Shloka 41
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
सोपि नाकं समारुह्य जन्मजन्मसु निर्वृतः । गोत्रमातृगणानां च नृपाणां सुहृदां तथा
sopi nākaṃ samāruhya janmajanmasu nirvṛtaḥ | gotramātṛgaṇānāṃ ca nṛpāṇāṃ suhṛdāṃ tathā
Auch er, zum Himmel aufsteigend, bleibt von Geburt zu Geburt erfüllt und selig—zusammen mit den Gruppen seines Geschlechts und seiner Mütter, ebenso mit Königen und Freunden.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 57 narration/dialogue frame)
Concept: Merit (puṇya) yields uplift not only for the doer but also for connected kin and companions, producing repeated well-being across births.
Application: Perform dharmic acts with an inclusive intention—support family elders, dependents, and community; dedicate the fruit (phala-tyāga) for the welfare of all connected beings.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene ascent to Nāka: a luminous path of lotuses and cloud-steps rises toward a jeweled celestial gate. The central devotee is accompanied by subtle, translucent silhouettes of lineage-elders, maternal clan figures, friendly kings, and companions—suggesting shared merit—while devas look on with calm approval.","primary_figures":["a dharmic householder (puṇyavān)","ancestral figures (pitṛs)","maternal clan figures (mātṛ-gaṇa)","friendly kings (nṛpāḥ)","devas as witnesses"],"setting":"Celestial threshold of Svarga with lotus-cloud terraces, wish-fulfilling trees, and distant mandāra blossoms; a gentle sense of procession rather than triumph.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","pearl white","sapphire blue","gold leaf","mist silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a calm svarga-ascent scene with a central puṇyavān figure stepping onto lotus-cloud terraces, surrounded by faintly haloed ancestors and companions; ornate celestial archway with gold leaf embossing, rich vermilion and emerald borders, gem-studded ornaments on devas, stylized lotuses and kalpavṛkṣa trees, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical svarga landscape with soft cloud-banks and lotus pools; the devotee and accompanying kin rendered with delicate brushwork and refined faces; cool sapphire and pale rose palette, thin gold highlights, distant celestial pavilions and flowering trees, gentle procession mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and warm natural pigments; a radiant svarga gateway with lotus motifs; the central figure and accompanying ancestral silhouettes with large expressive eyes; red-ochre, yellow, green dominance with controlled gold accents, temple-wall aesthetic serenity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional svarga tableau framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; deep indigo background with gold detailing; the ascent path formed by lotuses; celestial attendants and peacocks near kalpavṛkṣas; emphasis on auspicious abundance and calm grace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","distant conch shell","gentle drone (tanpura)","subtle wind through trees","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सः + अपि → सोपि (अः + अ → ओ).
FAQs
It indicates that the fruit of merit can lead to heavenly attainment and ongoing well-being across successive births.
The verse includes one’s lineage and maternal line (gotra and mātṛ-gaṇa), and also mentions kings and friends/well-wishers as sharing in the auspicious outcome.
It implies a social ethic where one’s righteous conduct and spiritual merit are not viewed as purely individual, but as having ripple effects that support and uplift one’s wider community.