Mahabharata — Volume IX (Dutt edition) — Chapter 98
MBh 9 98.1
युधिष्ठिर उवाच आलोकदानं नामैतत् कीदृशं भरतर्षभ। कथमेतत् समुत्पन्नं फलं वा तद् ब्रवीहि मे।॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca ālokadānaṃ nāmaitat kīdṛśaṃ bharatarṣabha| kathametat samutpannaṃ phalaṃ vā tad bravīhi me|||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.2
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। मनोः प्रजापतेर्वादं सुवर्णस्य च भारत॥
bhīṣma uvāca atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam| manoḥ prajāpatervādaṃ suvarṇasya ca bhārata||
Bhishma said Regarding it, O Bharata, is recited the old discourse between Manu, that lord of creatures, and Suvarna,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.3
तपस्वी कश्चिदभवत् सुवर्णो नाम भारत। वर्णतो हेमवर्णः स सुवर्ण इति पप्रथे॥
tapasvī kaścidabhavat suvarṇo nāma bhārata| varṇato hemavarṇaḥ sa suvarṇa iti paprathe||
These was formerly an ascetic, O Bharata named Suvarna. His complexion was like that of gold and hence he was called Suvarna.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.4
कुलशीलगुणोपेतः स्वाध्याये च परंगतः। बहून् सुवंशप्रभवान् समतीतः स्वकैर्गुणैः॥
kulaśīlaguṇopetaḥ svādhyāye ca paraṃgataḥ| bahūn suvaṃśaprabhavān samatītaḥ svakairguṇaiḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.5
स कदाचिन्मनुं विप्रो ददर्शोपससर्प च। कुशलप्रश्नमन्योन्यं तौ चोभौ तत्र चक्रतुः॥
sa kadācinmanuṃ vipro dadarśopasasarpa ca| kuśalapraśnamanyonyaṃ tau cobhau tatra cakratuḥ||
One day that learned Brahmana beheld Manu, the lord of all creatures, and approached him. Meeting each other, they made the usual polite enquires.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.6
ततस्तौ सत्यसंकल्पौ मेरौ काञ्चनपर्वते। रमणीये शिलापृष्ठे सहितौ संन्यषीदताम्॥
tatastau satyasaṃkalpau merau kāñcanaparvate| ramaṇīye śilāpṛṣṭhe sahitau saṃnyaṣīdatām||
Both of them were in the truth. Having met each other, they sat down on charming breast of the golden mount Meru.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.7
तत्र तौ कथयन्तौ स्तां कथा नानाविधाश्रयाः। ब्रह्मर्षिदेवदैत्यानां पुराणानां महात्मनाम्॥
tatra tau kathayantau stāṃ kathā nānāvidhāśrayāḥ| brahmarṣidevadaityānāṃ purāṇānāṃ mahātmanām||
Seated there they began to talk with each other on various subjects about the great deities and twiceborn Rishis and Daityas of ancient times.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.8
सुवर्णस्त्वब्रवीद् वाक्यं मनुं स्वायम्भुवं प्रति। हितार्थं सर्वभूतानां प्रश्न मे वक्तुमर्हसि॥
suvarṇastvabravīd vākyaṃ manuṃ svāyambhuvaṃ prati| hitārthaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ praśna me vaktumarhasi||
Then Suvarna addressing the Selfcreate Manu, said these words:You should answer one question of mine for the behoof of all creatures.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.9
सुमनोभिर्यदिज्यन्ते दैवतानि प्रजेश्वर। किमेतत् कथमुत्पन्नं फलं योगे च शंस मे॥
sumanobhiryadijyante daivatāni prajeśvara| kimetat kathamutpannaṃ phalaṃ yoge ca śaṃsa me||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.10
मनुरुवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। शुक्रस्य च बलेश्चैव संवादं वै महात्मनोः॥
manuruvāca atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam| śukrasya ca baleścaiva saṃvādaṃ vai mahātmanoḥ||
Manu said Regarding it is recited the oid discourse between Shukra and the great (Daitya) Bali.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.11
बलेवैरोचनस्येह त्रैलोक्यमनुशासतः। समीपमाजगामाशु शुक्रो भृगुकुलोद्वहः॥
balevairocanasyeha trailokyamanuśāsataḥ| samīpamājagāmāśu śukro bhṛgukulodvahaḥ||
Once on a time, Shukra of Bhrigu's race approached Bali the son of Virochana while he was ruling the three worlds.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.12
तमादिभिरभ्यर्च्य भार्गवं सोऽसुराधिपः। निषसादासने पश्चाद् विधिवद् भूरिदक्षिणः॥
tamādibhirabhyarcya bhārgavaṃ so'surādhipaḥ| niṣasādāsane paścād vidhivad bhūridakṣiṇaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.13
कथेयमभवत् तत्र त्वया या परिकीर्तिता। सुमनोधूपदीपानां सम्प्रदाने फलं प्रति॥ ततः पप्रच्छ दैत्येन्द्रः कवीन्द्रं प्रश्नमुत्तमम्॥
katheyamabhavat tatra tvayā yā parikīrtitā| sumanodhūpadīpānāṃ sampradāne phalaṃ prati|| tataḥ papraccha daityendraḥ kavīndraṃ praśnamuttamam||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.14
बलि उवाच सुमनोधूपदीपानां किं फलं ब्रह्मवित्तम। प्रदानस्य द्विजश्रेष्ठ तद् भवान् वक्तुमर्हति॥
bali uvāca sumanodhūpadīpānāṃ kiṃ phalaṃ brahmavittama| pradānasya dvijaśreṣṭha tad bhavān vaktumarhati||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.15
शुक्र उवाच तपः पूर्वं समुत्पन्नं धर्मस्तस्मादनन्तरम्। एतस्मिन्नन्तरे चैव वीरुदोषध्य एव च॥
śukra uvāca tapaḥ pūrvaṃ samutpannaṃ dharmastasmādanantaram| etasminnantare caiva vīrudoṣadhya eva ca||
Shukra said Penance first sprang into existence. Afterwards came religion. In the interval many creepers and herbs sprang up.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.16
सोमस्यात्मा च बहुधा सम्भूतः पृथिवीतले। अमृतं च विषं चैव ये चान्ये तृणजातयः॥
somasyātmā ca bahudhā sambhūtaḥ pṛthivītale| amṛtaṃ ca viṣaṃ caiva ye cānye tṛṇajātayaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.17
अमृतं मनसः प्रीतिं सद्यस्तृप्तिं ददाति च। मनो ग्लपयते तीव्र विषं गन्धेन सर्वशः॥
amṛtaṃ manasaḥ prītiṃ sadyastṛptiṃ dadāti ca| mano glapayate tīvra viṣaṃ gandhena sarvaśaḥ||
That is Ambrosia which gives immediate pleasure and joy to the mind. That is Poison which tortures the mind greatly by its smell.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.18
अमृतं मङ्गलं विद्धि महद्विषममङ्गलम्। ओषध्यो ह्रामृतं सर्वा विषं तेजोऽग्निसम्भवम्॥
amṛtaṃ maṅgalaṃ viddhi mahadviṣamamaṅgalam| oṣadhyo hrāmṛtaṃ sarvā viṣaṃ tejo'gnisambhavam||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.19
मनो ह्लादयते यस्माच्छ्रियं चापि दधाति च। तस्मात् सुमनसः प्रोक्ता नरैः सुकृतकर्मभिः॥
mano hlādayate yasmācchriyaṃ cāpi dadhāti ca| tasmāt sumanasaḥ proktā naraiḥ sukṛtakarmabhiḥ||
Flowers please the mind and confer prosperity. Hence of pious deeds bestowed the name Sumanas on thein.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.20
देवताभ्य: सुमनसो यो ददाति नरः शुचिः। तस्य तुष्यन्ति वै देवास्तुष्टाः पुष्टिं ददत्यपि॥
devatābhya: sumanaso yo dadāti naraḥ śuciḥ| tasya tuṣyanti vai devāstuṣṭāḥ puṣṭiṃ dadatyapi||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.21
यं यमुद्दिश्य दीयेरन् देवं सुमनसः प्रभो। मङ्गलार्थं स तेनास्य प्रीतो भवति दैत्यप॥
yaṃ yamuddiśya dīyeran devaṃ sumanasaḥ prabho| maṅgalārthaṃ sa tenāsya prīto bhavati daityapa||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.22
ज्ञेयास्तूग्राश्च सौम्याश्च तेजस्विन्यश्च ताः पृथक्। ओषध्यो बहुवीर्या हि बहुरूपास्तथैव च।॥
jñeyāstūgrāśca saumyāśca tejasvinyaśca tāḥ pṛthak| oṣadhyo bahuvīryā hi bahurūpāstathaiva ca|||
The (deciduous) herbs are of various kinds and possess different qualities. They should be classed as fierce, mild, and powerful.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.23
यज्ञियानां च वृक्षाणामयज्ञीयान् निबोध मे। आसुराणि च माल्यानि दैवतेभ्यो हितानि च॥
yajñiyānāṃ ca vṛkṣāṇāmayajñīyān nibodha me| āsurāṇi ca mālyāni daivatebhyo hitāni ca||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.24
रक्षसामुरगाणां च यक्षाणां च तथा प्रियाः। मनुष्याणां पितॄणां च कान्तायास्त्वनुपूर्वशः॥
rakṣasāmuragāṇāṃ ca yakṣāṇāṃ ca tathā priyāḥ| manuṣyāṇāṃ pitṝṇāṃ ca kāntāyāstvanupūrvaśaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.25
वन्या ग्राम्याश्चेह तथा कृष्टोप्ताः पर्वताश्रयाः। अकण्टकाः कण्टकिनो गन्धरूपरसान्विताः॥
vanyā grāmyāśceha tathā kṛṣṭoptāḥ parvatāśrayāḥ| akaṇṭakāḥ kaṇṭakino gandharūparasānvitāḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.26
द्विविधो हि स्मृतो गन्ध इष्टोऽनिष्टश्च पुष्पजः। इष्टगन्धानि देवानां पुष्पाणीति विभावय॥
dvividho hi smṛto gandha iṣṭo'niṣṭaśca puṣpajaḥ| iṣṭagandhāni devānāṃ puṣpāṇīti vibhāvaya||
The scent of flowers is of two kinds, agreeable and disagreeable. Those flowers which have sweet smell should be offered to the celestials.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.27
अकण्टकानां वृक्षाणां श्वेतप्रायाश्च वर्णतः। तेषां पुष्पाणि देवानामिष्टानि सततं प्रभो॥
akaṇṭakānāṃ vṛkṣāṇāṃ śvetaprāyāśca varṇataḥ| teṣāṃ puṣpāṇi devānāmiṣṭāni satataṃ prabho||
The flowers of trees which have no thorns are generally white in colour. Such flowers are always acceptable to the celestials, O lord.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.28
जलजानि च माल्यानि पद्मादीनि च यानि वै। गन्धर्वनागयक्षेभ्यस्तानि दद्याद् विचक्षणः॥
jalajāni ca mālyāni padmādīni ca yāni vai| gandharvanāgayakṣebhyastāni dadyād vicakṣaṇaḥ||
A wise man should offer garlands red of aquatic flowers, such as the lotus and the like, to the Gandharvas and Nagas and Yakshas.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.29
ओषध्यो रक्तपुष्पाश्च कटुकाः कण्टकान्विताः। शत्रूणामभिचारार्थमाथर्वेषु निदर्शिताः॥
oṣadhyo raktapuṣpāśca kaṭukāḥ kaṇṭakānvitāḥ| śatrūṇāmabhicārārthamātharveṣu nidarśitāḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.30
तीक्ष्णवीर्यास्तु भूतानां दुरालम्भाः सकण्टकाः। रक्तभूयिष्ठवर्णाश्च कृष्णाश्चैवोपहारयेत्॥
tīkṣṇavīryāstu bhūtānāṃ durālambhāḥ sakaṇṭakāḥ| raktabhūyiṣṭhavarṇāśca kṛṣṇāścaivopahārayet||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.31
मनोहृदयनन्दिन्यो विशेषमधुराश्च याः। चारुरूपाः सुमनसो मानुषाणां स्मृता विभो॥
manohṛdayanandinyo viśeṣamadhurāśca yāḥ| cārurūpāḥ sumanaso mānuṣāṇāṃ smṛtā vibho||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.32
न तु श्मशानसम्भूता देवतायतनोद्भवाः। संनयेत् पुष्टियुक्तेषु विवाहेषु रहःसु च॥
na tu śmaśānasambhūtā devatāyatanodbhavāḥ| saṃnayet puṣṭiyukteṣu vivāheṣu rahaḥsu ca||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.33
गिरिसानुरुहाः सौम्या देवानामुपपादयेत्। प्रोक्षिताऽभ्युक्षिताः सौम्या यथायोग्यं यथास्मृति।।३४
girisānuruhāḥ saumyā devānāmupapādayet| prokṣitā'bhyukṣitāḥ saumyā yathāyogyaṃ yathāsmṛti||34
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.34
गन्धेन देवास्तुष्यन्ति दर्शनाद् यक्षराक्षसाः। नागाः समुपभोगेन त्रिभिरेतैस्तु मानुषाः॥
gandhena devāstuṣyanti darśanād yakṣarākṣasāḥ| nāgāḥ samupabhogena tribhiretaistu mānuṣāḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.35
सद्यः प्रीणाति देवान् वै ते प्रीता भावयन्त्युत। संकल्पसिद्धा मानामीप्सितैश्च मनोरमैः॥
sadyaḥ prīṇāti devān vai te prītā bhāvayantyuta| saṃkalpasiddhā mānāmīpsitaiśca manoramaiḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.36
प्रीताः प्रीणन्ति सततं मानिता मानयन्ति च। अवज्ञातावधूताश्च निर्दहन्त्यधमान् नरान्॥
prītāḥ prīṇanti satataṃ mānitā mānayanti ca| avajñātāvadhūtāśca nirdahantyadhamān narān||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.37
अत उर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि धूपदानविधेः फलम्। धूपांश्च विविधान् साधूनसाधूंश्च निबोध मे॥
ata urdhvaṃ pravakṣyāmi dhūpadānavidheḥ phalam| dhūpāṃśca vividhān sādhūnasādhūṃśca nibodha me||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.38
निर्यासा: सारिणश्चैव कृत्रिमाश्चैव ते त्रयः। इष्टोऽनिष्टो भवेद् गन्धस्तन्मे विस्तरशः शृणु॥
niryāsā: sāriṇaścaiva kṛtrimāścaiva te trayaḥ| iṣṭo'niṣṭo bhaved gandhastanme vistaraśaḥ śṛṇu||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.39
निर्यासाः सल्लकीवा देवानां दयिताऽस्तु ते। गुग्गुलुः प्रवरस्तेषां सर्वेषामिति निश्चयः॥
niryāsāḥ sallakīvā devānāṃ dayitā'stu te| gugguluḥ pravarasteṣāṃ sarveṣāmiti niścayaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.40
अगुरुः सारिणां श्रेष्ठो यक्षराक्षसभोगिनाम्। दैत्यानां सल्लकीयश्च काङ्गतो यश्च तद्विधः॥
aguruḥ sāriṇāṃ śreṣṭho yakṣarākṣasabhoginām| daityānāṃ sallakīyaśca kāṅgato yaśca tadvidhaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.41
अथ सर्जरसादीनां गन्धैः पार्थिव दारवैः। फाणितासवसंयुक्तर्मनुष्याणां विधीयते॥
atha sarjarasādīnāṃ gandhaiḥ pārthiva dāravaiḥ| phāṇitāsavasaṃyuktarmanuṣyāṇāṃ vidhīyate||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.42
देवदानवभूतानां सद्यस्तुष्टिकरः स्मृतः। येऽन्ये वैहारिकास्तत्र मानुषाणामिति स्मृताः॥
devadānavabhūtānāṃ sadyastuṣṭikaraḥ smṛtaḥ| ye'nye vaihārikāstatra mānuṣāṇāmiti smṛtāḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.43
य एवोक्ताः सुमनसां प्रदाने गुणहेतवः। धूपेष्वपि परिज्ञेयास्त एव प्रीतिवर्धनाः॥
ya evoktāḥ sumanasāṃ pradāne guṇahetavaḥ| dhūpeṣvapi parijñeyāsta eva prītivardhanāḥ||
The offer of flowers and the gift of such Dhupas as yield gratification are equal in merits.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.44
दीपदाने प्रवक्ष्यामि फलयोगमनुत्तमम्। यथा येन यदा चैव प्रदेया यादृशाश्च ते॥
dīpadāne pravakṣyāmi phalayogamanuttamam| yathā yena yadā caiva pradeyā yādṛśāśca te||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.45
ज्योतिस्तेजः प्रकाशं वाप्यूर्ध्वगं चापि वर्ण्यते। प्रदानं तेजसां तस्मात् तेजो वर्धयते नृणाम्॥
jyotistejaḥ prakāśaṃ vāpyūrdhvagaṃ cāpi varṇyate| pradānaṃ tejasāṃ tasmāt tejo vardhayate nṛṇām||
Light is said to be energy and fame and goes upwards. Hence the gift of light, which is energy, increases the energy of men.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.46
अन्धन्तमस्तमिस्रं च दक्षिणायनमेव च। उत्तरायणमेतस्माज्ज्योतिर्दानं प्रशस्यते॥
andhantamastamisraṃ ca dakṣiṇāyanameva ca| uttarāyaṇametasmājjyotirdānaṃ praśasyate||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.47
यस्मादूर्ध्वगमेतत् तु तमसश्चैव भेषजम्। तस्मादूर्ध्वगतेर्दाता भवेदत्रेति निश्चयः॥
yasmādūrdhvagametat tu tamasaścaiva bheṣajam| tasmādūrdhvagaterdātā bhavedatreti niścayaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.48
देवास्तेजस्विनो ह्यस्मात् प्रभावन्तः प्रकाशकाः। तामसा राक्षसाश्चैव तस्माद् दीपः प्रदीयते॥
devāstejasvino hyasmāt prabhāvantaḥ prakāśakāḥ| tāmasā rākṣasāścaiva tasmād dīpaḥ pradīyate||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.49
आलोकदानाच्चक्षुष्मान् प्रभायुक्तो भवेन्नरः। तान् दत्त्वा नोपहिंसेत न हरेनोपनाशयेत्॥
ālokadānāccakṣuṣmān prabhāyukto bhavennaraḥ| tān dattvā nopahiṃseta na harenopanāśayet||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.50
दीपहर्ता भवेदधस्तमोगतिरसुप्रभः। दीपप्रदः स्वर्गलोके दीपमालेव राजते॥
dīpahartā bhavedadhastamogatirasuprabhaḥ| dīpapradaḥ svargaloke dīpamāleva rājate||
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,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.51
हविषा प्रथमः कल्पो द्वितीयश्चौषधीरसैः। वसामेदोऽस्थिनिर्यासैन कार्वः युष्टिमिच्छता॥
haviṣā prathamaḥ kalpo dvitīyaścauṣadhīrasaiḥ| vasāmedo'sthiniryāsaina kārvaḥ yuṣṭimicchatā||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.52
गिरिप्रपाते गहने चैत्यस्थाने चतुष्पथे। दीपदानं भवेन्नित्यं य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मनः॥
giriprapāte gahane caityasthāne catuṣpathe| dīpadānaṃ bhavennityaṃ ya icched bhūtimātmanaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.53
कुलोद्योतो विशुद्धात्मा प्रकाशत्वं च गच्छति। ज्योतिषां चैव सालोक्यं दीपदाता नरः सदा॥
kulodyoto viśuddhātmā prakāśatvaṃ ca gacchati| jyotiṣāṃ caiva sālokyaṃ dīpadātā naraḥ sadā||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.54
बलिकर्मसु वक्ष्यामि गुणान् कर्मफलोदयान्। देवयक्षोरगनृणां भूतानामथ रक्षसाम्॥
balikarmasu vakṣyāmi guṇān karmaphalodayān| devayakṣoraganṛṇāṃ bhūtānāmatha rakṣasām||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.55
येषां नाग्रभुजो विप्रा देवतातिथिबालकाः। राक्षसानेव तान् विद्धि निर्विशङ्कानमगलान्॥
yeṣāṃ nāgrabhujo viprā devatātithibālakāḥ| rākṣasāneva tān viddhi nirviśaṅkānamagalān||
Those unscrupulous and wicked men who eat without First serving Brahmanas and celestials and guests and children, should be known as Rakshasas,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.56
तस्मादग्रं प्रयच्छेत देवेभ्यः प्रतिपूजितम्। शिरसा प्रयतश्चापि हरेद् बलिमतन्द्रितः॥
tasmādagraṃ prayaccheta devebhyaḥ pratipūjitam| śirasā prayataścāpi hared balimatandritaḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.57
गृह्णन्ति देवता नित्यमाशंसन्ति सदा गृहान्। बाह्याश्चागन्तवो येऽन्ये यक्षराक्षसपन्नगा:॥
gṛhṇanti devatā nityamāśaṃsanti sadā gṛhān| bāhyāścāgantavo ye'nye yakṣarākṣasapannagā:||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.58
इतो दत्तेन जीवन्ति देवताः पितरस्तथा। ते प्रीताः प्रीणयन्तेनमायुषा यशसा धनैः॥
ito dattena jīvanti devatāḥ pitarastathā| te prītāḥ prīṇayantenamāyuṣā yaśasā dhanaiḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.59
बलयः सह पुष्पैस्तु देवानामुपहारयेत्। दधिदुग्धमयाः पुण्याः सुगन्धाः प्रियदर्शनाः॥
balayaḥ saha puṣpaistu devānāmupahārayet| dadhidugdhamayāḥ puṇyāḥ sugandhāḥ priyadarśanāḥ||
Clean food, of sweet scent and look, mixed with milk and curds, should, along with flowers, be offered to the celestials.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.60
कार्या रुधिरमासांढ्या बलयो यक्षरक्षसाम्। सुरासवपुरस्कारा लाजोल्लापिकभूषिताः॥
kāryā rudhiramāsāṃḍhyā balayo yakṣarakṣasām| surāsavapuraskārā lājollāpikabhūṣitāḥ||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.61
नागानां दयिता नित्यं पद्मोत्पलविमिश्रिताः। तिलान् गुडसुसम्पन्नान् भूतानामुपहारयेत्॥
nāgānāṃ dayitā nityaṃ padmotpalavimiśritāḥ| tilān guḍasusampannān bhūtānāmupahārayet||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.62
अग्रदाताग्रभोगी स्याद् बलवीर्यसमन्वितः। तस्मादग्रं प्रयच्छेत देवेभ्यः प्रतिपूजितम्॥
agradātāgrabhogī syād balavīryasamanvitaḥ| tasmādagraṃ prayaccheta devebhyaḥ pratipūjitam||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.63
ज्वलन्त्यहरहो वेश्म याचास्य गृहदेवताः। ताः पूज्या भूतिकामेन प्रसृताग्रप्रदायिना॥
jvalantyaharaho veśma yācāsya gṛhadevatāḥ| tāḥ pūjyā bhūtikāmena prasṛtāgrapradāyinā||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.64
इत्येतदसुरेन्द्राय काव्यः प्रोवाच भार्गवः। सुवर्णाय मनुः प्राह सुवर्णो नारदाय च॥
ityetadasurendrāya kāvyaḥ provāca bhārgavaḥ| suvarṇāya manuḥ prāha suvarṇo nāradāya ca||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 98.65
नारदोऽपि मयि प्राह गुणानेतान् महाद्युते। त्वमप्येतद् विदित्वेह सर्वमाचर पुत्रक॥
nārado'pi mayi prāha guṇānetān mahādyute| tvamapyetad viditveha sarvamācara putraka||
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.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)