Shloka 16
Description of the Worship of the Planets
रौप्यं च दक्षिणादानं यथाशक्ति प्रकीर्तितं । दशाद्यरिष्टे चोत्पन्ने सितमश्वं प्रदापयेत्
raupyaṃ ca dakṣiṇādānaṃ yathāśakti prakīrtitaṃ | daśādyariṣṭe cotpanne sitamaśvaṃ pradāpayet
وقد شُرِعَتْ الدكشِنا (dakṣiṇā) من الفضة بحسب الاستطاعة. وإذا نشأت نازلةٌ مشؤومة تبدأ بدَشا (فترة نحس)، فليُهدَ حصانٌ أبيض عطيةً.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (contextual narrator/sage voice in Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa).
Concept: Dāna (dakṣiṇā) according to capacity is dharmic and remedial; generosity becomes a spiritual countermeasure during adversity.
Application: When facing difficult periods, respond with disciplined charity and ethical action within your means; avoid superstition-driven excess, keep compassion and steadiness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worried patron consults a calm priest as an ‘ariṣṭa’ omen is discussed; beside them, a gleaming silver tray is prepared as dakṣiṇā. In the courtyard, a serene white horse—garlanded and anointed—stands ready to be gifted, transforming fear into dharmic action.","primary_figures":["ritual patron","officiating brāhmaṇa","white horse (gift)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or yajña-śālā with gift items arranged: silver vessels, cloth bundles, and a decorated horse near a gate.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["silver sheen","milk white","marigold orange","sacred vermilion","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: patron offering silver dakṣiṇā to a priest, a white horse adorned with gold-embossed tack and garlands, gold leaf highlights on ornaments and halos, rich crimson background, auspicious yet remedial mood.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative courtyard scene with a garlanded white horse, priest receiving silver, soft natural light, gentle hills in the distance, refined gestures conveying reassurance during ominous times.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figures with bold outlines, prominent white horse in profile, ritual objects simplified into iconic forms, warm lamp tones, emphasis on dharma and protection.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical arrangement of dāna items with ornate borders, central white horse decorated with floral motifs, deep blue and gold textile patterns, small bells and garlands rendered intricately, devotional remedial theme."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["distant thunder (subtle)","temple bells","horse snort (soft)","mantra drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चोत्पन्ने = च + उत्पन्ने; सितमश्वं = सितम् + अश्वम्; दशाद्यरिष्टे = दशा + आदि + अरिष्टे.
FAQs
It prescribes giving silver as dakṣiṇā, explicitly calibrated to one’s means (yathāśakti), emphasizing proportional, feasible generosity.
When such an ominous condition arises, the verse recommends donating a white horse as a remedial gift.
That religious giving should be sincere and responsible—performed according to capacity—so duty is fulfilled without hypocrisy or harm.