Shloka 7
Means to Attain Vaikuṇṭha: The Glory of House-Donation and the Viṣṇudūtas–Yamadūtas Episode
ब्राह्मणस्थापने पुण्यं यद्वै भवति भो मुने । संख्यां कर्तुमशक्तस्तु तद्वेधाः सर्वकारकः
brāhmaṇasthāpane puṇyaṃ yadvai bhavati bho mune | saṃkhyāṃ kartumaśaktastu tadvedhāḥ sarvakārakaḥ
يا أيها الحكيم، إن الثواب الذي ينشأ حقًّا من إقامة البرهمن ورعايته لا يُحصى؛ يعجز المرء عن حسابه، فإن تلك السنّة المقدّسة هي سبب جميع الثمرات المبرورة.
Unspecified (context needed to confirm the dialogue pair within Brahma-khaṇḍa Adhyaya 6)
Concept: Supporting/establishing a brāhmaṇa (brāhmaṇa-sthāpana) yields immeasurable puṇya; the vidhi itself becomes a universal generator of auspicious results.
Application: Offer respectful support to learned, ethical teachers (food, shelter, fees for teaching, protection of study spaces), and prioritize integrity in giving (śraddhā, satya, ahiṃsā) over display.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene courtyard of a Vaiṣṇava āśrama where a householder respectfully offers a copper vessel of water, cloth, and dakṣiṇā to a composed brāhmaṇa seated on kuśa grass. Behind them, a subtle vision shows Viṣṇu’s lotus-navel with Brahmā, implying that dharma-support sustains creation itself.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa teacher","devout householder","subtle visionary form of Viṣṇu with lotus and Brahmā"],"setting":"forest-edge āśrama with tulasī planter, yajña-vedī, and palm-leaf manuscripts","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron ochre","lotus pink","sapphire blue","gold leaf","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dignified brāhmaṇa seated on a kuśa mat receiving dakṣiṇā from a humble devotee, with a small inset of Viṣṇu reclining and a lotus rising to Brahmā; heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch frame, traditional South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an āśrama scene with delicate brushwork—devotee offering gifts to a serene brāhmaṇa near a tulasī pot; cool greens and soft browns, lyrical trees and distant hills, refined faces, a faint celestial vignette of Viṣṇu’s lotus-navel in the sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments—brāhmaṇa and donor in profile near a yajña-vedī and tulasī, with a stylized Viṣṇu-lotus-Brahmā motif above; characteristic large eyes, red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional courtyard with lotus motifs and floral borders; central act of dāna to a brāhmaṇa framed by peacocks and vines, deep indigo background with gold highlights; subtle Vaiṣṇava symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) woven into the border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","rustling leaves","low drone of tanpura","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत् + वै → यद्वै (जश्त्व); कर्तुम् + अशक्तः → कर्तुमशक्तः (अनुस्वार/मकार-संधि); अशक्तः + तु → अशक्तस्तु (विसर्ग-संधि); तत् + वेधाः → तद्वेधाः (जश्त्व)।
FAQs
It refers to establishing or supporting a brāhmaṇa—i.e., ensuring a brāhmaṇa is properly maintained, settled, or enabled to live and perform sacred duties, which the text praises as a highly meritorious act.
It uses hyperbole to stress that the spiritual reward (puṇya) from such support is immeasurable, exceeding ordinary calculation or enumeration.
The verse promotes generosity and social-religious responsibility: sustaining those devoted to learning and ritual life is presented as a foundational dharmic act that yields broad spiritual benefits.