Shloka 51
Karma, Non-Violence, Tīrtha & Gaṅgā Merit, Vaiṣṇava Protection, Śālagrāma Worship, and Ekādaśī as Deliverance
वापीकूपतडागादौ धर्मस्यांतो न विद्यते । पिबंति स्वेच्छया यत्र जलस्थल चरास्तदा
vāpīkūpataḍāgādau dharmasyāṃto na vidyate | pibaṃti svecchayā yatra jalasthala carāstadā
Beim Anlegen von Brunnen, Teichen, Wasserbecken und dergleichen kennt das Verdienst des Dharma kein Ende—zumal dort, wo Wesen, die im Wasser und auf dem Land sich bewegen, nach Belieben frei trinken können.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue of the Svarga-khaṇḍa).
Concept: Dharma expressed as public welfare (water access) yields immeasurable puṇya because it continuously sustains life across species.
Application: Support or build community water sources (wells, tanks, rainwater harvesting), keep them clean, and ensure open access for animals and travelers.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A broad stone tank under a banyan tree, steps descending into clear water; deer, birds, cattle, and travelers drink side by side without fear. In the sky, faint celestial scribes record the endless merit, suggesting that each sip taken by any creature multiplies the donor’s dharma without limit.","primary_figures":["donor/benefactor","cattle and deer","water birds","travelers","celestial scribes (symbolic)"],"setting":"village tank (taḍāga) with ghats, well and pulley nearby, shaded by banyan and neem, earthen pots and stone steps","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["turquoise water","stone gray","banyan green","sunlit gold","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand stepped tank with shimmering gold leaf highlights on water ripples; donor figure offering a kalasha; animals and pilgrims arranged symmetrically; ornate border with embossed gold; rich jewel tones and traditional iconographic clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical landscape with a stepped pond, delicate animals drinking, soft trees and distant hills; fine linework on ripples and foliage; gentle pastel sky with tiny celestial record-keepers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghat and tank in flat perspective; bold outlines for animals and pilgrims; warm pigment blocks; decorative lotus motifs around the water body; temple-wall compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central water tank framed by lotus borders; peacocks and cows prominent; intricate floral patterns; deep blue-green ground with gold detailing; devotional emphasis on abundance and shared access."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["splashing water","bird calls","wind in banyan leaves","distant temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vāpīkūpataḍāgādau → vāpī-kūpa-taḍāga-ādau; dharmasyāṃto → dharmasya antaḥ; svecchayā → sva-icchayā; jalasthala carāstadā → jala-sthala-carāḥ tadā.
FAQs
It praises constructing water sources—wells, ponds, tanks, and similar facilities—as a high form of public welfare (dharma).
Because the benefit continues repeatedly as many beings—especially aquatic and land creatures—drink from the water source freely over time.
Sustaining life through accessible water is a lasting, compassionate form of charity; dharma is strengthened when resources are made available without restriction.