Shloka 106
Rāma’s Meeting with Agastya: Gift-Ethics (Dāna) and the Tale of King Śveta
आहारं कुत्सितं चेमं राजर्षे किं पुनस्तव । सुरकार्यं महत्तेन सुकृतं तु महात्मना
āhāraṃ kutsitaṃ cemaṃ rājarṣe kiṃ punastava | surakāryaṃ mahattena sukṛtaṃ tu mahātmanā
Oh sabio rey, si aun este alimento sencillo se juzga despreciable, ¿qué decir entonces del tuyo? Con todo, por esa gran hazaña, el noble de corazón ha realizado un inmenso servicio a los dioses.
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/speaker in Adhyaya 36; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: True greatness is measured by noble intention and service to cosmic order, not by the refinement of one’s food or comforts.
Application: Practice simplicity without self-contempt; evaluate choices by their capacity to serve others and uphold dharma rather than status.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal sage sits on kusa grass beside a modest leaf-plate of simple food, while celestial beings look on approvingly. The atmosphere contrasts outward simplicity with inward grandeur: a subtle aura around the noble-souled doer, suggesting that the ‘great service to the gods’ has been accomplished through humility and resolve.","primary_figures":["Rājarṣi (royal sage)","Devas (witnessing)","A praising narrator/sage figure"],"setting":"Forest hermitage edge with a small sacrificial fire, leaf-plate, water pot, and distant glimpse of a celestial chariot in the sky.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","leaf green","saffron","smoke gray","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a rājarṣi with restrained royal ornaments seated in tapas posture, simple offering on a banana leaf; devas above in a semicircle; gold leaf haloing the sage’s head to show inner merit; rich maroon and green drapery, ornate frame with floral motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate hermitage scene with delicate trees and a small fire altar; the sage’s calm face rendered with fine lines; devas as small luminous figures in the sky; cool greens and gentle ochres, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized forest elements, the sage seated frontally with expressive eyes; devas in symmetrical arrangement; strong saffron-red-yellow-green palette with temple-wall gravitas.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of vines and lotuses; central figure of the sage offering simple food as if to Vishnu’s unseen presence; celestial attendants in patterned rows; deep indigo background with gold floral detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","forest birds","soft hand cymbals","gentle wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cemaṃ = ca + imam; punastava = punar + tava.
FAQs
It contrasts the perceived lowliness of an offering (food) with the greatness of the spiritual outcome, emphasizing that sincere action can accomplish significant divine service (sura-kārya) and generate merit (sukṛta).
No. The verse implies that even if something appears humble or “contemptible,” the resulting merit can be great when the act serves a higher divine purpose.
Do not belittle modest means or simple offerings; evaluate actions by intention, dharmic purpose, and the beneficial results they produce.