The Sixteen Offerings of Worship and the Glory of the Lamp

Verse 1 (skanda.6.239.1)

नारद उवाच । उपचारैः षोडशभिः पूजनं क्रियते कथम् । ते के षोडश भावाः स्युर्नित्यं ये शयने हरेः

nārada uvāca upacāraiḥ ṣoḍaśabhiḥ pūjanaṁ kriyate katham te ke ṣoḍaśa bhāvāḥ syurnityaṁ ye śayane hareḥ

Narada said: "How is worship performed with the sixteen offerings? What are those sixteen elements that are always used during Hari's sleep?"

Verse 2 (skanda.6.239.2)

एतद्विस्तरतो ब्रूहि पृच्छतो मे प्रजापते । तव प्रसादमासाद्य जगत्पूज्यो भवाम्यहम्

etadvistarato brūhi pṛcchato me prajāpate tava prasādamāsādya jagatpūjyo bhavāmyaham

"Tell this to me in detail, O Prajapati, as I ask; having obtained your grace, may I become worthy of worship in the world."

Verse 3 (skanda.6.239.3)

ब्रह्मा उवाच । विष्णुभक्तिर्दृढा कार्या वेदशास्त्रविधानतः । वेदमूलमिदं सर्वं वेदो विष्णुः सनातनः

brahmā uvāca viṣṇubhaktirdṛḍhā kāryā vedaśāstravidhānataḥ vedamūlamidaṁ sarvaṁ vedo viṣṇuḥ sanātanaḥ

Brahma said: "Firm devotion to Vishnu should be cultivated according to the injunctions of the Veda and the shastras. All of this has the Veda as its root; the Veda is the eternal Vishnu himself."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.239.4)

ते वेदा ब्राह्मणाधारा ब्राह्मणाश्चाग्निदैवताः । अग्नौ प्रास्ताहुतिर्विप्रो यज्ञे देवं यजन्सदा

te vedā brāhmaṇādhārā brāhmaṇāścāgnidaivatāḥ agnau prāstāhutirvipro yajñe devaṁ yajansadā

Those Vedas rest upon the brahmins, and the brahmins have Agni as their presiding deity. The oblation cast into the fire by the brahmin is, in the sacrifice, always a worship of God.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.239.5)

जगत्संधारयेत्सर्वं विष्णुपूजारतः सदा । नारायणः स्मृतो ध्यातः क्लेशदुःखादिनाशनः

jagatsaṁdhārayetsarvaṁ viṣṇupūjārataḥ sadā nārāyaṇaḥ smṛto dhyātaḥ kleśaduḥkhādināśanaḥ

One who is always devoted to the worship of Vishnu sustains the entire world; Narayana, when remembered and meditated upon, destroys affliction, sorrow, and the like.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.239.6)

चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण जलरूपगतो हरिः । जलादन्नानि जायंते जगतां तृप्तिहेतवे

cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa jalarūpagato hariḥ jalādannāni jāyaṁte jagatāṁ tṛptihetave

Especially during Chaturmasya, Hari abides in the form of water; from water, foods are born, for the satisfaction of all the worlds.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.239.7)

विष्णुदेहांशसंभूतं तदन्नं ब्रह्म इष्यते । तदन्नं विष्णवे दत्त्वा ह्यावाहनपुरःसरम्

viṣṇudehāṁśasaṁbhūtaṁ tadannaṁ brahma iṣyate tadannaṁ viṣṇave dattvā hyāvāhanapuraḥsaram

That food, arising from a portion of Vishnu's own body, is regarded as Brahman itself. Having first invoked him, that food is to be offered to Vishnu —

Verse 8 (skanda.6.239.8)

पुनर्जन्मजराक्लेशसंस्कारैर्नाभिभूयते । आकाशसंभवो वेद एक एव पुराऽभवत्

punarjanmajarākleśasaṁskārairnābhibhūyate ākāśasaṁbhavo veda eka eva purā'bhavat

— thereafter one is no longer overcome by the afflictions of rebirth, old age, and their latent impressions. In ancient times, the Veda that arose from the sky was but a single one.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.239.9)

ततो यजुःसामसंज्ञामृग्वेदः प्राप भूतये । ऋग्वेदोऽभिहितः पूर्वं यजुःसहस्रशीर्षेति च

tato yajuḥsāmasaṁjñāmṛgvedaḥ prāpa bhūtaye ṛgvedo'bhihitaḥ pūrvaṁ yajuḥsahasraśīrṣeti ca

From it, for the welfare of beings, arose the divisions called Yajus, Sama, and Rig; the Rig Veda was declared first, and also the Yajus called Sahasrashirsha, the thousand-headed hymn.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.239.10)

षोडशर्चं महासूक्तं नारायणमयं परम् । तस्यापि पाठमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्या निवर्तते

ṣoḍaśarcaṁ mahāsūktaṁ nārāyaṇamayaṁ param tasyāpi pāṭhamātreṇa brahmahatyā nivartate

There is a great hymn of sixteen verses, wholly composed of the supreme Narayana; merely by reciting even that, the sin of killing a brahmin is undone.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.239.11)

विप्रः पूर्वं न्यसेद्देहे स्मृत्युक्तेन निजे बुधः । ततस्तु प्रतिमायां च शालग्रामे विशेषतः

vipraḥ pūrvaṁ nyaseddehe smṛtyuktena nije budhaḥ tatastu pratimāyāṁ ca śālagrāme viśeṣataḥ

The wise brahmin should first place the deity upon his own body, according to what is taught in the Smritis; and thereafter, especially, upon an image or upon the Shaligrama stone.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.239.12)

क्रमेण च ततः कुर्यात्पश्चादावाहनादिकम् । आवाह्य सकलं रूपं वैकुण्ठस्थानसंस्थितम्

krameṇa ca tataḥ kuryātpaścādāvāhanādikam āvāhya sakalaṁ rūpaṁ vaikuṇṭhasthānasaṁsthitam

Then, in due order, he should perform the invocation and the rest, invoking the entire form of the Lord as it dwells in his abode of Vaikuntha —

Verse 13 (skanda.6.239.13)

कौस्तुभेन विराजंतं सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम् । दंडहस्तं शिखासूत्रसहितं पीतवाससम्

kaustubhena virājaṁtaṁ sūryakoṭisamaprabham daṁḍahastaṁ śikhāsūtrasahitaṁ pītavāsasam

— resplendent with the Kaustubha jewel, radiant as ten million suns, holding a staff in hand, wearing the tuft and sacred thread, clad in yellow garments,

Verse 14 (skanda.6.239.14)

महासंन्यासिनं ध्यायेच्चातुर्मास्ये विशेषतः । एवं रूपमयं विष्णुं सर्वपापौघहारिणम्

mahāsaṁnyāsinaṁ dhyāyeccāturmāsye viśeṣataḥ evaṁ rūpamayaṁ viṣṇuṁ sarvapāpaughahāriṇam

— the great renunciant: one should meditate especially during Chaturmasya upon Vishnu embodied in this form, who sweeps away the entire flood of sin.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.239.15)

आवाहयेच्च पुरतो ध्यानसंस्थं द्विजोत्तम । ऋचा प्रथमया चास्योंकारादिसमुदीर्णया

āvāhayecca purato dhyānasaṁsthaṁ dvijottama ṛcā prathamayā cāsyoṁkārādisamudīrṇayā

O foremost of brahmins, one should invoke him before oneself, established in meditation, with the first Vedic verse, beginning with the syllable Om,

Verse 16 (skanda.6.239.16)

द्वितीयया चासनं च पार्षदैश्च समन्वितम् । सौवर्णान्यासनान्येषां मनसा परिचिन्तयेत्

dvitīyayā cāsanaṁ ca pārṣadaiśca samanvitam sauvarṇānyāsanānyeṣāṁ manasā paricintayet

— and with the second verse, one should offer the seat, together with the divine attendants; one should mentally contemplate golden seats for them.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.239.17)

चिन्तनैर्भक्तियोगेन परिपूर्णं च तद्भवेत् । पाद्यं तृतीयया कार्यं गंगां तत्र स्मरेद्बुधः

cintanairbhaktiyogena paripūrṇaṁ ca tadbhavet pādyaṁ tṛtīyayā kāryaṁ gaṁgāṁ tatra smaredbudhaḥ

Through such contemplations joined with devotion, that offering becomes complete. Water for the feet is to be offered with the third verse; the wise man should remember the Ganga there.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.239.18)

अर्घ्यः कार्यस्ततो विष्णोः सरिद्भिः सप्तसागरैः । पुनराचमनं कार्यममृतेन जगत्पतेः

arghyaḥ kāryastato viṣṇoḥ saridbhiḥ saptasāgaraiḥ punarācamanaṁ kāryamamṛtena jagatpateḥ

Then the arghya-offering is to be made to Vishnu, remembering the rivers and the seven seas; the sipping of water is again to be offered to the Lord of the world, as though it were nectar.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.239.19)

त्रिभिराचमनैः शुद्धिर्ब्राह्मणस्य निगद्यते । अद्भिस्तु प्रकृतिस्थाभिर्हीनाभिः फेनबुद्बुदैः

tribhirācamanaiḥ śuddhirbrāhmaṇasya nigadyate adbhistu prakṛtisthābhirhīnābhiḥ phenabudbudaiḥ

By three sippings of water, the purification of a brahmin is prescribed; but the water should be in its natural state, free from foam and bubbles —

Verse 20 (skanda.6.239.20)

हृत्कण्ठतालुगाभिश्च यथावर्णं द्विजातयः । शुध्येरन्स्त्री च शूद्रश्च सकृत्स्पृष्टाभिरंततः

hṛtkaṇṭhatālugābhiśca yathāvarṇaṁ dvijātayaḥ śudhyeranstrī ca śūdraśca sakṛtspṛṣṭābhiraṁtataḥ

— reaching the heart, the throat, or the palate according to one's varna, the twice-born are purified; women and shudras are purified merely by a single touch of it, in the end.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.239.21)

पञ्चम्याऽऽचमनं कार्यं भक्तियुक्तेन चेतसा । भक्तिग्राह्यो हृषीकेशो भक्त्याऽऽत्मानं प्रयच्छति

pañcamyā''camanaṁ kāryaṁ bhaktiyuktena cetasā bhaktigrāhyo hṛṣīkeśo bhaktyā''tmānaṁ prayacchati

With the fifth verse, the sipping of water is to be offered, with a mind full of devotion; Hrishikesha, who is won by devotion alone, gives himself through devotion.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.239.22)

ततः सुवासितैस्तोयैः सर्वोषधिसमन्वितैः । शेषोदकैः स्वर्णघटैः स्नानं देवस्य कारयेत्

tataḥ suvāsitaistoyaiḥ sarvoṣadhisamanvitaiḥ śeṣodakaiḥ svarṇaghaṭaiḥ snānaṁ devasya kārayet

Then, with sweetly-scented waters mixed with all kinds of herbs, and with the remaining waters in golden vessels, one should bathe the deity.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.239.23)

तीर्थोदकैः श्रद्धया च मनसा समुपाहृतैः । अश्रद्धया रत्नराशिः प्रदत्तो निष्फलो भवेत्

tīrthodakaiḥ śraddhayā ca manasā samupāhṛtaiḥ aśraddhayā ratnarāśiḥ pradatto niṣphalo bhavet

With the waters of holy tirthas, offered with faith and a devoted mind — for even a heap of jewels given without faith becomes fruitless.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.239.24)

वार्यपि श्रद्धया दत्तमनंतत्वाय कल्पते । चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण श्रद्धया पूयते नरः

vāryapi śraddhayā dattamanaṁtatvāya kalpate cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa śraddhayā pūyate naraḥ

Even mere water, given with faith, becomes fit to bring about endless merit. Especially during Chaturmasya, a man is purified through faith.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.239.25)

षष्ठ्या स्नानं ततः कार्यं पुनराचमनं भवेत् । दद्याच्च वाससी स्वर्णसहिते भक्तिशक्तितः

ṣaṣṭhyā snānaṁ tataḥ kāryaṁ punarācamanaṁ bhavet dadyācca vāsasī svarṇasahite bhaktiśaktitaḥ

With the sixth verse, the bathing is then to be performed, followed again by sipping of water; and one should offer a pair of garments together with gold, according to one's devotion and means.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.239.26)

आच्छादितं जगत्सर्वं वस्त्रेणाच्छादितो हरिः । चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण वस्त्रदानं महाफलम्

ācchāditaṁ jagatsarvaṁ vastreṇācchādito hariḥ cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa vastradānaṁ mahāphalam

The whole world is, as it were, covered when Hari is covered with cloth; especially during Chaturmasya, the gift of cloth bears great fruit.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.239.27)

पुनराचमनं देयं यतये विष्णुरूपिणे । वस्त्रदानं च सप्तम्या कार्यं विष्णोर्मुनीश्वर

punarācamanaṁ deyaṁ yataye viṣṇurūpiṇe vastradānaṁ ca saptamyā kāryaṁ viṣṇormunīśvara

Sipping of water is again to be offered to that ascetic who is Vishnu himself; and, O lord of sages, the gift of cloth is to be made to Vishnu with the seventh verse.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.239.28)

यज्ञोपवीतमष्टम्या तच्चाध्यात्मतया शृणु । सूर्यकोटिसमस्पर्शं तेजसा भास्वरं तथा

yajñopavītamaṣṭamyā taccādhyātmatayā śṛṇu sūryakoṭisamasparśaṁ tejasā bhāsvaraṁ tathā

With the eighth verse, the sacred thread is offered; hear now of its inner, spiritual meaning: it is like the touch of ten million suns, radiant with splendor,

Verse 29 (skanda.6.239.29)

क्रोधाभिभूते विप्रे तु तडित्कोटिसभप्रभम् । सूर्येन्दुवह्निसंयोगाद्गुणत्रयसमन्वितम्

krodhābhibhūte vipre tu taḍitkoṭisabhaprabham sūryenduvahnisaṁyogādguṇatrayasamanvitam

— and when the brahmin is overcome with anger, it shines like ten million lightning-flashes; joined together from sun, moon, and fire, it is endowed with the three gunas,

Verse 30 (skanda.6.239.30)

त्रयीमयं ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्ररूपं त्रिविष्टपम् । यस्य प्रभावाद्विप्रेंद्र मानवो द्विज उच्यते

trayīmayaṁ brahmaviṣṇurudrarūpaṁ triviṣṭapam yasya prabhāvādvipreṁdra mānavo dvija ucyate

— composed of the three Vedas, in the form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra, pervading the three worlds; by whose power, O foremost of brahmins, a human being comes to be called 'twice-born.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.239.31)

जन्मना जायते शूद्रः संस्काराद्द्विज उच्यते । शापानुग्रहसामर्थ्यं तथा क्रोधः प्रसन्नता

janmanā jāyate śūdraḥ saṁskārāddvija ucyate śāpānugrahasāmarthyaṁ tathā krodhaḥ prasannatā

By birth alone, one is born a shudra; it is by the sacrament of the sacred thread that one is called twice-born. The power to curse and to bless, likewise anger and grace,

Verse 32 (skanda.6.239.32)

त्रैलोक्यप्रवरत्वं च ब्राह्मणादेव जायते । न ब्राह्मणसमो बन्धुर्न ब्राह्मणसमा गतिः

trailokyapravaratvaṁ ca brāhmaṇādeva jāyate na brāhmaṇasamo bandhurna brāhmaṇasamā gatiḥ

— and pre-eminence in the three worlds — all these arise from the brahmin alone. There is no kinsman equal to a brahmin, no refuge equal to a brahmin,

Verse 33 (skanda.6.239.33)

न ब्राह्मणसमः कश्चित्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे । दत्तोपवीते ब्रह्मण्ये सुप्ते देवे जनार्दने

na brāhmaṇasamaḥ kaścittrailokye sacarācare dattopavīte brahmaṇye supte deve janārdane

— there is none equal to a brahmin anywhere in the three moving and unmoving worlds. When the sacred thread is offered to the brahmin deity, while Janardana lies asleep,

Verse 34 (skanda.6.239.34)

सर्वजगद्ब्रह्ममयं संजातं नात्र संशयः । नवम्या च सुलेपश्च कर्तव्यो यज्ञमूर्तये

sarvajagadbrahmamayaṁ saṁjātaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ navamyā ca sulepaśca kartavyo yajñamūrtaye

— the entire world becomes, as it were, filled with Brahman; of this there is no doubt. And with the ninth verse, an excellent unguent is to be offered to him whose very form is sacrifice.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.239.35)

सुयक्षकर्दमैर्लिप्तो विष्णुर्येन जगद्गुरुः । तेनाप्यायितमेतद्धि वासितं यशसा जगत्

suyakṣakardamairlipto viṣṇuryena jagadguruḥ tenāpyāyitametaddhi vāsitaṁ yaśasā jagat

By whatever excellent fragrant paste Vishnu, the teacher of the world, is anointed, by that very act this world is nourished and perfumed with glory.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.239.36)

तेजसा भास्करो लोके देवत्वं प्राप्य मानवः । ब्रह्मलोकादिके लोके मोदते चंदनप्रदः

tejasā bhāskaro loke devatvaṁ prāpya mānavaḥ brahmalokādike loke modate caṁdanapradaḥ

Through such radiance, a human being who offers sandal-paste attains divinity like the sun in this world, and rejoices in the world of Brahma and beyond.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.239.37)

चंदनालेपसुभगं विष्णुं पश्यंति मानवाः । न ते यमपुरं यांति चातुर्मास्ये विशेषतः

caṁdanālepasubhagaṁ viṣṇuṁ paśyaṁti mānavāḥ na te yamapuraṁ yāṁti cāturmāsye viśeṣataḥ

Those men who behold Vishnu made beautiful with the anointing of sandal-paste do not go to the city of Yama, especially if this is done during Chaturmasya.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.239.38)

दशम्या पुष्पपूजा च भक्तिपूजा तथैव च । पुष्पे चैव सदा लक्ष्मीर्वसत्येव निरंतरम्

daśamyā puṣpapūjā ca bhaktipūjā tathaiva ca puṣpe caiva sadā lakṣmīrvasatyeva niraṁtaram

With the tenth verse, the offering of flowers is made, which is likewise an offering of devotion; and in the flower itself, Lakshmi always dwells without interruption.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.239.39)

लक्ष्म्याः सर्वत्र गामिन्या दोषो नैव प्रजायते । यथा सर्वमयो विष्णुर्न दोषैरनुभूयते

lakṣmyāḥ sarvatra gāminyā doṣo naiva prajāyate yathā sarvamayo viṣṇurna doṣairanubhūyate

For Lakshmi, who moves everywhere, no fault ever arises; just as Vishnu, who pervades all things, is never touched by faults —

Verse 40 (skanda.6.239.40)

तथा सर्वमयी लक्ष्मीः सतीत्वान्नैव हीयते । प्रतिमासु च सर्वासु सर्वभूतेषु नित्यदा

tathā sarvamayī lakṣmīḥ satītvānnaiva hīyate pratimāsu ca sarvāsu sarvabhūteṣu nityadā

— so too Lakshmi, who pervades all things, never suffers diminishment because of her purity. In all images, and in all beings, always —

Verse 41 (skanda.6.239.41)

मनुष्यदेवपितृषु पुष्पपूजा विधीयते । पुष्पैः संपूजितो येन हरिरेकः श्रिया सह

manuṣyadevapitṛṣu puṣpapūjā vidhīyate puṣpaiḥ saṁpūjito yena harirekaḥ śriyā saha

— among men, gods, and ancestors, the offering of flowers is prescribed. By whomever Hari alone, together with Shri, is worshipped with flowers —

Verse 42 (skanda.6.239.42)

आब्रह्मस्तंबपर्यंतं पूजितं तेन वै जगत् । अतः सुश्वेतकुसुमैर्विष्णुं संपूजयेत्सदा

ābrahmastaṁbaparyaṁtaṁ pūjitaṁ tena vai jagat ataḥ suśvetakusumairviṣṇuṁ saṁpūjayetsadā

— by him, indeed, the entire world, from Brahma down to the blade of grass, has been worshipped. Therefore one should always worship Vishnu with pure white flowers.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.239.43)

चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण भक्तियुक्तः सदा शुचिः । भक्त्या सुविहिता ब्रह्मन्पुष्पपूजा नरैर्यदि

cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa bhaktiyuktaḥ sadā śuciḥ bhaktyā suvihitā brahmanpuṣpapūjā narairyadi

Especially during Chaturmasya, one should always remain pure and full of devotion. O Brahman, if the worship with flowers is properly performed by men with devotion —

Verse 44 (skanda.6.239.44)

यंयं काममभिध्यायेत्तस्य सिद्धिर्निरंतरा । पुष्पैरुपचितं विष्णुं यद्यन्ये प्रणमंति च

yaṁyaṁ kāmamabhidhyāyettasya siddhirniraṁtarā puṣpairupacitaṁ viṣṇuṁ yadyanye praṇamaṁti ca

— then whatever desire one contemplates is fulfilled without fail. And if others also bow down to Vishnu adorned with flowers —

Verse 45 (skanda.6.239.45)

तेषामप्यक्षया लोकाश्चातुर्मास्येऽधिकं फलम् । एकादश्या धूपदानं कर्तव्यं यतये हरौ

teṣāmapyakṣayā lokāścāturmāsye'dhikaṁ phalam ekādaśyā dhūpadānaṁ kartavyaṁ yataye harau

— for them too, imperishable worlds are attained, and the fruit is greater still during Chaturmasya. With the eleventh verse, the offering of incense is to be made to Hari the ascetic.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.239.46)

वनस्पतिरसो दिव्यो गंधाढ्यो गन्ध उत्तमः । आघ्रेयः सर्वदेवानां धूपोऽयं प्रतिगृह्यताम्

vanaspatiraso divyo gaṁdhāḍhyo gandha uttamaḥ āghreyaḥ sarvadevānāṁ dhūpo'yaṁ pratigṛhyatām

(The mantra says): "This divine sap of the forest trees, rich in fragrance, this excellent scent, fit to be smelled by all the gods — may this incense be accepted."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.239.47)

इमं मंत्रं समुच्चार्य धूपमागुरुजं शुभम् । दद्याद्भगवते नित्यं चातुर्मास्ये महाफलम्

imaṁ maṁtraṁ samuccārya dhūpamāgurujaṁ śubham dadyādbhagavate nityaṁ cāturmāsye mahāphalam

Having recited this mantra, one should always offer auspicious incense made from aguru wood to the Lord; during Chaturmasya this bears great fruit.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.239.48)

कर्पूरचन्दनदलैः सितामधुसमन्वितम् । मांसीजटाभिः सहितं सुप्ते देवेऽथ सत्तम

karpūracandanadalaiḥ sitāmadhusamanvitam māṁsījaṭābhiḥ sahitaṁ supte deve'tha sattama

O most excellent one, combined with camphor, sandal-leaves, sugar, and honey, and joined with spikenard, while the Lord is asleep —

Verse 49 (skanda.6.239.49)

देवा घ्राणेन तुष्यंति धूपं घ्राणहरं शुभम् । द्वादश्या दीपदानं तु कर्तव्यं मुक्तिमिच्छुभिः

devā ghrāṇena tuṣyaṁti dhūpaṁ ghrāṇaharaṁ śubham dvādaśyā dīpadānaṁ tu kartavyaṁ muktimicchubhiḥ

— the gods are pleased through the sense of smell by this auspicious incense that delights the nostrils. With the twelfth verse, the gift of a lamp is to be made by those who desire liberation.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.239.50)

दीपः सर्वेषु कार्येषु प्रथमस्तेजसां पतिः । दीपस्तमौघनाशाय दीपः कांतिं प्रयच्छति

dīpaḥ sarveṣu kāryeṣu prathamastejasāṁ patiḥ dīpastamaughanāśāya dīpaḥ kāṁtiṁ prayacchati

The lamp comes first in all undertakings, the very lord of all radiance; the lamp destroys the mass of darkness, and the lamp bestows splendor.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.239.51)

तस्माद्दीपप्रदानेन प्रीयतां मे जनार्दनः । अयं पौराणजो मंत्रो वेदर्चेन समन्वितः । दीपप्रदाने सकलः प्रयुक्तो नाशयेदघम्

tasmāddīpapradānena prīyatāṁ me janārdanaḥ ayaṁ paurāṇajo maṁtro vedarcena samanvitaḥ dīpapradāne sakalaḥ prayukto nāśayedagham

(The mantra says): "Therefore, by the gift of this lamp, may my Janardana be pleased." This is the mantra taught in the Puranas, joined with a Vedic verse; when fully recited at the offering of the lamp, it destroys sin.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.239.52)

चातुर्मास्ये दीपदानं कुरुते यो हरेः पुरः । तस्य पापमयो राशिर्निमेषादपि दह्यते

cāturmāsye dīpadānaṁ kurute yo hareḥ puraḥ tasya pāpamayo rāśirnimeṣādapi dahyate

Whoever offers a lamp before Hari during Chaturmasya, that person's entire mass of sin is burnt away in the very blink of an eye.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.239.53)

तावत्पापानि गर्जंति तावद्बिभेति पातकी । यावन्न विहितो भास्वान्दीपो नारायणालये

tāvatpāpāni garjaṁti tāvadbibheti pātakī yāvanna vihito bhāsvāndīpo nārāyaṇālaye

Sins go on roaring, and the sinner goes on trembling, only so long as a shining lamp has not been set up in the temple of Narayana.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.239.54)

दर्शनादपि दीपस्य सर्वसिद्धिर्नृणां भवेत्

darśanādapi dīpasya sarvasiddhirnṛṇāṁ bhavet

Merely by the sight of that lamp, men obtain the fulfillment of every desire.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.239.55)

कामनां यां समुद्दिश्य दीपं कारयते हरौ । सासा सिद्ध्यति निर्विघ्ना सुप्तेऽनंते गुणोत्तरम्

kāmanāṁ yāṁ samuddiśya dīpaṁ kārayate harau sāsā siddhyati nirvighnā supte'naṁte guṇottaram

Whatever desire one has in mind when offering a lamp to Hari, that desire is fulfilled without any obstacle, while Ananta, most excellent in virtue, lies asleep.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.239.56)

पंचायतनसंस्थेषु तथा देवेषु पंचसु । विहितं दीपदानं च चातुर्मास्ये महाफलम्

paṁcāyatanasaṁstheṣu tathā deveṣu paṁcasu vihitaṁ dīpadānaṁ ca cāturmāsye mahāphalam

Likewise, the offering of a lamp prescribed for the five deities established in the panchayatana bears great fruit during Chaturmasya.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.239.57)

एको विष्णुस्तुष्यते मुक्तिदाता नित्यं ध्यातः पूजितः संस्तुतश्च । यच्चाभीष्टं यच्च गेहे शुभं वा तत्तद्देयं मुक्तिहेतोर्नृवर्यैः

eko viṣṇustuṣyate muktidātā nityaṁ dhyātaḥ pūjitaḥ saṁstutaśca yaccābhīṣṭaṁ yacca gehe śubhaṁ vā tattaddeyaṁ muktihetornṛvaryaiḥ

Vishnu alone, the eternal giver of liberation, is pleased when constantly meditated upon, worshipped, and praised; whatever is desired, and whatever auspicious thing is in one's house, that should be given by the best of men for the sake of liberation.