Shloka 126
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
यत्प्रदानान्नरो लोकमाप्नोति शिवसंयुतम् । उत्तमः षोडशद्रोणैः कर्तव्यो लवणाचलः
yatpradānānnaro lokamāpnoti śivasaṃyutam | uttamaḥ ṣoḍaśadroṇaiḥ kartavyo lavaṇācalaḥ
उस दान के प्रदान से मनुष्य शिव-संयुक्त लोक को प्राप्त करता है। उत्तम विधि यह है कि सोलह द्रोण नमक से लवणाचल बनाया जाए।
Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt (context required from surrounding verses of Adhyaya 21).
Concept: Concrete, measurable giving (dāna) produces definite post-mortem results; ritual form and quantity matter in Purāṇic dharma.
Application: Give with clarity and structure—set a measurable commitment; align intention with a defined spiritual aim rather than vague hope.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Priests pour shimmering white salt into a conical form, building a miniature mountain on a ritual platform. Above it, a translucent vision of a serene Śiva-loka appears—white radiance, ash-toned calm—suggesting the promised realm as the offering reaches its perfect measure of sixteen droṇas.","primary_figures":["ritual patron (dānapati)","priests","visionary Śiva (as realm-sign)"],"setting":"Open-air sacrificial courtyard with measuring jars (droṇa) arranged in a neat row; the salt-mountain centered on a decorated altar.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["crystal white","ash gray","rudraksha brown","gold leaf","twilight violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central white salt-mountain on a jeweled altar; priests holding droṇa-measure vessels; a luminous Śiva-loka vignette above with soft ash-gray aura; heavy gold-leaf embellishment on borders and vessels, rich maroon and emerald textiles, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of sixteen measuring pots lined like pearls; the salt-mountain rising gently; a faint celestial pavilion in the sky hinting Śiva’s realm; cool violets and pale whites, refined facial features, airy composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized conical salt-mountain with bold outlines; priests in rhythmic poses pouring salt; a simplified celestial Śiva emblem above; warm yellow-red background with green accents and mural-like ornament bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate altar scene framed by lotus and floral borders; the salt-mountain as central offering; śaṅkha-cakra motifs subtly woven; deep indigo cloth ground with gold and white detailing, symmetrical decorative abundance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","measured chant cadence","soft hand cymbals"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्प्रदानान्नरो = यत् + प्रदानात् + नरः; लोकमाप्नोति = लोकम् + आप्नोति
FAQs
It prescribes a specific form of dāna (charitable offering): making a ‘lavaṇācala’—a mound or mountain-like heap of salt—measured as sixteen droṇas, described as the best form of that donation.
It states that by giving it, a person attains a realm “associated with Śiva” (śiva-saṃyuta), i.e., a Śiva-aligned heavenly or spiritual attainment.
The verse highlights the Purāṇic ethic that purposeful generosity (dāna), done in a prescribed and sincere way, is a powerful means of spiritual uplift and auspicious posthumous attainment.