Shloka 55
Annadāna and the Obstruction of Viṣṇu-Darśana; Vāmadeva’s Teaching and the Vāsudeva Stotra Prelude
वप्तुकामो भवेत्क्षेत्री ततः क्षेत्रे प्रवापयेत् । तद्वद्भूपप्रसन्नाय विप्राय परिदीयते
vaptukāmo bhavetkṣetrī tataḥ kṣetre pravāpayet | tadvadbhūpaprasannāya viprāya paridīyate
যদি কৃষকে বীজ বপন কৰিব খোজে, তেন্তে প্ৰথমে ক্ষেত্ৰ সাজু কৰি তাৰ পাছত সেই ক্ষেত্ৰতে বীজ ছটিয়াব। তেনেকৈ ৰজাৰ প্ৰতি প্ৰসন্ন আৰু অনুকূল ব্ৰাহ্মণক দান অৰ্পণ কৰা উচিত।
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa; traditional dialogue context often runs Pulastya → Bhīṣma, but this verse alone does not name the speaker).
Concept: Merit-bearing action requires proper preparation: as sowing follows field-preparation, so dāna should be offered to a receptive, well-disposed brāhmaṇa—right context and right recipient amplify spiritual fruit.
Application: Before giving—clarify intention, choose trustworthy recipients/causes, and offer respectfully; cultivate relationships with teachers and communities so giving becomes seva rather than transaction.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A farmer carefully ploughs and levels a field, sprinkling water and removing stones before sowing golden seeds. In a parallel vignette, a king approaches a calm brāhmaṇa with folded hands, offering a gift on a clean cloth—suggesting that inner preparation and respectful approach make charity fruitful.","primary_figures":["a farmer (kṣetrī)","a king (dāna-kartā)","a brāhmaṇa (pātra)"],"setting":"Split-scene: agrarian field with plough and oxen; nearby a shaded hermitage courtyard with kusa grass seat, water pot, and a small Viṣṇu emblem on a wooden post.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm ochre","harvest gold","copper brown","sage green","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dual-panel composition—left, farmer ploughing a stylized field; right, king offering dāna to a brāhmaṇa seated on a decorated āsana; gold leaf on the gift cloth and ornaments, rich reds/greens in attire, embossed halo-like motifs around the act of dāna.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle rural scene with fine lines—plough furrows like rhythmic patterns; the hermitage courtyard rendered with cool shadows, refined faces, subtle gestures of humility; distant hills and a small shrine detail.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—farmer and oxen in dynamic curve, brāhmaṇa seated with calm gaze; natural pigments, temple-wall aesthetic, ritual vessels and kusa grass clearly stylized.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of vines and lotuses; central motif of a field as a lotus-mandala where seeds are golden dots; to the side, the dāna scene with decorative textiles, peacocks and cows as auspicious witnesses, deep blue background with gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["plough creak","soft wind","distant temple bell","quiet hermitage ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेत्क्षेत्री = भवेत् + क्षेत्री; तद्वद्भूपप्रसन्नाय = तद्वत् + भूपप्रसन्नाय
FAQs
It uses the farming metaphor to teach discernment in giving: just as sowing requires a prepared field, charity should be placed where it is most fitting—here, to a brāhmaṇa who is favorably disposed and thus an appropriate recipient in the stated royal-ethical context.
The comparison emphasizes intentionality and suitability: results arise when an action is done in the right place and manner—seed in a prepared field, and gifts to a worthy recipient.
It advises donors to give thoughtfully rather than indiscriminately, considering the recipient’s character and relational context so that the gift supports dharma and yields beneficial outcomes.