Shloka 90
The Account of Women
Householder Ethics, Fault, Merit, and Govinda-Nāma as Purification
गृह्णाति मनसा प्राज्ञो यद्दत्तं तस्य चाक्षयम् । भूमिं गां च हिरण्यं च धनं वस्त्रं च धान्यकम्
gṛhṇāti manasā prājño yaddattaṃ tasya cākṣayam | bhūmiṃ gāṃ ca hiraṇyaṃ ca dhanaṃ vastraṃ ca dhānyakam
Der Weise nimmt im Geist, mit innerer Zustimmung, alles an, was gegeben wird; für den Geber wird diese Gabe unvergänglich—sei es Land, eine Kuh, Gold, Reichtum, Kleidung oder Korn.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 52; verse states a general dharma principle)
Concept: Gifts become imperishable (akṣaya) when given and received with proper intention; the receiver’s mental acceptance completes the sacrificial circuit of dāna.
Application: Receive help with humility and clarity; give without manipulation; treat charity and support as sacred exchanges rather than social leverage.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene household scene: a wise elder receives offerings with palms joined and eyes lowered, while the giver places symbolic items—cow, gold, cloth, grain—before a small altar. Above them, a subtle luminous script ‘akṣaya’ floats like a blessing, suggesting merit that does not diminish.","primary_figures":["wise recipient (prājña)","householder donor","cow (symbolic)","Agni/altar flame (symbolic)"],"setting":"simple gṛhastha courtyard with a small altar and neatly arranged gifts","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm saffron","cow-white","leaf green","soft gold","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central prājña figure with calm face and gold-leaf halo, hands in añjali; offerings of cow, gold coins, folded cloth, and grain sacks arranged symmetrically; ornate arch and lamp flames, rich reds/greens, gold leaf emphasizing ‘akṣaya’ blessing motif.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard with delicate textiles and gentle expressions; the cow rendered with fine detail; soft dawn sky, restrained palette, lyrical naturalism emphasizing humility and gratitude.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat yet vibrant pigments; donor and recipient in iconic poses, offerings stylized; a glowing ‘akṣaya’ motif as a decorative band above, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional domestic tableau framed by lotus borders; offerings arranged like ritual icons; deep blue background with gold accents, floral vines, and small peacocks at corners to signify auspiciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","gentle cow bells","morning birds","steady silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यद्दत्तं = यत् + दत्तम्; चाक्षयम् = च + अक्षयम्
FAQs
It teaches that a gift, when accepted with proper inner disposition, yields akṣaya (imperishable) merit for the donor—whether the donation is land, cows, gold, wealth, clothes, or grain.
It highlights that dāna is not merely transactional; the mental intention and respectful acceptance complete the ethical-spiritual act, supporting the donor’s lasting merit.
That charity should be given and received with sincerity and right intention, and that such giving produces enduring spiritual benefit (puṇya) for the giver.