Shloka 117
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
गोवस्त्रकांचनैर्विप्रान्पूजयेच्छक्तितो नरः । परं पदमवाप्नोति विष्णुव्रतमिदं स्मृतम्
govastrakāṃcanairviprānpūjayecchaktito naraḥ | paraṃ padamavāpnoti viṣṇuvratamidaṃ smṛtam
Der Mensch soll die Brāhmaṇas nach seinem Vermögen mit Kühen, Gewändern und Gold ehren; er erlangt den höchsten Stand — so gilt dies als ein Viṣṇu geweihter Gelübdeweg.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Dāna offered with śraddhā and within one’s capacity becomes a Viṣṇu-vrata leading to the supreme state (parama-pada).
Application: Practice capacity-based giving: support teachers/priests/scholars, donate clothing, sponsor cow-care or food programs; keep the intention explicitly as an offering to Viṣṇu.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble householder stands before a small altar of Viṣṇu, then turns to honor seated brāhmaṇas with folded hands. A gentle cow is led forward with a garland, while folded garments and a small heap of gold are offered as dāna, the air calm with mantra and gratitude.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (as a small shrine icon or radiant presence)","householder donor","brāhmaṇas","cow (dhenu)"],"setting":"Village courtyard-temple threshold with tulasī planter nearby, brass lamps, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a clean dāna platform.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sapphire blue","gold leaf","ivory white","vermillion red","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu as a small but radiant sanctum icon with thick gold-leaf halo; donor offering a garlanded milch-cow, folded silk garments, and gold coins to seated brāhmaṇas; rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch (prabhāvali), intricate floor patterns, devotional stillness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a serene courtyard scene with delicate brushwork; brāhmaṇas seated on white cloth, donor presenting cow and gifts; cool pastel palette with lyrical naturalism, distant trees and a small shrine, refined faces, gentle gestures of blessing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; frontal brāhmaṇas receiving dāna, stylized cow with decorative harness; Viṣṇu emblem in the background, lamp flames, red/yellow/green dominance, large expressive eyes, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Viṣṇu devotion expressed through a shrine framed by lotus motifs; cow with ornate cloth and bells, floral borders, peacocks near a tulasī planter; deep blues and gold, intricate patterns, celebratory yet reverent composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","low mantra hum","cow bells","gentle silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गोवस्त्रकांचनैर्विप्रान्पूजयेच्छक्तितो नरः → गो वस्त्र काञ्चनैः विप्रान् पूजयेत् शक्तितः नरः; पदमवाप्नोति → पदम् अवाप्नोति; विष्णुव्रतमिदं → विष्णुव्रतम् इदम्
FAQs
It defines a Viṣṇu-oriented vow as honoring brāhmaṇas—according to one’s means—by gifting or offering cows, clothing, and gold.
The verse states that one attains the “supreme state/abode” (paraṃ padam), a common Purāṇic expression for the highest spiritual attainment associated with Viṣṇu.
It emphasizes proportional giving: the merit lies in sincere honoring and charity within one’s means, not in extravagant donation beyond one’s ability.