Shloka 15
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
द्विगुणे द्विगुणं विद्याच्छतं चैव चतुर्गुणे । विंशत्किष्कुप्रमाणां तु दद्यात्पुष्करिणीं तु यः
dviguṇe dviguṇaṃ vidyācchataṃ caiva caturguṇe | viṃśatkiṣkupramāṇāṃ tu dadyātpuṣkariṇīṃ tu yaḥ
জানিবা, মাপ দুগুণ হ’লে ফল দুগুণ হয়; আৰু চাৰিগুণ হ’লে সেয়া শতগুণ হয়। আৰু যি জনে বিশ কিষ্কু প্ৰমাণৰ পুষ্কৰিণী—পদ্মসৰোবৰ—দান/নির্মাণ কৰে, সি—
Unknown (context not provided; likely within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa narrative dialogue)
Concept: Merit scales with the magnitude of public-benefit water works: increasing the gift (size/measure) multiplies spiritual fruit dramatically.
Application: When giving, prioritize projects that keep giving—water conservation, temple tanks, community ponds; do them with transparency and long-term maintenance plans.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A newly consecrated lotus-pond spreads wide, its surface covered with pink lotuses and floating lamps; stone steps descend into clear water where pilgrims perform snāna. The donor stands with folded hands as the pond’s measured expanse is marked, and the air shimmers with the sense of multiplied merit.","primary_figures":["a donor and family","pilgrims performing snāna","temple attendants","lotus-filled pond as central motif"],"setting":"Temple complex with a large stepped tank (puṣkariṇī), carved ghats, and a small shrine reflected in water","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["lotus pink","midnight blue","silver white","stone gray","lamp gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand temple tank filled with lotuses and floating lamps, stepped ghats with pilgrims bathing; donor in ornate attire offering a golden pot; heavy gold leaf on lamps, shrine, and decorative borders; rich crimson and emerald accents, jewel-like ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene moonlit temple pond with delicate lotuses, soft reflections, and fine architectural detail; pilgrims in gentle motion on ghats; cool blues and silvers with pink highlights, lyrical atmosphere and refined faces.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized rectangular tank with bold outlines, repeating lotus motifs, pilgrims in rhythmic poses; strong red/yellow/green palette with black contouring, temple-wall composition emphasizing sacred geometry and auspicious repetition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central puṣkariṇī rendered as a lotus mandala, dense floral borders, deep indigo ground with gold filigree; floating lamps and lotuses in intricate patterns, peacocks at corners, shrine reflection stylized for devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["water lapping on steps","evening bells","conch shell","chanting pilgrims","crickets under moonlight"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विद्याच्छतम् = विद्यात् + शतम् (त् + श् → च्छ्); चैव = च + एव; विंशत्किष्कुप्रमाणाम् = विंशति + किष्कु + प्रमाणाम्; दद्यात्पुष्करिणीम् = दद्यात् + पुष्करिणीम् (त् + प् → त्प्)
FAQs
The verse praises the meritorious act of providing a puṣkariṇī (a pond or water-tank, often lotus-filled), described with a specific traditional measurement.
Kiṣku is a traditional unit of measure used in classical Sanskrit texts; here it specifies the intended size/extent of the pond being donated or constructed.
Creating water sources is treated as a high form of public welfare (dharma), supporting pilgrims, communities, animals, and ritual life—hence it is often linked with increased religious merit.