Shloka 126
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
पात्रहस्ते प्रदातव्यं स्वल्पमेव नृपोत्तम । एवंविधस्य दानस्य विधियुक्तस्य यत्फलम्
pātrahaste pradātavyaṃ svalpameva nṛpottama | evaṃvidhasya dānasya vidhiyuktasya yatphalam
O Bester der Könige, selbst eine geringe Gabe soll unmittelbar in die Hände eines würdigen Empfängers gelegt werden. Die Frucht eines solchen dāna—so dargebracht und nach rechter Vorschrift—ist folgende:
Unspecified (dialogue context not provided in the input; likely a sage instructing a king within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Even a small gift becomes spiritually potent when offered directly into the hands of a worthy recipient, with proper rule and intention.
Application: Give personally and respectfully; verify need and worthiness; prioritize sincerity and correct conduct over display; treat giving as worship rather than transaction.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A righteous king stands with folded humility before a serene, radiant teacher, placing a small but precious gift directly into a worthy recipient’s open palms. The moment is intimate and rule-bound: the recipient’s hands are cupped like a ritual vessel, while attendants hold lamps and water-pots, emphasizing purity and proper procedure.","primary_figures":["a dharmic king (nṛpottama)","a venerable sage/ācārya","a worthy recipient (brāhmaṇa/poor devotee)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or hermitage threshold with a low altar, water pot (kalaśa), kusa grass, and a ledger-like palm-leaf to suggest vidhi.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron ochre","deep maroon","warm gold","leaf green","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a crowned nṛpottama offering a small gift into the cupped hands of a serene brāhmaṇa recipient, with the ācārya blessing behind; gold leaf halos, rich red-green textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate temple pillars, ritual vessels (kalaśa, lamp), highly polished finish, devotional symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet hermitage scene where the king gently places a small gift into the recipient’s hands; delicate brushwork, soft facial expressions, cool natural greens, distant hills, thin white outlines, lyrical trees and a small shrine, understated elegance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; the king and sage in frontal poise, large expressive eyes, ritual clarity—gift passing hand-to-hand; temple wall aesthetic with lamp flames, red-yellow-green palette, stylized lotus borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional courtyard with lotus borders and floral creepers; central act of dāna shown as sacred offering, peacocks near a water pot, intricate gold detailing, deep indigo background accents, ornate textile patterns framing the hands-to-hands transfer."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","low drone (tanpura)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वल्पमेव = स्वल्पम् + एव; यत्फलम् = यत् + फलम्
FAQs
It teaches that even a small donation becomes meaningful when it is given directly into the hands of a worthy recipient (pātra) and done in accordance with proper rule (vidhi).
It highlights respectful, intentional giving—ensuring the gift reaches the intended worthy person without negligence, contempt, or improper handling.
Sincerity and right method matter: modest help, offered respectfully to the right person at the right time and in the right way, yields greater moral and spiritual benefit than careless giving.