Shloka 45
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
सर्वखातप्रदानस्य फलमश्नाति धार्मिकः । ग्रहणे भास्करस्यैव भागीरथ्यां तटे वरे
sarvakhātapradānasya phalamaśnāti dhārmikaḥ | grahaṇe bhāskarasyaiva bhāgīrathyāṃ taṭe vare
ينال الرجل الصالح تمام ثمرة تقديم شتّى أنواع الصدقات—حين، وقت كسوف الشمس، يُقيم الشعيرة على الضفة المباركة لنهر بهاجيراثي (الغانغا).
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context likely part of a narrated discourse on tīrtha/eclipses and merit).
Concept: At a solar eclipse, rites performed on the Bhāgīrathī’s excellent bank confer the full fruit of ‘all kinds of gifts’ upon the righteous practitioner.
Application: On eclipse days (where culturally appropriate and safe), engage in japa, dāna, and mindful restraint; if not at Gaṅgā, emulate the spirit—charity, prayer, and purification—at local rivers/temples, dedicating merit to Nārāyaṇa.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the wide, shimmering bank of the Bhāgīrathī, devotees stand waist-deep in flowing water as the sun darkens into a ringed eclipse. Priests offer sesame and water (tarpana), while donors distribute cloth, food, and coins; the river glows with an inner light, as if reflecting Viṣṇu’s sustaining presence through the cosmic event.","primary_figures":["dhārmika donor","brāhmaṇa priests","pilgrims performing snāna","Sūrya (symbolic eclipse disk)","Gaṅgā-devī (personified or implied)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā riverbank with ghats, steps, prayer platforms, boats, and distant temples; eclipse visible overhead; offerings arranged on leaf plates and brass vessels.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["eclipse charcoal","river silver","brass gold","saffron","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand Gaṅgā ghat during solar eclipse with gold-leaf highlights on brass vessels and temple spires; central donor giving dāna to brāhmaṇas; pilgrims in the river; stylized eclipse disk with embossed gold rim; rich reds/greens in garments, gem-studded ornaments, ornate border with lotus and śaṅkha-cakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: expansive riverbank scene with delicate figures and atmospheric eclipse sky; cool indigo shadows over silver water; refined architecture of ghats and distant shrines; subtle emotional awe, fine brushwork, gentle ripples and boats.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold eclipse disk overhead; rhythmic rows of pilgrims and priests; strong black outlines; red/yellow/green palette with silver-blue river; iconic Gaṅgā presence suggested by a crowned river-goddess motif near the bank; temple-wall narrative energy.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Gaṅgā ghat framed by intricate floral borders; deep blue ground with gold detailing; repeated lotus and kalasha motifs; eclipse disk as central celestial ornament; devotees and cows/peacocks at the margins in Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation, emphasizing auspicious dāna and sacred water."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["river flow","conch shell","temple bells","murmured japa","crowd hush during eclipse"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: फलमश्नाति = फलम् + अश्नाति; भास्करस्यैव = भास्करस्य + एव.
FAQs
It highlights the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā) as a premier tīrtha, where ritual acts performed on its bank are presented as exceptionally merit-bearing.
While not explicitly devotional in wording, it frames sacred time (solar eclipse) and sacred place (Gaṅgā’s bank) as amplifiers of religious acts—an approach common in Purāṇic piety that supports faith-driven observance.
The verse promotes dāna (charity) and dharma: a righteous person gains great spiritual benefit by aligning generosity with auspicious sacred occasions and locations.