swans were yoked to it. It was made of pure gold and through Vishnu's grace it moved according to the wish (of the occupant). Having cut off the nooses (with which the rat was tied), the messengers spoke to Yama's servants: 'O fools, this is Vishnu's devotee. In vain you had tied him. O servants of Yama, go (back) if you desire to live." Having heard (these words) they trembled and asked with politeness: " Please tell us, due to what power of his merit you are taking this great sinner to the city of Vishnu".

Vishnu's messengers said:

26b-34a. The rat revived the lamp in front of Vishnu. Due to that act, 0 messengers (of Yama), we are taking it to Vishnu's abode. He who even without desiring (to do so), revives the lamp of (i.e. offered to) Vishnu, abandons his sin earned in crores of (previous) existences, and goes to Vishnu's abode. Nobody except Vishnu is able to describe the merit of him who would devoutly offer on days of (i.e. auspicious to) Vishnu, a lamp (to Vishnu). What is the use of performing a thousand horse sacrifices for him who would offer in his house a lamp full of ghee to Vishnu? (As he) who performs the horse sacrifice on a day of (i.e. sacred to) Vishnu goes to heaven, so also, he who offers a lamp (to Vishnu) in Kartika, would go to Vishnu's abode. Vyasa said: Hearing this, (Yama's) messengers went as they had come; (and) Vishnu's messengers, having put it in a chariot went to Vishnu's abode. He passed a hundred ages of Manu in Vishnu's proximity only. Then, through Vishnu's grace he was (born) as a princess in the mortal world; and with her sons and grandsons she enjoyed pleasures for a long time. From here (i.e. the mortal world) she again went to the world of cows due to her service to Vishnu. Suta said:

34b-35. A man who devoutly listens to this excellent importance of the lamp, is freed from all sins and goes to Vishnu's abode.

 

CHAPTER FOUR

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