Shloka 16
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
तं समभ्यर्च्य विद्वांसं प्राप्तं विप्रं सदार्हयेत् । तं हि त्यक्त्वा ददेद्दानमन्यस्मै ब्राह्मणाय वै
taṃ samabhyarcya vidvāṃsaṃ prāptaṃ vipraṃ sadārhayet | taṃ hi tyaktvā dadeddānamanyasmai brāhmaṇāya vai
إذا أُكرِم البراهمن العالِم الذي قدم إكرامًا لائقًا، وجب أن يُعامَل دائمًا بما يستحق من توقير؛ فإن تركه وإعطاء الصدقة لبراهمن آخر بدلًا منه أمر غير لائق.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa narration)
Concept: First honor and worship the learned brāhmaṇa who has arrived; neglecting him and giving instead to another brāhmaṇa is improper.
Application: When someone worthy is in front of you—guest, teacher, elder, devotee—offer respect and support promptly; do not postpone real obligations for more convenient or prestigious alternatives.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned brāhmaṇa arrives at the doorway with staff and water pot; the householder steps forward with arghya and flowers, offering a seat and respectful worship. In the background, another donation scene is paused—hands mid-motion—signaling that dharma demands priority to the present worthy guest.","primary_figures":["a learned brāhmaṇa (vidvān vipra)","a householder/donor","family/attendants holding arghya tray","a secondary brāhmaṇa in the background (recipient deferred)"],"setting":"threshold of a traditional home with rangoli, lamp, and a small shrine niche; offering tray with water, flowers, sandal paste","lighting_mood":"golden dusk with lamp glow","color_palette":["lamp gold","terracotta","jasmine white","teal","rose red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: doorway reception of an arriving brāhmaṇa; gold leaf highlights on lamps, arghya vessel, and halos; rich reds/greens; ornate borders; depict the donor offering flowers and water with gem-studded ornaments, while a paused gift tray in the background indicates proper priority.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate threshold scene with delicate expressions; soft dusk sky; fine detailing of rangoli and lamp; the brāhmaṇa’s calm dignity and the host’s reverence rendered with lyrical naturalism and gentle color transitions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized doorway and lamp; arghya tray prominent; expressive eyes and clear gestures of satkāra; strong red/yellow/green palette with decorative motifs around the frame.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical threshold welcome scene framed by floral and lotus borders; deep blue background with gold accents; include peacocks near the doorway and stylized lamps; subtle Vaishnava symbols on the tray to show the act as Hari-prītyartha."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["doorway bell","soft footsteps","water poured into arghya vessel","evening insects and distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सदार्हयेत् = सदा + अर्हयेत्; ददेद्दानम् = ददेत् + दानम्; दानमन्यस्मै = दानम् + अन्यस्मै
FAQs
It teaches that charity should be guided by propriety and respect: if a worthy, learned brāhmaṇa guest has arrived, one should honor him first rather than bypassing him to give elsewhere.
The verse prioritizes honoring the arrived guest—especially a learned brāhmaṇa—indicating that receiving and respecting a guest is itself a key dharmic duty.
No. It criticizes neglecting the present, deserving recipient; it frames the fault as 'tyaktvā'—abandoning the arrived learned guest—rather than charity in general.