Shloka 13
The Glory of Lamp-Donation
in Kārttika
मुहूर्तमपि यो दद्यात्कार्त्तिके प्रीतये हरेः । दीपं नभसि विप्रेन्द्र तस्मिंस्तुष्टः सदा हरिः
muhūrtamapi yo dadyātkārttike prītaye hareḥ | dīpaṃ nabhasi viprendra tasmiṃstuṣṭaḥ sadā hariḥ
โอวิเปรนทระ ผู้ใดในเดือนการ์ตติกะถวายประทีปเพื่อความปีติของพระหริ แม้เพียงหนึ่งมุหูรตะ พระหริย่อมพอพระทัยต่อผู้นั้นเสมอ
Unspecified narrator addressing a brāhmaṇa (viprendra) within the Brahma-khaṇḍa discourse
Concept: Even a short Kartika lamp-offering done for Hari’s pleasure wins Hari’s lasting satisfaction.
Application: When time is limited, do a small but sincere act—light a lamp, offer a prayer, dedicate one focused interval daily; consistency and intention matter.
Primary Rasa: bhakti (shanta)
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A single lamp is offered for just one muhūrta, yet the flame expands into a halo that touches the unseen presence of Hari. The devotee’s face shows concentrated stillness, while the surrounding darkness softens, as if the world itself becomes pleased with the offering.","primary_figures":["Brāhmaṇa (viprendra) devotee","Śrī Hari (subtle, pleased presence)"],"setting":"Temple threshold or home altar with a clean brass lampstand; quiet Kartika evening.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lamp-gold","smoky amber","royal blue","pearl white","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up of a brass lamp with a large gold-leaf flame, devotee offering with tulasī leaves and flowers nearby, faint smiling Viṣṇu visage in the aureole, ornate arch and rich textiles, embossed highlights and jewel tones.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate devotional vignette, delicate brushwork on the flame and hands, cool blue night with warm amber glow, subtle divine presence suggested by a translucent halo, refined facial features and minimalistic shrine details.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized lamp and devotee in frontal pose, Viṣṇu’s pleased expression in a circular prabhā behind, bold outlines, flat yet vibrant pigments, rhythmic decorative borders with lotus and conch motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central diya with radiating lotus-petal mandala, small figure of devotee at the base, Hari medallion above, intricate floral borders, peacocks and vines, deep blue ground with gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["lamp crackle","soft bell","low tanpura drone","night breeze","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मुहूर्तमपि = मुहूर्तम् + अपि; दद्यात्कार्त्तिके = दद्यात् + कार्त्तिके; तस्मिंस्तुष्टः = तस्मिन् + तुष्टः (न् + त → न्त); (IAST) tasmiṃstuṣṭaḥ = tasmin + tuṣṭaḥ
FAQs
It recommends offering (donating) a lamp (dīpa-dāna) during the month of Kārttika for the pleasure of Hari (Viṣṇu).
It teaches that even a small devotional act—done sincerely for Hari’s pleasure—wins divine satisfaction, highlighting devotion over magnitude of ritual.
Consistent reverence and generosity, even in small measures and for short durations, are spiritually meaningful when motivated by devotion rather than display.