hupas made of the
exudation of the Shorea robusta and the Pinus deodara, mixed with various
spirits of strong scent, are, O king, ordained for human beings. Such
Dhupas are said to immediately gratify the deities, the Danavas, and
spirits. Besides these, there are many other kinds of Dhupas used by men
of purposes of pleasure or enjoyment. All the merits that have been
spoken of as attaching to the offer of flowers should be known equally to
attach to the gift of such Dhupas as are productive of gratification. I
shall now speak 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[441]. 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.[442] 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 not 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 is burnt. Next in order are
those in which the juice of (the fruits yielded by) deciduous herbs is
burnt. One desirous of advancement and growth should never burn (for
light) fat or marrow or the juice that flows from the bones of
creatures.[443] 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 stan