Shloka 3
The Glory of Śrāddha at Sacred Fords and the Determination of the Kutapa Time
तत्र दत्तं हुतं जप्तमनन्तं भवति ध्रुवम् । पितॄणां वल्लभं नित्यमृषीणां परमं मतम्
tatra dattaṃ hutaṃ japtamanantaṃ bhavati dhruvam | pitṝṇāṃ vallabhaṃ nityamṛṣīṇāṃ paramaṃ matam
Dort wird alles, was als Dāna gegeben, in das heilige Feuer geopfert oder in Japa rezitiert wird, gewiss unendlich. Es ist den Pitṛs (Ahnen) stets lieb und gilt als die höchste Lehre der Ṛṣis.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa narrative).
Concept: Sacred place amplifies dharmic acts—dāna, homa, and japa—into inexhaustible merit, pleasing pitṛs and endorsed by ṛṣis.
Application: Choose a holy setting (temple, tīrtha, or even a consecrated home altar) for regular japa and periodic charity; include pitṛ-remembering (tarpana/annadāna) to harmonize devotion with ancestral obligations.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene tīrtha-bank where a householder offers ghee into a small sacred fire while softly counting japa beads; nearby, a simple charity-gift is placed into a mendicant’s hands. In the subtle sky, luminous pitṛs receive the offering with calm approval, while distant sages gesture as if affirming the teaching.","primary_figures":["a yajamāna (devotee/householder)","a muni (sage)","pitṛs (ancestral spirits, subtle forms)","a brāhmaṇa recipient of dāna"],"setting":"riverbank tīrtha with a small yajña-kuṇḍa, kusa grass, water pot, and a modest shrine-stone","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","river jade-green","ash-white","lotus pink","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a tranquil riverbank tīrtha with a seated yajamāna performing homa before a small square kuṇḍa, right hand offering ghee, left holding a japa-mālā; a brāhmaṇa receives dāna; above, stylized pitṛs in soft halos; ornate arch framing, heavy gold leaf on flames, jewelry, and halos; rich vermilion and emerald background, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate riverbank scene with fine linework—yajamāna by a tiny fire altar, sage seated under a tree, subtle translucent pitṛ-figures in the sky; cool morning mist, pale blues and greens, lyrical naturalism, refined faces, distant hills and a winding river, minimal gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments—devotee at homa, sage blessing, pitṛs as stylized celestial forms; temple-wall aesthetic with red/yellow/green dominance, large expressive eyes, rhythmic flame motifs, decorative borders of lotus and creepers.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional tīrtha tableau with ornate floral borders and lotus motifs; central devotee offering at a small shrine with japa-mālā; symbolic pitṛs in circular medallions above; deep indigo ground with gold highlights, intricate patterns, peacocks and waterfowl near the river, Nathdwara-like ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["gentle temple bells","flowing water","soft crackle of sacred fire","distant conch shell","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जप्तमनन्तं = जप्तम् + अनन्तम् (म् + अ → म). नित्यमृषीणां = नित्यम् + ऋषीणाम् (म् + ऋ → मृ). ध्रुवम् here functions adverbially (avyayavat).
FAQs
It states that in the specified sacred setting (“there”), charity, fire-offerings, and mantra-recitation yield “ananta” (endless) results—an assurance emphasized by the word dhruvam (“certainly”).
The verse says such acts are nityam vallabha (“always dear”) to the Pitṛs, implying ancestral satisfaction and the strengthening of pitṛ-related duties through these religious practices.
It elevates disciplined giving, worship through sacrifice, and steady spiritual practice (japa) as enduring virtues, endorsed as “the highest view of the sages,” encouraging consistent, selfless religious conduct.