The Greatness of the Vow of Lamp

Narada said:

1-2. О Shiva, tell me the importance of the vow, the best among all vows, the excellent rite of the lamp called Samvatsara, by (doing) which all other vows are undoubtedly practised, all desires are satisfied and all sin would perish.

Mahadeva said:

3-8a. О divine sage, J shall tell you the secret which des­troys sins, and listening to which he who has killed a brahmana, or a cow or a friend, (so also) he who has molested his pre­ceptor’s wife, who has been a traitor, who has been cruel, obtains eternal salvation, and having emancipated a hundred families goes to Vishnu’s world. I shall (now) tell (you) that excellent vow of the lamp lasting for a year, so also the mode of practising it and its greatness. On the auspicious eleventh day of the first month of Margasirsa, a man, free from anger and having res­trained himself, should, after having got up in the early part of the day, bathe at the holy places on the confluence of rivers or in tanks and rivers or in his (own) house.

8b-10. (He should then recite this hymn: ) ‘I have taken bath at all the sacred places. Always give me that bath (only).’ This is the hymn to be recited at the time of bathing. He, having grati­fied gods and men, having muttered (the hymns) and with his senses controlled, should worship the lord, the god Lakshminarayapa. Having bathed (the image of the deity) with pancamrta and then with sandal and water (he should say): ‘God of gods, О lord of the world, you have bathed with Lakshmi. Emancipate me, О chief of gods, from this fearful bondage of the worldly existence.’

11-15. After that he should devoutly worship Vishnu with Lakshmi by means of Vaidika, so also Pauraijic hymns. (Then) with the words: ‘Therefore, О god, sandal etc. (is offered)’ or with the man-composed (hymn like) ‘Salutation to Matsya (i.e. the Fishincarnation), to god, to Kurmadeva (i.e. the the Tortoise-incar­nation), Varahadeva (i.e. the Boar-incarnation), to Narasimhadeva (i.e. to the Narasimha-incarnation), to Buddhadeva, so also salutation to Kalki’ he should worship (the lord). ‘Salutation to god Rama, to you god Vishnu; salutation to you the soul of all’, with this he should worship his head. There are (also other) names like Kesava etc. He may worship Vishnu with them. ‘O god of gods, this is the divine sap. It is fragrant and has perfume and is pure. This is incense. Salutation to you. Accept it’.

16-17. This is the hymn to be recited at the time of offering incense. ‘The lamp destroys darkness. The lamp gives lustre. Therefore, may Vishnu be pleased by this offering of the lamp.’ This is the hymn to be recited at the time of offering the lamp. ‘Ogod of gods, О lord of the world, this is an offering of eatables like food etc. Along with Lakshmi accept it which is the excellent and best nectar.’

18-19. This is the hymn to be recited at the time of offering eatables. Having thus meditated upon Vishiju, and having taken water with a fruit, his hand or a conch, he should then devoutly offer materials of worship. ‘May all that sin which I committed during a thousand existences, perish due to your favour, О Vishnu.’

20-24. This is the hymn to be recited at the time of offering materials of worship. Then in front of Lakshmiand Visshu he should take a newwhite pitcher full of ghee or oil. On it he should put a vessel made of copper or of clay. In that vessel he should offer a wick having nine threads. Having put the pitcher very steadily, he should light the lamp. Then being pure and having worship­ped the deity, he should resolve with (the recital of) this hymn in chambers having no breeze, О divine sage: ‘This Kama (i.e. Cupid) shines as the only emperor of what there was and what there will be. I have employed this lamp for a year. О Vishnu, may the unceasing sacred fire please you.’

25-28a. Then having curbed his senses and being intent on sacred knowledge, he should not talk to sinful and heretical persons. At night he should keep awake, should have songs and (should keep awake) with dancing, musical instruments etc., so also auspicious texts, various accounts and fasts. Then in the morning, after having performed the rites of the morning, he should devoutly feed brahmanas and worship them according to his capacity. Having himself broken the fast, he should salute them and dismiss them.

28b-31a. In this way (he should be) of a firm vow for day and night. The lamp should be of (the weight of) one pala of gold or half of it. The wick is said to be made of silver. It should be of the weight of two palas, or more than that by half a pala. A devout man, desiring the gate to salvation, should prepare the pitcher full of ghee and along with the copper vessel; so also he should fashion with gold (the image of) the deity LakshmiNarayaoa according to his capacity.

31b-36a. Then the wise one should invite best brahmaijas. The best alternative is (to invite) twelve (brahmaijas). As the middle alternative (he should invite) six (brahmanas). Or he should employ three or (even) one brahmana who would perform the rite (for him). Having honoured a brahmana with his wife, who is calm, who performs rites, who especially knows histori­cal accounts and Puranas, who is conversant with religion, and having worshipped devoutly Lakshmi-Narayaija as before with the lamp-wicks placed in the copper-vessel and with the pitcher full of ghee, he should give (these things) to a brahmaria after having meditated upon the highest Vishnu to the accompaniment of this hymn, О divine sage.

36b-39. I (shall) tell you the hymn: ‘О sinless one, I have offered this lamp, since it destroys sins in this mundane existence pervaded by the darkness of ignorance, since it gives knowledge and gives salvation.’ This is the hymn (to be recited at the time of offering) the lamp. Having given presents with devotion to the brahmana, he should then feed the brahmaiias with ghee, sweet­ened milk and sweetmeats. Then he should cover the brahmana with his wife with garments, and should give him a bed with furniture and a cow with a calf.

40-45. He should give them presents according to his wealth. Similarly he should honour his friends, kinsmen and relatives. Thus he should celebrate a great festival at the time of the end of the vow of the lamp. Then he should dismiss (the deity) and having saluted (it) he should apologise. Men, when they do thus, obtain that fruit — that religious merit — of the lamp maintained for a year which they would get by the Samkranti-rites. By means of observing the vow of the lamp maintained for a year men get the same religious merit as is obtained by monthly rites. When the lamp is maintained for a year, a man gets that fruit which he obtains by vows of giving gifts and vows of abstract meditation, according to their number.

46-47. A man who offers a lamp to the deity gets the same fruit which a learned man would obtain by means of gifts of cows, land, gold and especially of houses. The giver of a lamp gets brilliance; the giver of a lamp gets inexhaustible wealth; the giver of a lamp obtains knowledge; the giver of a lamp gets supreme happiness. There is no doubt that by offering a lamp a man secures good fortune, very pure knowledge, health and great prosperity.

48-49. A man who offers a lamp would obtain a lovely wife having all (auspicious) marks, sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and undying progeny. A brahmana (who offers a lamp) would obtain great knowledge, a ksatriya (who offers a lamp) would obtain excellent kingdom, a vaisya (offering a lamp would obtain) all (kinds of) wealth and beasts, and a shudra (offering a lamp would obtain) happiness.

50-55a. A maiden (offering a lamp) obtains a husband endowed with all (auspicious) marks, a long life, and many sons and grandsons. A young woman (offering a lamp) will never experience widowhood. She does not get (i.e. suffer from) separa­tion (from her husband) due to the prowess of the gift of a lamp. Maladies and diseases do not take place due to the gift of a lamp. A man who is frightened, becomes free from fear, and one that is bound gets freed from the bondage. There is no doubt that one devoted to the vow of (offering) a lamp is freed from the sins of (i.e. due to) the murder of a brahmana etc., for there is the statement of Brahma to this effect.

55b-61. He who has constantly kept burning a lamp before Vishnu, has undoubtedly practised the vows like Candrayana and Kfcchra. Those who having worshipped Vishnu, maintained the lamp for a year, are blessed, are magnanimous, and have obtained the fruit of their existence. Those also who see the wick of the lamp here, go to the highest place, difficult to be obtained even by gods; and those who put, according to their capacity, oil and wick into the lamp, go to the highest position. Those also who are unable to light the lamp that is going out, and inform others, enjoy the same fruit. He too who begging Jittle oil only for (maintaining) the lamp, keeps the lamp for Vishnu, also obtains religious merit. (Even) a mean man who sees the lamp being lighted, and has the palms of his hands joined (in honour) of Vishnu, would obtain (i.e. go to) Vishnu’s world.

62-63. He who would give an idea (to others) to light a lamp (in honour of Vishnu), (or) he who himself would do so, is free from all sins, and would obtain (i.e. go to) Vishnu’s world. In this case also they narrate an ancient account, merely by hearing which a man is free from all sins.

64-72. On the charming bank of Sarasvati there was (a hermitage) known as Siddhashrama. Formerly a brahmana named Kapila, a knower of the Vedas, lived there. He was engrossed in (the practice of) vows and fasts. He was poor and was learned. He maintained his family by begging. He propitiated Vishnu by means of vows, fasts and restraints. Having duly worshipped Vishnu, he always lighted the lamp. Having taken oil, having worshipped Vishnu in his own house, he would light the lamp with great devotion for pleasing Vishnu. When (that) magnani­mous Kapila was getting along like this, a cat with sharp teeth would always eat mice. He (i.e. the cat) came there day and night to eat mice. He always remained meditating for getting a prey in front of (the image of) Vishnu. He ate many mice in the house of the brahmana. Intent upon meditation, he would eat those mice that came there to (drink) the oil and to take away the wick. When this was going on like this, after some time had elapsed, that pure brahmana Kapila along with his wife fasted and worshipped Vishnu in his house on an Ekadashi (day).

73-81. Engaged in praising (Visrm) and dancing (in front of his image) he kept awake. When it was midnight, the brahmana was overcome with sleep. The cat having sharp teeth and going quickly came there; and always remaining in a corner of the house he ate up the eatables offered to the deity. He saw a small female mouse that had come there to drink the oil, and that was used to take away the wick in the dim light. He jumped and attacked her with his foot. Then she entered a hole. Due to (the contact with) her foot the lamp became very bright. The oil-pot was bent and there was good light. The brahmana too abandoning his stupefying sleep got up. The cat that ate mice, also kept awake during that night. Then when it had dawned, the brahmana, having performed his daily rites, broke the fast along with his relatives. That magnanimous Kapila who was going along like this had sons and grandsons. He obtained wealth, grains, excellent health, great prosperity and abundant riches. Having broken through the auspicious orb of the sun, so also of the moon, Kapila came to (secure) salvation through the prowess of the vow of the lamp.

82-84. He got joined (i.e. he merged) in the form of a lustre into the highest soul. The female mouse also died in the hole in (course of) time. Getting into an excellent aeroplane, she went to the world of Vishnu. The cat too died after (some) time and went to heaven. Having got into an excellent aeroplane waited upon and surrounded by celestial nymphs, accompanied by hosts of vidyadharas, being praised with auspicious cries of victory by serpents he went to the world of Vishnu.

85-91a. Having enjoyed many pleasures for thousands of crores of kalpas and hundreds of crores of kalpas he became a king on the earth by name Sudharman who was religious-mind­ed, who worshipped gods and brahmanas, who was handsome, who was fortunate and who was very mighty and brave. His wife, most dear to him, was endowed with all (auspicious) marks, was devoted to her husband, and was of a good character. Her name was Rupasundari. She was the most beautiful among all ladies. Many sons and many daughters were born (to them). When the couple was thus enjoying (in each other’s company) with love, the month of Kartika opening Vishnu’s eyes (i.e. making him awake) arrived. During that (month) lamps are lighted by those who are devoted to Vishnu. So also those devotees of Vishnu who are afraid of the worldly existence practise vows like Kfcchra and Candrayana and restraints.

91b-94. When the Prabodhini (Ekadashi) arrived, the king said to the queen: “O good one, in the lotus from the navel of Vishnu it is the auspicious Prabodhini. With my senses control­led through fast, I shall today worship (Vishnu). Having bathed in the holy place of Pushkara, I shall worship the imperishable lord of gods having lotus-like eyes, along with Lakshmi.” Having heard these desired words, she who was engaged in the well­being of her husband and who smiled charmingly, said (these) secret words to her husband:

Rupasundari said:

95-100a. О king, desire is also produced in my heart. I too have a desire for form and beauty. I desire to go with you to the best sacred place, Puskara.

Then the king, along with her, and with groups of elephants, horses and chariots and with family-priests came to Pushkara. Then having bathed (there) he, meditating (on Vishnu) and gratifying manes and deities, worshipped the imperishable lord of gods, the lotus-eyed (Vishnu). There, in the very charming temple, full of rows of lights everywhere, he saw the cat drawn (in a picture). Seeing that, the king remembering his former deeds and existence, looked at the lotus-like face of his beloved, and smiled.

Rupasundari said:

100b-101a. О lord, why did you smile after looking at my face?

Seeing the fruit of his former deed, he said (to her):

The king said:

101b-103. О queen, formerly (i.e. in the previous existence) I was a cat in the house of a brahmana. There I ate hundreds and thousands of mice. Since, even under a pretext, I guarded the lamp in front of Vishnu, I got, О Queen, fruit of that deed. Having reached Vishnu’s world, I have now obtained the king­dom.

Rupasundari said:

104-108. I too had the recollection of my former deeds and existence. I too was a small female mouse in the house of the brahmana. On the PrabodhinI (Ekadashl) in Kartika, when the light had become dim, I went out of the hole to snatch the wick. Seeing (the image of) the god Vishshu worshipped with flowers, and the brahmana overcome with sleep, I then dragged the wick. When you, taking an opportunity to seize, me, got up, I saw you and ran into the hole. With the foot of me who was entering (the hole) the wick of the lamp spread out, the oil-pot also bent down and I was happy.

109-115. О lord of great kings, since I brightened the lamp at that time, I have now secured excellent beauty; you are my husband, (I have obtained) kingdom, sons and (great) happiness like that. Due to my brightening the lamp I secured knowledge which is extremely difficult to obtain. Therefore, with all efforts and with great devotion, we have especially practised the vow of the lamp. So we have received the fruit of the deed, viz. the riches like the kingdom etc. We remembered our former existence and so also all our sins have perished. Therefore, men have practised with all efforts and proper rites and hymns the vow of the lamp which is auspicious and resembles the Sun, the Moon and stars.

Hearing this, О divine sage, the king full of faith properly practised the vow of the lamp with his wife. Having practised the vow of the lamp at the holy palce of Puskara, the two obtained the great salvation difficult to be obtained by gods and demons.

116-120. Those men who on the earth listen to this great­ness (of the vow) of the lamp, are free from all sins, and go to Vishnu’s abode. And those men or those women who being intent upon it, devoutly practise it are all free from sins and go to ancient Brahman. О learned one, I have told you about this vow of the lamp which gives salvation, which gives all happiness, which is virtuous, and which is a great vow. Diseases of the eye, so also maladies and (other) diseases of the body perish in a moment, when it is practised. О brahmana, there is no poverty, no grief, no delusion, no illusion. Prosperity comes to the house in every existence.

 

CHAPTER THIRTYONE

The Vow of Janmasfami

Narada Said:

1. О god of gods, О lord of the world, О you who grant fearlessness to your devotees, having favoured me tell me about the vow (of JanmastamI), О Mahadeva.

Shri Mahadeva said:

2-12a. Formerly there was king Hariscandra who was a sove­reign emperor. Brahma pleased with him gave him an auspicious city which satisfied all desires, which was full of all gems, which was divine and lustrous like the young sun. Having stayed in it, the king righteously protected the earth with seven islands, as a father protects his legitimate son. The king having great wealth and corn, and having sons and daughters, and being very proud protected that auspicious kingdom. Nobody before (him) had such a kingdom anywhere (in the world). No other men also ever got into such an aeroplane (as he did). ‘Of which act (of mine) is this the fruit that I am (enjoying) like the lord of gods? ’ Being engrossed in thinking like this, the excellent king seated in an excellent aeroplane saw the Meru, the best of mountains. The magnanimous one, as it were the other sun, was there. The king, having seen on the excellent mountain, on the golden strip of the mountain, Sanatkumara, the brahmaiiic sage, exclusively devoted to abstract meditation, got down with a desire to ask him about the wonder. Being delighted, he saluted his feet. He too greeted him. The king, who was seated comfortably, asked the best sage: “O lord, the wealth like the one that I possess, is difficult to obtain in the world. Due to which deed would it be obtained? Who was I in the former existence? If I deserve favour from you then tell me the truth.”

Sanatkumara said:

12b-20. О king, listen. I shall tell you the cause of your former behaviour, having practised which you were specially favoured. In your previous existence you were a good, pure vaisya who spoke the truth. You gave up your duty; therefore you were abandoned by your kinsmen. That you (i.e. you reduced to that condition), weak (i.e. unable) to maintain yourself, abandoned your relatives and went out, followed by your wife, to serve someone. But at that time (every man) was oppressed by famine, (so) nobody gave you a job. Then in a forest you saw a lake with the lotuses blooming. Then you had a thought: ‘Let us take the lotuses.’ Saying so, and taking them at every step they resorted to in the auspicious, meritorious city named Varanasi. Then nobody purchased the lotuses. Somebody went out from the temple and stood in the courtyard. Entering that place he heard the sound of musical instruments. ‘In which place (i.e. from which place) is the sound of the musical instruments being heard? ’ When he asked like this and was told that it was the sound from a musical instrument, he went ahead a (little) distance. There was king Indradyumna, the well-known king of Kasi.

21-30. His well-known daughter was Candravati by name, who was virtuous. The noble one had fasted on the auspicious day — the eighth day (of the month) — the day of the birth anniversary (of Krishna). That vaisya came there where she, the one, remained. His mind was pleased, and great joy came there. At that place you saw the sacred rite in honour of the deity, where lord Vishnu is worshipped along with the Sun. You and your wife worshipped him devoutly with flowers. The other made a heap of flowers there. Seeing that she, who was amazed, said: “Oh, who has made this worship? ” Knowing all her act you also had protected all that. Then, she, being pleased, gave you much wealth. You did not accept the wealth. You were invited to a meal. You did not take the wealth or the meal at that time. The Sun, along with Vishnu, was duly worshipped. Then in the morning, you, always being looked after by her, having produced familiarity with them all, went out as you liked. This (then) is the good deed done by you in the previous existence. Accord­ing to (the fruit of) your deeds, you died. Due to that great religious merit, an aeroplane came at that time. О king, you are enjoying the fruit of the deed which you did in the former existence.

Hariscandra said:

31. If I deserve to be favoured by you then tell me in what manner and in which month that day (of Astami) is to be cele­brated.

Sanatkumara said:

32-40. Listen attentively, О king, to what is being told to you by me. If in the month of Sravana on the eighth of the dark half RohinI is seen (in the sky) then that day is named Jayanti (day). О great king, it would be the cause for existence again and again. I shall narrate to you the manner of (observing) it as I was told by Brahma, doing (i.e. observing) which a man being free from sins, goes to Vishnu’s world. Then having fasted and then bathed with (water) with black Sheshamum-seeds, he should instal a scratchless pitcher with five jewels. Katyayana said that these five jewels, viz. diamonds, pearls, lapis lazuli, topaz and sapphires are recommended. On it he should place a golden pot with (auspicious) marks. In it he should place the golden (image of) Yasoda, Nanda’s wife, giving a suck to her son and with a smile on her face. As his capacity is (i.e. permits), he should get fashioned a golden (image of the) god, sucking one breast of the mother, and touching the other with his hand, and looking at the mother with love and pleasing her again and again. If he has the capacity he should have the image (weigh­ing) just two niskas, or of iron (weighing) three (niskas) or of gold also.

41-45. In the same way, he should fashion a golden (image of) RohinI and a silver one of the Moon. The (image of the) Moon should be of the size of a thumb only, and (that of) Rohifli (should be of the size of) four fingers. He should place ear-rings on the ears and a neck ornament round the neck (of the image). Having done so, he should bathe (the image of) Vishnu (i.e. Krsfla) along with (that of) his mother with milk etc. and smear them with sandal. He should cover (the image) with a white garment, and decorate it with garlands of flowers. Along with offerings of eatables and various varieties of fruits, he should put a lamp there decorated with an arbour of flowers. The devoted one should make the wise ones sing, dance and play on musical instruments. Having done the rite according to his wealth, he should worship his teacher and should then bring the worship to an end.

 

CHAPTER THIRTYTWO

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