Shloka 31
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
एवं बुध्वा तु धर्मात्मा यः कुर्यात्कृत्रिमं वनम् । कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि कल्पकोटिशतानि च
evaṃ budhvā tu dharmātmā yaḥ kuryātkṛtrimaṃ vanam | kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi kalpakoṭiśatāni ca
Knowing this, a righteous person who creates an artificial forest (a plantation) earns merit enduring for thousands of crores of kalpas, and for hundreds of crores of kalpas as well.
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Creating a forest is a high dharmic act with extraordinarily long-lasting merit, measured in kalpas—linking ecological restoration with cosmic time.
Application: Undertake long-term ecological seva: community forests, temple groves, watershed planting; commit to maintenance (rakṣaṇa) as part of the vow, not merely initial planting.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A barren tract is transformed into a living sanctuary: rows of saplings stretch to the horizon, and as they take root, the scene subtly overlays a cosmic vision—kalpa-wheels and starry cycles faintly visible in the sky. The righteous planter stands with folded hands, seeing the forest not as property but as an offering to all beings.","primary_figures":["dharmātman planter","forest spirits (yakṣa-like guardians, subtle)","villagers planting saplings"],"setting":"newly planted forest on reclaimed land; irrigation channels, protective fencing, birds returning to branches","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["emerald","sky blue","sun-gold","clay brown","white jasmine"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dharmic benefactor overseeing the creation of a vast artificial forest, saplings in rhythmic rows, celestial kalpa-wheels faintly behind; gold leaf on the radiance, halos, and cosmic motifs, rich reds/greens, ornate borders, jewel-like detailing on vessels and ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic plantation scene with lyrical hills and distant horizon, delicate saplings and returning birds, subtle cosmic symbols in the sky, cool greens and blues, refined human figures engaged in gentle labor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized forest patterning filling the frame, bold outlines of the planter in añjali-mudrā, repeating sapling motifs like a mandala, natural pigments with strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall grandeur.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a ‘forest-seva’ tableau with ornate floral borders, lotus motifs, peacocks and cows returning to shade, a small Viṣṇu shrine at center, deep indigo background with gold stars suggesting kalpa-cycles, intricate foliage filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["wind through young leaves","distant conch","soft drone (tanpura)","birds returning","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यात्कृत्रिमम् = कुर्यात् + कृत्रिमम्; कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि/कल्पकोटिशतानि: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (संख्यावाचक-समास)
FAQs
The verse praises creating a man-made forest or grove (kṛtrima vana), i.e., establishing greenery such as plantations or protected wooded areas.
It uses vast time-measures—kalpas multiplied by crores—to convey extraordinarily long-lasting spiritual merit, emphasizing the greatness of the act.
Environmental stewardship—planting and sustaining forests—is framed as a high dharmic duty with enduring benefit, encouraging constructive, life-supporting action.