Shloka 67
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
तिलतैलप्रदीपस्य तथान्यस्यार्द्धकं फलम् । मासैकं जलदानस्य फलेनेश्वरतां व्रजेत्
tilatailapradīpasya tathānyasyārddhakaṃ phalam | māsaikaṃ jaladānasya phaleneśvaratāṃ vrajet
يُقال إن ثواب إهداء مصباحٍ يُوقَد بزيت السمسم هو نصف ثواب قربانٍ أعظم؛ غير أنّ ثمرة سَقْي الماء والتصدّق به مدة شهرٍ واحد تُفضي إلى نيل السيادة والرخاء (إيشڤراتا īśvaratā).
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Sustained, life-supporting charity (jala-dāna) yields higher fruit than single ritual offerings; continuity of compassion ripens into prosperity and elevated status.
Application: Keep a daily water-charity habit for a fixed vow-period (e.g., one month): provide drinking water to travelers, animals, or in a public pot; pair it with a simple prayer to Viṣṇu.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A roadside rest pavilion where a devotee sets a clay pot of cool water beneath a leafy canopy, while a sesame-oil lamp burns steadily before a small Viṣṇu emblem. Travelers and animals approach in gratitude; the air feels purified, as if merit itself has become visible.","primary_figures":["a humble donor (gṛhastha)","travelers","a small Viṣṇu icon or śālagrāma on a pedestal"],"setting":"village path with a chātrī/rest-shed, water-pot stand, tulasī planter nearby, simple altar with lamp","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","clay brown","sesame-gold","leaf green","indigo shadow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene donor offering a sesame-oil lamp and placing a decorated water pot for jala-dāna before a small Viṣṇu shrine, gold leaf halo around the deity emblem, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments on the lamp stand, ornate arch framing the altar, finely patterned floor tiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet roadside pavilion with a clay water pot and a tiny lamp before a Viṣṇu symbol, delicate brushwork showing morning mist, soft greens and cool blues, lyrical trees and distant hills, refined faces of travelers receiving water with gratitude.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures of the donor and travelers, stylized Viṣṇu emblem with radiant aura, natural pigment palette of red, yellow, green, and black, temple-wall aesthetic with decorative borders of lotus and conch motifs, lamp flame rendered as a sharp teardrop of light.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central altar with a glowing lamp and water pot offered to Viṣṇu, lotus motifs and conch patterns in the border, peacocks perched on the pavilion roof, deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate floral vines surrounding the scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","lamp crackle","distant footsteps","water poured into a pot","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तिलतैलप्रदीपस्य = तिल + तैल + प्रदीपस्य; तथान्यस्यार्द्धकम् = तथा + अन्यस्य + अर्द्धकम् (अ + अ → आ); मासैकम् = मास + एकम्; फलेनेश्वरताम् = फलेन + ईश्वरताम् (अ + ई → ए).
FAQs
The verse highlights jaladāna (donating water) performed consistently for one month as yielding exceptionally high merit, described as leading to īśvaratā (lordly prosperity/exalted status).
It mentions the merit of offering a sesame-oil lamp (tilataila-pradīpa) and frames it as a comparative measure, while emphasizing that sustained water-donation produces a superior result.
It teaches that simple, life-supporting generosity—like providing water—when done steadily over time, is spiritually powerful and socially beneficial.