Just as darkness cannot be dispelled without the fire of a lamp, so too did the assembled gods find themselves unable to overcome the gloom that surrounded them. Filled with delight and hope, they turned once more to the mighty Damodara, seeking his guidance. “We are sunk in dreadful darkness,” they confessed. “We do not know the fire that can bring us light.” Moved by their devotion, the gods who were steadfast in their reverence for Shiva kindled a lamp together. As the lamp was offered, a wondrous sight unfolded: the delighted Maheshvara, great Shiva himself, was revealed before the eyes of the gods. Overjoyed, the gods—led by Indra—attained happiness in their heavenly abodes. The marvel of giving lamps was so profound that even the Daityas, the ancient enemies of the gods, were astonished by the fruits it bore. With pure flowers and sacred waters, the gods worshipped Mahadeva, and each returned to their rightful place. The simple act of offering lamps brought a fresh beauty and grace to all their realms. But, O Vyasa, not all beings shared in this newfound radiance. The ghosts, bereft of sustenance and shelter, wandered in darkness. Even the outcastes, carrying fire and offering lamps with devotion to Shiva, received the blessings of lamp-giving—enjoying the company of sons and wives. Yet, their food was meager: licked, tasteless, rotten, and stale. Still, they ate with delight, finding joy even in impure places. Recognizing the merit of offering lamps, these souls too brought their lamps before Shiva, and in those places, happiness and joy blossomed. Despite this, a terrible, unyielding state prevailed in the realm of the departed, casting a shadow over all. Seeing this, the excellent gods approached Damodara, Lord of the Universe, with their concerns. Gandharvas, Yakshas, Siddhas, Vidyadharas, and serpents joined their voices as well. “In our realms, we are always happy and enjoy ourselves,” they said. “But those who dwell in that dark place suffer greatly. They have nothing to bring them light—no companion, no spouse, no support, and no guides. Twenty-eight dreadful hells are renowned there. O Krishna, how can those suffering souls ever find happiness?” Hearing their plea, Damodara spoke words that were pleasing, promising to grant the fruits of their desires. “Hear me, all you gods. In Avanti there is a sacred place that instantly removes even the gravest sins. On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kārtika, let one, devoted to the ancestors and self-controlled, gather black sesame seeds. Turning to the left, let him offer them with mantras to Yama, Vaivasvata, Kāla, Dakṣa, Manu, Hara, the son of the Sun, and the brother of Kālindī. With mantras beginning with ‘salutation’ and the sacred syllable Oṃ, let him, with concentrated mind, satisfy Yama with a vessel of sesame seeds. Whoever satisfies mighty Yama in this way, and spends the night there with a heart full of desire, should offer salutations to Sūrya, to Rudra, and to the lord of the end of time. Throughout the month of Kārtika, his prosperity will surely increase. At sunset, when the sun has set at midday, let the wick of the lamp be as long as a man. Placing it on the ground, measure a hand’s length, and on the head, two hands, adorning it with eight petals. Thus, by these sacred acts, the darkness will be dispelled and happiness restored.