There is a hell of the name of
Andhatamas. The period also of the sun's southward course is regarded as
dark. For escaping that hell and the darkness of this period, one should
give lights during the period when the sun is in his northward course.
Such an act is applauded by the good.[442] Since, again, light has an
upward course and is regarded as a remedy for darkness, therefore, one
should be a giver of light. Even this is the conclusion of the
scriptures. It is owing to the lights offered that the deities have
become endued with beauty, energy, and resplendence. By abstention from
such an act, the Rakshasas have become, endued with the opposite
attributes. Hence, one should always give lights. By giving lights a man
becomes endued with keen vision and resplendence One that gives lights
should not be an object of jealousy with others. Lights, again, should
not be stolen, nor extinguished when given by others. One that steals a
light becomes blind. Such a man has to grope through darkness (in the
next world) and becomes destitute of resplendence. One that gives lights
shines in beauty in the celestial regions like a row of lights. Among
lights, the best are those in which ghee is burnt. Next in order are
those in which the juice of (the fruits yielded by) deciduous herbs is
burnt.
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