Shloka 29
Fruits of Occasional (Festival-Specific) Charity — The Vena Episode
श्रद्धाभावेन दातव्यं बहुपुण्यकरं भवेत् । विष्णुरुवाच । विष्णुमुद्दिश्य यद्दानं कामनापरिकल्पितम्
śraddhābhāvena dātavyaṃ bahupuṇyakaraṃ bhavet | viṣṇuruvāca | viṣṇumuddiśya yaddānaṃ kāmanāparikalpitam
Eine Gabe soll im Glauben dargebracht werden; so wird sie zur Quelle reichen Verdienstes. Viṣṇu sprach: jene Spende, die in Hinwendung zu Viṣṇu gegeben wird, selbst wenn sie mit dem Wunsch nach Früchten ersonnen ist…
Viṣṇu
Concept: Dāna becomes greatly meritorious when performed with śraddhā and with Viṣṇu as the intentional object, even if motivated by desire.
Application: Before giving (money, food, time), pause to form a clear saṅkalpa: offer it mentally to Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa and give with steadiness rather than display; let desire for results be acknowledged but subordinated to devotion.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene donor stands before a small Viṣṇu shrine, palms joined, forming a silent saṅkalpa as he offers a vessel of grain and a cloth. Viṣṇu’s presence is suggested not by dramatic action but by a soft aura around the śālagrāma and tulasī leaves on the altar, emphasizing that inner faith transforms the act.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (as shrine presence/arcā)","devotee-donor","brāhmaṇa recipient (optional)"],"setting":"Temple alcove or household pūjā-room with śālagrāma, conch, lamp, and offering tray; calm, uncluttered sacred space.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sapphire blue","gold leaf","lotus pink","deep vermilion","warm sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu as arcā with śaṅkha-cakra, thick gold-leaf halo and ornate arch, donor offering a golden bowl of grain with folded hands, tulasī sprigs on the altar, rich reds and emerald greens, gem-studded ornaments, symmetrical South Indian shrine composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate household shrine scene, delicate linework, soft pastel walls, donor in simple dhotī forming saṅkalpa, small Viṣṇu icon with subtle aura, tulasī pot nearby, lyrical quietness, refined faces, minimal but elegant décor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Viṣṇu icon in deep blue with yellow-red-green costume accents, lamp flames and conch on a low altar, donor in profile offering with śraddhā, temple-wall aesthetic, large expressive eyes, rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Viṣṇu-centered altar framed by lotus borders, abundant floral motifs, deep indigo background with gold highlights, donor offering tray with tulasī leaves and lamps, intricate patterned textiles, devotional stillness with ornamental richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","oil-lamp crackle","soft conch shell","gentle silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रद्धाभावेन = श्रद्धा + अभावेन (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); विष्णुरुवाच = विष्णुः + उवाच; विष्णुमुद्दिश्य = विष्णुम् + उद्दिश्य; यद्दानं = यत् + दानम्.
FAQs
It teaches that charity should be performed with śraddhā (faith), because faith makes the act highly meritorious.
The verse frames dāna as spiritually elevated when it is consciously directed toward Viṣṇu, indicating a Vaiṣṇava devotional orientation to giving.
It acknowledges that some giving may be motivated by desired outcomes, yet introduces the principle that directing the act toward Viṣṇu is still significant; the sentence appears to continue beyond this excerpt to clarify the result.