Shloka 17
Account of the Ripening of Karma
Childlessness, Offspring, and Remedial Dharma
ब्राह्मणं चातिथिं चैव कुर्याद्भक्त्या प्रपूजनम् । अन्नदानं जलं चैव तथा देवालयं शुभम्
brāhmaṇaṃ cātithiṃ caiva kuryādbhaktyā prapūjanam | annadānaṃ jalaṃ caiva tathā devālayaṃ śubham
بالتعبّد، ينبغي إكرام البرهمن والضيف إكرامًا لائقًا؛ وكذلك تُبذل الصدقة بالطعام والماء، ويُنشأ أو يُدعَم معبدٌ مبارك للإله.
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within the chapter context)
Concept: Bhakti expressed through honoring brāhmaṇas and guests, giving food and water, and establishing/supporting a deity-temple is a complete household sādhana.
Application: Keep a daily habit of anna-jala-dāna (even small), treat visitors respectfully, and contribute time/resources to temple upkeep or community worship.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene temple courtyard where a householder offers a brass vessel of water and a leaf-plate of food to a brāhmaṇa and an atithi, both seated on clean mats. In the background, artisans raise a small Viṣṇu shrine—freshly carved pillars, garlands, and a sanctum lamp—suggesting ongoing support of a devalaya.","primary_figures":["devout householder","brāhmaṇa guest","traveler atithi","Viṣṇu (arcā-mūrti in sanctum)"],"setting":"temple courtyard with newly built sanctum, tulasī-vṛndāvana, donation vessels, flower baskets","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","emerald green","ivory white","sapphire blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotional scene of anna-jala-dāna and atithi-pūjā before a Viṣṇu shrine; gold leaf on temple arch, haloed arcā-mūrti, rich reds/greens, gem-like ornamentation, ornate borders, brass vessels gleaming.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate courtyard charity scene with refined faces, soft dawn gradients, flowering trees, gentle gestures of offering; cool yet luminous palette, lyrical naturalism, small shrine with fluttering flags.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized temple architecture, warm ochres and greens; central act of offering water and food, with Viṣṇu in the sanctum as a calm focal point, symmetrical composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Viṣṇu shrine framed by lotus and creeper borders; donors offering anna-jala in rhythmic pattern, peacocks and floral motifs, deep blue ground with gold detailing, celebratory devotional ambience."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","murmured mantras","clinking brass vessels","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चातिथिम् = च + अतिथिम्; चैव = च + एव; कुर्याद्भक्त्या = कुर्यात् + भक्त्या
FAQs
The verse recommends honoring brāhmaṇas and guests with devotion, giving food and water in charity, and supporting or establishing an auspicious temple.
It frames social duties (welcoming guests, honoring the learned, giving charity) as acts to be performed bhaktyā—devotionally—linking ethics with devotional intent.
It teaches hospitality, reverence for the virtuous and learned, generosity through essential gifts (food and water), and public spiritual welfare through maintaining sacred spaces.