Shloka 17
Viṣṇu as the Embodied Purāṇas and the Merit of Hearing the Svarga-khaṇḍa
मेषकर्कटयोर्मध्ये तोयं दत्तं सुशीतलम् । ब्राह्मणार्थे गवार्थे च प्राणास्त्यक्ताश्च तेन हि
meṣakarkaṭayormadhye toyaṃ dattaṃ suśītalam | brāhmaṇārthe gavārthe ca prāṇāstyaktāśca tena hi
Zwischen Meṣa (Widder) und Karkaṭa (Krebs) wurde sehr kühles Wasser dargebracht; und wahrlich, um der Brahmanen und um der Kühe willen wurden sogar Leben hingegeben.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa; broader dialogue context not provided in the input)
Concept: Jala-dāna (gift of water) in the hot season is a high dharma; go-brāhmaṇa-hita is treated as a sacred priority, even unto self-sacrifice.
Application: Set up water pots/stands, support gaushalas, ensure drinking water for animals and travelers during heat waves; prioritize service that preserves life.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sun-scorched roadside with shimmering heat where a shaded water-stall offers earthen pots of icy water to weary brāhmaṇas and thirsty cows. A devoted giver stands barefoot, pouring water with steady hands, while clouds gather faintly on the horizon, hinting at monsoon mercy.","primary_figures":["devoted donor (wise householder)","brāhmaṇas (travelers/reciters)","cows and calves","village attendants"],"setting":"Dusty pilgrimage road near a banyan tree; earthen water pots (ghaṭa), leaf cups, a small shelter of woven mats; distant fields awaiting rain.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["burnt umber","terracotta","cool turquoise","pale monsoon gray","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dharmic water-dāna scene with gold-leaf highlights on vessels and ornaments; donor pouring cool water to brāhmaṇas and cows under a decorated canopy; rich reds/greens, stylized cows with jeweled harnesses, ornate borders and auspicious motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate roadside charity under a banyan; subtle heat haze, soft washes for sky, refined figures receiving water; gentle greens and browns, lyrical cows, distant hills and rain clouds in pale gray-blue.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, rhythmic composition of donor, brāhmaṇas, and cows; large expressive eyes, flat yet vibrant color blocks; warm ochres with cool blue water accents, temple-like decorative bands framing the act of dāna.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional charity tableau framed by floral borders; cows central with ornate patterns, water pots arranged symmetrically; deep indigo background with gold and white highlights, peacocks at corners, lotus motifs emphasizing purity and life-giving water."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["water pouring","cow bells","distant thunder","summer cicadas","soft handbell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: meṣakarkaṭayor madhye → meṣa-karkaṭayoḥ madhye; prāṇās tyaktāḥ ca → prāṇāḥ tyaktāḥ ca; gavārthe → go-arthe; brāhmaṇārthe → brāhmaṇa-arthe.
FAQs
They mark a time-range in the solar zodiac, indicating a seasonal period during which offering cool water is especially relevant and meritorious.
It treats both as high-priority dharmic recipients of care—so significant that people are described as sacrificing even their lives for their welfare.
Selfless charity and protection—especially providing essentials like water and supporting vulnerable dependents (cows) and religious custodians (Brahmins)—is portrayed as exemplary dharma.