Shloka 57
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
दानं दाता प्रतिग्राही न स्मरेच्च न याचते । निरये चोभयोर्वासो यावच्चंद्र दिवाकरौ
dānaṃ dātā pratigrāhī na smarecca na yācate | niraye cobhayorvāso yāvaccaṃdra divākarau
In Sachen Almosen sollen weder der Gebende noch der Empfangende es später wieder zur Sprache bringen, noch soll man darum bitten. Andernfalls werden beide in der Hölle wohnen, solange Mond und Sonne währen.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa context; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Dāna must be free from bargaining, boasting, reminders, or solicitation; otherwise both parties incur demerit.
Application: Give quietly; receive without entitlement; avoid publicizing gifts or pressuring donors—keep charity dignified and non-transactional.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A giver places a covered vessel of grain and cloth at a brāhmaṇa’s feet, both figures averting their gaze in mutual humility. Above them, the sun and moon appear as steady witnesses, while a faint shadow of naraka lingers at the edge—warning against pride and solicitation.","primary_figures":["giver (gṛhastha)","receiver brāhmaṇa (dvija)","sun (Sūrya) and moon (Candra) as symbolic witnesses"],"setting":"Quiet āśrama veranda with a tulasi pot and a small yajña-kuṇḍa in the background (symbolic, not textual).","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["soft saffron","ivory white","leaf green","sky blue","warm gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: symmetrical composition—giver offering a covered dāna-pātra, brāhmaṇa receiving with restrained mudrā; sun and moon in the upper corners as gold-leaf medallions; ornate borders, rich reds/greens, gold leaf highlighting vessels and halos, dignified South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle, lyrical scene on an āśrama porch; delicate gestures showing ‘no asking, no reminding’; sun and moon painted as calm celestial discs; cool pastel palette with fine textile patterns and minimal architecture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and flat pigments—two figures in composed postures, sun and moon as stylized emblems; emphasis on moral clarity through strong reds, yellows, and greens; temple-wall feel with decorative creeper motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central dāna scene framed by lotus vines; sun and moon as ornate roundels; deep blue background with gold highlights; peacocks and floral borders suggesting auspiciousness and restraint."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","temple bells distant","morning birds","measured silence after the warning line"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्मरेच्च = स्मरेत् + च (त् + च → च्च). चोभयोः = च + उभयोः. यावच्चंद्र = यावत् + चन्द्रः (त् + च → च्च).
FAQs
It teaches that charity should be given and accepted without later reminders, boasting, or repeated requests—dāna should be free from bargaining and self-interest.
Because both can corrupt the act of charity: the giver by repeatedly mentioning it, and the receiver by repeatedly asking—both turn dāna into a transactional act.
Give quietly and without expecting recognition, and receive without pressuring others; preserve the purity of generosity and gratitude.