Shloka 16
Fruits of Righteousness: Charity, Faith, and the Path to Yama
स प्रयाति सर्वकामं स्थानं पैतामहं नृप । श्रद्धयायेन विप्राय दत्तं काकिणिमात्रकम्
sa prayāti sarvakāmaṃ sthānaṃ paitāmahaṃ nṛpa | śraddhayāyena viprāya dattaṃ kākiṇimātrakam
O König, er gelangt zur alles erfüllenden Sphäre Brahmās, wenn er—im Glauben—einem Brāhmaṇa auch nur eine Kākiṇī, eine winzige Münze, darreicht.
Unspecified (addressing a king: nṛpa)
Concept: Even the smallest gift, when offered with śraddhā to a worthy recipient, becomes spiritually potent and leads to exalted attainments.
Application: Practice micro-charity daily (food, coin, time) with reverence and non-display; prioritize sincerity over scale; support teachers/priests/learned persons and charitable kitchens.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble donor, hands folded in śraddhā, offers a tiny kākiṇī coin to a serene brāhmaṇa seated on a kusa mat. Above them, a translucent vision of Paitāmaha-loka appears—Brahmā on a lotus-throne within a radiant cosmic lotus, suggesting the vast fruit of a small gift.","primary_figures":["a devout householder (dātā)","a brāhmaṇa recipient","Brahmā (visionary realm)"],"setting":"Village threshold near a small shrine; kusa mat, water pot, and a lotus pond hinted in the background; the sky opens into a celestial lotus-mandala.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","ivory white","emerald green","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a devotee offering a tiny kākiṇī coin to a seated brāhmaṇa on a kusa mat, with a gold-leaf haloed vision of Brahmā on a lotus above; rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch frame, embossed gold lotus motifs, traditional South Indian iconography and symmetrical composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene of a humble donor presenting a small coin to a calm brāhmaṇa, delicate brushwork and refined faces; a soft cloud-window reveals Brahmā seated on a lotus in a pale celestial mandala; cool greens and blues, lyrical trees, thin white outlines, gentle gradients.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the donor in añjali offering a tiny coin, brāhmaṇa receiving with blessing gesture; above, Brahmā on lotus with concentric aureole; red-ochre background, yellow-green garments, stylized eyes, temple-wall aesthetic with floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional charity scene framed by intricate lotus borders; central act of dāna in the foreground, while the upper register shows a cosmic lotus with Brahmā enthroned; deep blue ground with gold detailing, floral vines, peacocks at corners, delicate white highlights and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","gentle drone (tanpura)","distant birds","silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वकामं स्थानं (no sandhi change). श्रद्धयायेन → श्रद्धया + येन. काकिणिमात्रकम् is a तत्पुरुष compound (काकिण्याः मात्रकम्). दत्तं agrees with implied दानम्/मात्रकम् (neuter).
FAQs
The verse teaches that the spiritual result of charity depends primarily on śraddhā (faith/sincere intention), not on the size of the gift—even a tiny offering to a brāhmaṇa is said to yield exalted merit.
“Paitāmaha” means “of Pitāmaha (Brahmā),” referring to Brahmā’s abode (Brahmaloka). The verse presents it as an “all-fulfilling” destination attained through faithful giving.
It emphasizes sincerity, generosity within one’s means, and respect for worthy recipients—teaching that humble offerings made with genuine faith are spiritually significant.