Shloka 162
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
तेजोमयं घृतं पुण्यंमहापातकनाशनम् । विंशत्या घृतकुंभानामुत्तमः स्याद्घृताचलः
tejomayaṃ ghṛtaṃ puṇyaṃmahāpātakanāśanam | viṃśatyā ghṛtakuṃbhānāmuttamaḥ syādghṛtācalaḥ
Ghee, formed of radiant essence, is sacred and destroys even great sins. Among twenty pots of ghee, the finest offering is the “mountain of ghee,” Ghṛtācala.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa narration)
Concept: Sāttvika substances offered with dharmic intent—here ghee as ‘tejo-maya’—carry extraordinary purificatory power, even against mahāpātakas.
Application: Use resources (food, wealth, time) as offerings and charity; prioritize purity, gratitude, and consistency over display.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ceremonial platform holds a gleaming ‘mountain’ sculpted from pots and flowing ghee, its surface catching light like liquid gold. Priests arrange twenty ghee-kumbhas around it, while the central Ghṛtācala rises higher, crowned with a small kalasha and garlands. The atmosphere is thick with incense and the warm glow of clarified butter lamps, suggesting sin melting away like ghee in fire.","primary_figures":["Vedic priests (ṛtviks)","Householder donor (yajamāna)","Assistants carrying ghṛta-kumbhas"],"setting":"Ritual pavilion (maṇḍapa) with altar, rows of ghee pots, and a central ghee ‘mountain’","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["molten gold","ivory","sandalwood beige","marigold orange","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Ghṛtācala rendered as a radiant golden mound with thick gold leaf highlights; priests in white with red borders chant beside a decorated altar; twenty ghee pots arranged symmetrically; ornate arches, rich crimson and emerald backdrops, gem-like detailing on kalashas and jewelry, traditional South Indian iconographic framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate ritual scene under a canopy; the ghee mountain glows softly, surrounded by neatly painted pots; delicate faces of priests, fine textile patterns, gentle morning light, pale smoke curls, refined naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined ritual pavilion with stylized flames and lamps; Ghṛtācala as a bright yellow-gold form with patterned texture; priests with characteristic eye shapes; natural pigment palette, ornamental borders with lotus and lamp motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical arrangement of ghṛta-kumbhas around a central golden hill; intricate floral borders, lotus motifs, hanging lamps; deep blue background with gold accents, highly detailed patterns and ceremonial abundance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["ghee lamps crackling","Vedic chant undertone","temple bells","conch shell","incense smoke hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुण्यम् + महापातकनाशनम् → पुण्यंमहापातकनाशनम्; घृतकुंभानाम् + उत्तमः → घृतकुंभानामुत्तमः; स्यात् + घृताचलः → syādghṛtācalaḥ (स्याद्घृताचलः)
FAQs
It praises ghṛta (ghee) as a highly meritorious ritual substance and elevates a large-scale offering—symbolically called a ghṛtācala (“mountain of ghee”)—as superior even to multiple pots of ghee.
It states that ghee, when used/offered in a sacred context (such as dāna or yajña-related giving), is regarded as capable of destroying the effects of grave sins (mahāpātaka) within the text’s ritual-ethical framework.
It promotes generosity and reverence in religious giving—emphasizing that sincere, substantial offerings made with purity are considered spiritually transformative.