Shloka 54
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
एवं वर्षत्रयेणैव प्रपादानफलं लभेत् । यः पठेच्छ्रावयेद्वापि पुष्करिण्यादिजं फलम्
evaṃ varṣatrayeṇaiva prapādānaphalaṃ labhet | yaḥ paṭhecchrāvayedvāpi puṣkariṇyādijaṃ phalam
Ainsi, en l’espace de trois ans seulement, on obtient le fruit du don d’un prapādāna, un lieu public où l’on offre l’eau à boire. Et quiconque récite ce récit, ou le fait réciter à d’autres, acquiert pareillement le mérite issu des étangs sacrés et des dharmas semblables.
Not specified in input (context likely a Purāṇic narrator within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Dharma that sustains life (water-giving) and dharma that sustains faith (recitation/hearing) both yield swift puṇya; śravaṇa itself becomes a merit-multiplier.
Application: Support public water access (donate to water stations, wells, hydration drives) and regularly read/listen to Purāṇic/Vaiṣṇava kathā; share it with others as a form of service.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sun-warmed village crossroads where a newly built prapā (public water-shed) offers cool water in earthen pots, while a sage recites Purāṇic kathā to gathered travelers. In the background, a lotus-filled puṣkariṇī glimmers, suggesting that welfare-work itself becomes a tīrtha.","primary_figures":["sage-reciter","villagers and travelers","devotees listening"],"setting":"Indian village path near a lotus pond and a small shrine; earthen pots, stone steps to water, shade trees","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","sandalwood beige","turquoise water","leaf green","burnished gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central sage seated on a low pedestal reciting from a palm-leaf manuscript, devotees offering water pots; a lotus pond (puṣkariṇī) behind with stylized lotuses; ornate gold-leaf halo effects around the sacred narrative scroll, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments on patrons of the prapā, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate figures under a peepal tree beside a stepped pond with pink lotuses; soft Himalayan-like atmospheric perspective, lyrical naturalism in foliage, refined faces listening intently; cool blues and greens with a warm ochre path, fine linework on water pots and manuscript.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, flat yet vibrant natural pigments; a serene reciter with large expressive eyes, devotees in rhythmic arrangement, lotus pond rendered with stylized petals; dominant reds, yellows, and greens with temple-wall compositional balance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders with lotus motifs framing a puṣkariṇī; devotees offering water and listening to kathā; peacocks near the pond, deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate textile patterns emphasizing puṇya and sacred water."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","earthen pot clink","birds","temple bells"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्षत्रयेणैव = वर्ष-त्रयेण + एव; पठेच्छ्रावयेत् = पठेत् + श्रावयेत्; श्रावयेद्वापि = श्रावयेत् + वा + अपि; पुष्करिण्यादिजम् = पुष्करिणी-आदि-जम्
FAQs
It praises establishing or donating a public drinking-water facility as a high-merit act, stating that its spiritual reward can be attained within a short, defined period (three years).
It states that merely reciting the passage—or arranging for others to hear it—grants merit comparable to that produced by sacred works/places such as holy ponds (puṣkariṇīs).
The verse links devotion and ethics: supporting public welfare (providing water) and spreading sacred teachings (recitation/hearing) are both upheld as accessible, socially beneficial paths to religious merit.