Shloka 25
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
शुक्लांबरधरः कृष्णैस्तिलैर्हुत्वा हुताशनम् । प्रदद्याद्ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तु तिलानेव समाहितः
śuklāṃbaradharaḥ kṛṣṇaistilairhutvā hutāśanam | pradadyādbrāhmaṇebhyastu tilāneva samāhitaḥ
শুক্ল বস্ত্ৰ পৰিধান কৰি, কৃষ্ণ তিল অগ্নিত আহুতি দি, তাৰ পাছত মন একাগ্ৰ কৰি বিপ্ৰসকলক তিল দান কৰিব।
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent within Svargakhaṇḍa 57).
Concept: Outer purity (white garments), inner composure (samāhita), and correct ritual sequence (homa then dāna) together make the act spiritually effective.
Application: Before giving, cultivate steadiness: simple clean attire, a brief prayer/saṅkalpa, then act—first offer gratitude (homa/prayer), then share resources (dāna).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a quiet household yajña-room, a devotee in spotless white sits before a small square fire altar, offering black sesame into the flames with a wooden ladle. After the homa, he rises with composed face and places a cloth bundle of sesame into the hands of waiting brāhmaṇas, the firelight reflecting like molten gold on copper utensils.","primary_figures":["devotee performing homa","brāhmaṇa recipients","Agni (personified subtly in flames)"],"setting":"Indoor ritual chamber with fire altar, copper lota, ladles, sesame bowls, white cloths, and a doorway opening to a courtyard.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["flame orange","ash gray","ivory white","sesame black","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: homa scene with a white-clad devotee offering black sesame into a bright agni, gold leaf used for flame highlights and vessel gleam, rich red-green architectural frame, brāhmaṇas receiving sesame gifts at the side, ornate border and embossed details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate interior with delicate fire and smoke curls, fine textile patterns on white garments, subtle expressions of concentration, brāhmaṇas at the threshold, warm firelight against cool wall tones, meticulous depiction of sesame grains.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined fire altar, stylized flames, devotee in white with clear mudrā, brāhmaṇas in symmetrical arrangement, earthy reds/yellows/greens, iconic ritual implements simplified yet recognizable.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central agni-kunda with rhythmic flame motifs, ornate borders of floral and sesame-pod patterns, deep blue-black ground contrasting with white garments and gold accents, brāhmaṇas receiving gifts in a balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["homa fire crackle","mantra chanting","wooden ladle tap","temple bell","soft footfalls"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śuklāṃbaradharaḥ = śukla-ambara-dharaḥ. tilairhutvā = tilaiḥ + hutvā. pradadyādbrāhmaṇebhyaḥ = pradadyāt + brāhmaṇebhyaḥ. tilāneva = tilān + eva.
FAQs
White garments signify ritual cleanliness and a sāttvika (pure, composed) disposition appropriate for homa and charitable giving.
Black sesame is traditionally used in expiatory and ancestral contexts; offering it into Agni is a purifying act and a formal ritual step before charity.
The verse links worship (homa) with generosity (dāna), teaching that ritual acts are completed and made meaningful through mindful giving to worthy recipients.