Shloka 157
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
स भवेत्सर्वशास्त्रज्ञो द्विजो वेदविदां वरः । सर्वधर्मार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मार्तः पौराणिको भवेत्
sa bhavetsarvaśāstrajño dvijo vedavidāṃ varaḥ | sarvadharmārthatattvajñaḥ smārtaḥ paurāṇiko bhavet
Ein solcher Zweimalgeborener wird zum Kenner aller Śāstras, zum Besten unter den Veda-Kundigen; er erkennt die wahren Grundsätze von Dharma und Artha, folgt den Smṛtis und wird ein gelehrter Ausleger der Purāṇas.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Śāstra-jñāna integrated with dharma-artha tattva makes one a true Smārta and Purāṇika—learning must mature into principled discernment and responsible teaching.
Application: Study with humility; align livelihood (artha) with ethics (dharma); learn Smṛti rules and Purāṇic narratives to cultivate character; teach only after internalizing principles.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene gurukula hall where a dvija scholar sits on a low wooden seat, palm-leaf manuscripts and a Purāṇa grantha arranged before him. Students listen in attentive silence as the teacher gestures toward a dharma-śāstra diagram, suggesting the harmony of Veda, Smṛti, and Purāṇa.","primary_figures":["Dvija teacher (ācārya)","Students (brahmacārins)","Personified Veda/Smṛti/Purāṇa as symbolic scrolls"],"setting":"Forest-edge āśrama classroom with thatched roof, manuscript shelves, yajña-kuṇḍa nearby","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","vermillion red","ink black","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dignified dvija ācārya teaching from palm-leaf manuscripts, students seated in rows, stylized sacred books labeled Veda–Smṛti–Purāṇa, gold leaf halo around the teacher’s head, rich reds and greens, ornate borders, gem-studded ornaments on manuscript stand, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate gurukula scene with delicate brushwork, refined faces, cool greens and browns, a quiet Himalayan-forest ambience, manuscripts rendered with fine lines, lyrical naturalism, soft sky wash, minimal architecture and emphasis on attentive listening.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigments, temple-wall aesthetic applied to an āśrama teaching scene, large expressive eyes, red/yellow/green palette, stylized palm leaves and ritual implements, rhythmic composition with decorative floral margins.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional learning tableau framed by lotus and creeper borders, deep indigo background with gold highlights, symbolic lotus motifs for ‘Padma’ tradition, peacocks perched on branches, manuscript stand centered like a shrine, intricate floral filigree throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","rustling palm leaves","distant birds","gentle silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhavetsarvaśāstrajñaḥ = bhavet + sarvaśāstrajñaḥ.
FAQs
It praises comprehensive sacred learning: mastery of śāstra and Veda, understanding the principles of dharma and artha, and being grounded in Smṛti and Purāṇic tradition.
“Smārta” indicates one who follows and understands Smṛti-based dharma (codes of conduct and tradition), while “paurāṇika” indicates one learned in the Purāṇas—able to study, interpret, or recite them.
The verse implies that true excellence is not mere memorization but integrated wisdom—linking Vedic knowledge with practical dharma, life-purpose (artha), and traditional guidance from Smṛti and Purāṇas.