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 ||
ଶୁକ୍ର କହିଲେ—ଯେ ଦୀପ ଚୋରାଏ, ସେ ଅନ୍ଧ ହୁଏ, ତେଜ ଓ ଶ୍ରୀହୀନ ହୁଏ, ଏବଂ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ପରେ ତମୋଗତି (ନରକୀୟ ଗତି) ପାଏ। କିନ୍ତୁ ଯେ ଦୀପଦାନ କରେ, ସେ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଲୋକରେ ଦୀପମାଳା ପରି ଦୀପ୍ତିମାନ ହୁଏ।
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.