Shloka 28
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
फलदाता नरो गच्छेत्त्रिदिवं च द्विजोत्तम । भुंक्ते कल्पसहस्राणि फलं तत्रामृतोपमम्
phaladātā naro gacchettridivaṃ ca dvijottama | bhuṃkte kalpasahasrāṇi phalaṃ tatrāmṛtopamam
يا أفضلَ ذوي المولدَين، من يهبُ الثمرَ يمضي إلى العالم السماوي، ويتمتّع هناك لآلافِ الكَلْبَات بثوابٍ يشبه الرحيق، الأَمْرِتَا.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa; addressing a dvijottama)
Concept: Even simple gifts like fruit, when given with purity, yield vast puṇya and celestial enjoyment.
Application: Make small, consistent acts of giving—food, fruit, nourishment—especially to guests, the needy, and sacred persons; prioritize purity and intention over grandeur.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble donor offers a basket of ripe fruits to a serene dvija or temple attendant, while a translucent vision of Svarga appears above—celestial gardens, wish-fulfilling trees, and nectar-like radiance. The scene emphasizes that ordinary generosity opens extraordinary horizons.","primary_figures":["a householder donor","a dvija recipient/temple attendant","celestial devas (faint, visionary)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or āśrama threshold with a fruiting tree nearby; a sky-vision of Svarga layered above.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["mango yellow","leaf green","lotus pink","sapphire blue","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: donor presenting a fruit basket before a calm recipient, gold-leaf halos and ornate arch, fruits rendered jewel-like, upper register showing Svarga with kalpavṛkṣa and devas in miniature, rich reds/greens and embossed gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate fruit textures, soft naturalism, a dreamy cloud-window revealing Svarga gardens, cool blues and fresh greens with warm fruit tones, refined linework and gentle expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized fruit offerings and hand gestures, warm yellow-red background, a circular celestial vignette above with simplified devas and a kalpavṛkṣa, temple-wall symmetry and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central offering of fruits framed by lotus and creeper borders, peacocks near a fruiting tree, upper band with celestial garden motifs, deep blue ground with gold highlights and intricate floral detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft mridangam pulse","birds in a garden","gentle breeze"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गच्छेत्त्रिदिवं = गच्छेत् + त्रिदिवम् (त् + त् → त्त्); तत्रामृतोपमम् = तत्र + अमृतोपमम् (स्वरसन्धि)
FAQs
It teaches the religious merit (puṇya) of dāna: even a simple gift like fruit is said to lead to heavenly attainment and long enjoyment of its results.
Tridiva literally means “three heavens,” a common Purāṇic term for the celestial realm of the devas—i.e., heaven as the destination earned by meritorious acts.
Generosity in everyday life: offering nourishing, accessible items to others is portrayed as a powerful virtuous act with far-reaching spiritual consequences.