Shloka 51
Āloka-dāna (Dīpa-dāna), Sumanas–Dhūpa–Dīpa Phala: Manu–Suvarṇa and Śukra–Bali Exempla
दीपहर्ता भवेदन्धस्तमोगतिरसुप्रभ: । दीपप्रद: स्वर्गलोके दीपमालेव राजते
dīpahartā bhaved andhas tamogatir asuprabhaḥ | dīpapradaḥ svargaloke dīpamālevа rājate ||
Śukra sprach: „Wer eine Lampe stiehlt, wird blind, verliert Glanz und Wohlstand und fällt nach dem Tod auf einen dunklen Pfad (in höllisches Geschick). Doch der Spender einer Lampe leuchtet in der Himmelswelt, strahlend wie eine Lichtergirlande.“
शुक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts pāpa and puṇya through a vivid symbol: stealing light (a lamp) leads to darkness—blindness, loss of splendour, and a dark afterlife—whereas giving light (dīpadāna) yields heavenly radiance and honor. It teaches respect for sacred/beneficial objects and praises charity that alleviates darkness.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma and gifts, Śukra delivers a moral injunction: do not steal items that provide light, and instead practice lamp-giving. The statement functions as a didactic rule linking actions with corresponding results in this life and after death.