Shloka 17
The Glory of Lamp-Donation
in Kārttika
एकदा कार्तिके सोऽपि प्रदीपं पुरतो हरेः । दत्वा गृहं गतो विप्रो घृतपूर्णं द्विजर्षभः
ekadā kārtike so'pi pradīpaṃ purato hareḥ | datvā gṛhaṃ gato vipro ghṛtapūrṇaṃ dvijarṣabhaḥ
एकदा कार्तिक महिन्यात त्या द्विजश्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणाने घृताने भरलेला दीपक श्रीहरीसमोर ठेवून मग घरी गेला.
Narrator (context not supplied; commonly within Padma Purāṇa Brahma-khaṇḍa dialogues attributed to Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma)
Concept: A small, sincere offering—especially Kārttika dīpa-dāna to Hari—accumulates immense puṇya and becomes a vehicle for grace beyond the doer’s expectations.
Application: Light a lamp (ghee/sesame oil) before Vishnu/Krishna daily, especially in Kārttika; pair it with a short prayer and a moment of gratitude.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a modest shrine, the brāhmaṇa gently sets a clay lamp brimming with ghee before Hari’s image. The flame rises steady and bright, reflecting on brass vessels and the calm face of the deity, while the devotee departs quietly into the Kārttika night.","primary_figures":["Brāhmaṇa Vaikuṇṭha","Lord Hari (Vishnu/Krishna in arcā form)"],"setting":"Small temple sanctum or home altar with garlands, conch, bell, and tulasī leaves; Kārttika night outside","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-flame amber","brass gold","midnight blue","vermillion red","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Hari’s icon on a pedestal with ornate prabhāmaṇḍala in gold leaf; the brāhmaṇa placing a ghṛta-filled dīpa at the deity’s feet; rich red-green drapery, jeweled ornaments, embossed gold borders, glowing flame as focal point with reflective brass lamps around.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate shrine scene with delicate brushwork; soft night sky visible through a doorway; the brāhmaṇa in white, bending to place a small lamp; Hari’s image serene, garlands and tulasī rendered with fine detail; cool blues contrasted with warm flame.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Hari with large eyes and elaborate crown; the devotee offering a lamp; bold outlines, warm yellow and red dominating, green accents for garlands; textured temple-wall feel with rhythmic ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Hari/Krishna shrine with lotus motifs; multiple small lamps arranged in symmetrical patterns for Kārttika; floral borders, peacocks near the doorway, deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["single temple bell","soft conch in distance","crackling lamp flame","night insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोऽपि = सः + अपि; हरेः (no sandhi); घृतपूर्णं (contextually agrees with प्रदीपम्); द्विजर्षभः = द्विज + ऋषभः.
FAQs
Kārttika is repeatedly presented as a highly meritorious month for Vaiṣṇava devotion; offering a lamp before Hari is a classic act of bhakti and vrata-observance associated with spiritual merit and purification.
The verse describes placing a ghee-filled lamp (ghṛta-pūrṇa pradīpa) before Lord Hari (Viṣṇu), a standard Kārttika observance connected with dīpa-dāna.
It highlights simple, sincere devotion: even a straightforward offering—done at an auspicious time and directed to the divine—embodies reverence, discipline, and faith.