Shloka 23
The Greatness of Śukla Tīrtha: Bathing, Fasting, Charity, and Śiva Worship
तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण यज्ञैर्दानेन वा पुनः । देवदानेन या पुष्टिर्न सा क्रतुशतैरपि
tapasā brahmacaryeṇa yajñairdānena vā punaḥ | devadānena yā puṣṭirna sā kratuśatairapi
তপস্যা, ব্ৰহ্মচৰ্য, যজ্ঞ, দান আদি কৰ্মে যি পুষ্টি নাহে, দেবতালৈ অৰ্পিত দানে যি আধ্যাত্মিক পুষ্টি হয়, সেয়া শত যজ্ঞ কৰিলেও নাহে।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: ‘Devadāna’—offerings directed to the divine—yields a unique spiritual ‘puṣṭi’ (nourishment) surpassing even massive ritualism when performed without that focused sacred intent.
Application: Prioritize intentional, sanctified giving: offer food, lamps, or resources to a temple/holy cause with mantra and humility; make charity ‘God-centered’ rather than reputation-centered.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble householder places a small offering—flowers, a lamp, and a bowl of grains—before a radiant altar, while in the background a grand sacrificial arena fades into insignificance. The divine presence seems to ‘feed’ the soul: a soft aura flows from the altar into the giver’s heart, suggesting puṣṭi beyond ritual spectacle.","primary_figures":["devotee householder","Vishnu (as altar icon or subtle theophany)","priests (faint background at large yajña)"],"setting":"temple alcove or home shrine in the foreground; distant yajña-śālā with fire altars in the background","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp amber","deep indigo","vermillion","sandalwood beige","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: foreground shrine with Vishnu icon richly ornamented, devotee offering lamp and flowers, gold leaf radiance pouring outward, background depiction of a large yajña with many altars rendered smaller to show contrast, rich reds/greens, gem-studded jewelry on the deity, ornate arch (prabhāmaṇḍala).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate indoor shrine scene with delicate brushwork, soft chiaroscuro from a single lamp, devotee’s calm face, distant yajña scene outside through an archway, cool blues and warm lamp tones balanced, refined lines and lyrical symbolism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Vishnu icon with bold outlines and stylized ornaments, devotee in añjali posture, lamp flames emphasized, background yajña simplified as geometric fire altars, earthy pigments with red/yellow/green dominance and a controlled gold-like glow.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Vishnu/Krishna shrine framed by lotus and floral borders, multiple lamps (dīpa) and offerings, background miniature vedi-fire motifs, deep blues with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns suggesting sacred giving."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft mridangam pulse","ghee lamp crackle","low priestly chant","brief silence after the comparative claim"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यज्ञैर्दानेन = यज्ञैः + दानेन (ः + द → र्द्). पुष्टिर्न = पुष्टिः + न (ः + न → र्न्). क्रतुशतैरपि = क्रतुशतैः + अपि (ः + अ → र).
FAQs
It ranks devadāna (offerings given to the gods) as uniquely powerful for spiritual strengthening, beyond what austerity, celibacy, sacrifices, or general charity can yield—even in large quantity.
It acknowledges yajña and dāna as meritorious, but asserts that the specific merit called “puṣṭi” arising from devadāna surpasses even extensive sacrificial performance.
Religious practice is not only self-discipline and ritual quantity; intentional giving oriented toward the divine (devadāna) is presented as especially transformative and should be prioritized with sincerity.