Shloka 29
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
शाकं यच्छति यो मर्त्यो शिवस्यभवनं द्विज । याति कल्पद्वयं भुंक्ते दुर्ल्लभं पायसं सुरैः
śākaṃ yacchati yo martyo śivasyabhavanaṃ dvija | yāti kalpadvayaṃ bhuṃkte durllabhaṃ pāyasaṃ suraiḥ
O Brāhmaṇa, der Sterbliche, der in Shivas Wohnstatt Gemüse darbringt, gelangt in den Himmel und genießt dort zwei Kalpas lang das seltene Pāyasa, den süßen Milchreis, den selbst die Götter kaum erlangen.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Adhyāya 24)
Concept: Offering simple food (śāka) at a sacred abode accrues great puṇya; sacred giving is not limited to costly items.
Application: Support temples and community kitchens with practical staples (vegetables, grains); treat feeding as worship; keep offerings clean and timely.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee arrives at a Śiva temple carrying a basket of fresh greens; priests prepare a simple naivedya while, in a visionary overlay, celestial beings present a golden bowl of pāyasa. The contrast between humble vegetables and divine sweet reward underscores the Purāṇic logic of magnified merit.","primary_figures":["Śiva liṅga (presiding icon)","a devotee donor","temple priest","celestial attendants (visionary)"],"setting":"Stone Śiva temple sanctum with lamp flames, bilva leaves, and a side area for offering preparation.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["stone gray","bilva green","lamp-flame amber","vermillion","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva liṅga in sanctum with gold-leaf arch, devotee offering a basket of greens, priests with ritual vessels, a small upper panel showing devas offering pāyasa in a golden bowl, rich reds/greens, embossed gold detailing and traditional South Indian temple motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate temple courtyard with delicate depiction of leafy vegetables, warm lamplight against cool stone, a cloud-like celestial vignette with pāyasa bowl, refined faces and gentle devotional mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized liṅga and lamp flames, strong red/yellow/green pigments, rhythmic temple patterns, a circular celestial inset with golden pāyasa, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: shrine scene framed by floral borders; central liṅga with lamps, devotee offering greens, peacocks and lotus motifs at edges, deep blue background with gold highlights, a medallion showing pāyasa reward."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","damaru-like soft rhythm","incense crackle","murmured mantras"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवस्यभवनम् = शिवस्य + भवनम् (अ + भ → अभ). दुर्ल्लभम् written; standard दुर्लभम्. भुंक्ते = भुङ्क्ते (anusvāra orthography).
FAQs
Offering śāka (vegetables/greens) as a gift or offering at Śiva’s abode (temple or sacred residence).
Attainment of heaven and enjoyment for two kalpas of pāyasa (sweet rice), described as difficult even for the gods to obtain.
Even simple, accessible gifts—when offered with devotion at a sacred place—are presented as spiritually potent and capable of yielding great merit.