Shloka 196
The Greatness of Puṣkara: Tripuṣkara Pilgrimage, Sacred Geography, and the Doctrine of Self-Restraint
कंदमूलफलैर्वापि तर्पयिष्यति यो मुनिम् । सप्तर्षिस्थानमासाद्य मोदते शास्वतीः समाः
kaṃdamūlaphalairvāpi tarpayiṣyati yo munim | saptarṣisthānamāsādya modate śāsvatīḥ samāḥ
Wer einen Muni zufriedenstellt, selbst nur mit Wurzeln, Knollen und Früchten, gelangt zur Stätte der Sieben Ṛṣi und erfreut sich dort durch ewige Jahre.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa Adhyaya 19)
Concept: Even simple hospitality to a muni—roots, tubers, fruits—bears immense fruit; intention and reverence outweigh material opulence.
Application: Practice respectful hospitality; offer what is available with purity; support spiritual teachers and seekers without calculating status or return.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a forest hermitage, a traveler-householder offers a simple leaf-bowl of kandamūla and fruits to a serene muni seated on a deer-skin. Above the treetops, the Saptarṣi constellation appears as seven radiant sages in the night sky, hinting at the promised realm.","primary_figures":["muni (sage)","householder devotee","forest hermits (optional)","Saptarṣis (celestial forms)"],"setting":"Āśrama clearing with thatched hut, sacred fire, fruit trees, and a small stream; night sky visible through canopy.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["leaf green","earth brown","moon silver","indigo night","saffron glow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: forest āśrama with a muni receiving humble kandamūla-phala offering, ornate gold-leaf halo around the sage, celestial Saptarṣis depicted above as seven crowned figures in a starry band; rich reds/greens, gem-like ornaments, decorative arch framing the scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hermitage scene with fine brushwork, cool indigo night and silver moonlight, subtle expressions of humility and blessing, Saptarṣi stars rendered as tiny luminous points forming seven sage silhouettes, lyrical trees and stream.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized āśrama with bold outlines, the muni with large expressive eyes blessing the giver, kandamūla and fruits clearly patterned, star-band above with seven iconic sage faces, warm red-yellow-green pigments.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border with forest vines and lotus motifs; central vignette of muni-sevā with offerings; upper register shows Saptarṣis as decorative star medallions; deep blue ground with intricate white detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["forest birds","crackling hermitage fire","soft tanpura drone","night insects","gentle stream"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kaṃdamūlaphalair vā api (…aiḥ + vā); saptarṣisthānam āsādya (sapta-ṛṣi-sthānam + āsādya).
FAQs
It states that even modest forest foods—roots, tubers, and fruits—offered with sincerity to a sage can yield great spiritual merit, leading to exalted post-mortem joy.
It denotes the abode or realm associated with the Seven Sages (Saptarṣis), presented here as a meritorious destination attained through reverent service to sages.
The ethical focus is honoring and supporting holy persons (munis) through hospitality and nourishment, valuing devotion and intention over material extravagance.