Shloka 26
Narration of the Greatness of Harivāsara
Ekādaśī, the Day Sacred to Hari
संतुष्टमनसो येऽपि तेषां विष्णुपुरं ध्रुवम् । दुर्भिक्षकालमासाद्य प्राणिभ्यो ये नरोत्तमाः
saṃtuṣṭamanaso ye'pi teṣāṃ viṣṇupuraṃ dhruvam | durbhikṣakālamāsādya prāṇibhyo ye narottamāḥ
Selbst jene, deren Geist zufrieden und gesammelt ist—für sie ist die Wohnstatt Viṣṇus gewiss; und die Besten unter den Menschen, die in Zeiten der Hungersnot den Lebewesen Speise und Beistand geben, gelangen ebenfalls dorthin.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Brahma-khaṇḍa narration)
Concept: Santoṣa (contentment) and dayā-dāna (compassionate giving, especially in famine) are powerful dharmic acts that lead to Viṣṇu’s realm.
Application: In times of scarcity—personal or societal—prioritize sharing essentials, support food relief, and practice contentment to reduce harm caused by greed and panic.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A parched landscape under a pale sky shows villagers and animals weakened by famine. A calm, content-minded donor distributes grain and water with gentle hands, while a subtle aura of Viṣṇu’s protection forms a lotus-shaped canopy above the recipients, hinting that compassion in crisis opens the way to Viṣṇupura.","primary_figures":["a compassionate donor (narottama)","hungry villagers","animals/birds as prāṇis","Viṣṇu’s protective aura (symbolic)"],"setting":"Drought-stricken village edge with cracked earth, a small relief shelter, and a distant temple flag fluttering faintly.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["dusty ochre","pale turquoise","clay brown","white linen","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central donor offering bowls of rice and water, recipients including children and animals; above, a small Viṣṇu medallion with gold leaf halo blessing the scene; rich ornamentation on donor’s garments, gold accents on vessels, devotional realism with iconic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative drought scene with delicate figures and expressive eyes; subtle compassion in gestures, muted earth tones, a faint celestial Vaikuṇṭha glow in the upper corner, lyrical landscape with sparse trees and distant hills.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized cracked earth patterns; donor in frontal calm pose, recipients arranged in rhythmic bands; Viṣṇu’s aura as lotus mandala above, warm reds/yellows with green accents for hope.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central anna-dāna scene framed by lotus and Tulasi-like foliage borders; peacocks subdued, cows included as recipients; deep blue medallion of Viṣṇu above, intricate floral motifs contrasting scarcity with divine abundance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["dry wind","soft handbell","murmur of prayer","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: येऽपि = ये + अपि; दुर्भिक्षकालमासाद्य = दुर्भिक्षकालम् + आसाद्य.
FAQs
It states that reaching Viṣṇu’s abode (Viṣṇupura/Vaikuṇṭha) is assured for those with a contented mind and for noble people who help living beings during famine.
By linking the goal associated with Viṣṇu (His abode) to inner contentment and compassionate giving, it frames devotion as expressed through character and merciful action, not merely ritual.
In crisis—especially famine—one should protect and support life through generosity and care for all beings; such compassion is treated as a highest human virtue.