Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 16
Fruits of Righteousness: Charity, Faith, and the Path to Yama
स प्रयाति सर्वकामं स्थानं पैतामहं नृप । श्रद्धयायेन विप्राय दत्तं काकिणिमात्रकम्
sa prayāti sarvakāmaṃ sthānaṃ paitāmahaṃ nṛpa | śraddhayāyena viprāya dattaṃ kākiṇimātrakam
Wahai raja, ia mencapai alam Pitāmaha Brahmā yang menggenapkan segala hasrat, bila dengan śraddhā ia memberikan kepada seorang brāhmaṇa walau hanya sekeping kākiṇī yang amat kecil.
Unspecified (addressing a king: nṛpa)
Concept: Even the smallest gift, when offered with śraddhā to a worthy recipient, becomes spiritually potent and leads to exalted attainments.
Application: Practice micro-charity daily (food, coin, time) with reverence and non-display; prioritize sincerity over scale; support teachers/priests/learned persons and charitable kitchens.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble donor, hands folded in śraddhā, offers a tiny kākiṇī coin to a serene brāhmaṇa seated on a kusa mat. Above them, a translucent vision of Paitāmaha-loka appears—Brahmā on a lotus-throne within a radiant cosmic lotus, suggesting the vast fruit of a small gift.","primary_figures":["a devout householder (dātā)","a brāhmaṇa recipient","Brahmā (visionary realm)"],"setting":"Village threshold near a small shrine; kusa mat, water pot, and a lotus pond hinted in the background; the sky opens into a celestial lotus-mandala.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","ivory white","emerald green","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a devotee offering a tiny kākiṇī coin to a seated brāhmaṇa on a kusa mat, with a gold-leaf haloed vision of Brahmā on a lotus above; rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch frame, embossed gold lotus motifs, traditional South Indian iconography and symmetrical composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene of a humble donor presenting a small coin to a calm brāhmaṇa, delicate brushwork and refined faces; a soft cloud-window reveals Brahmā seated on a lotus in a pale celestial mandala; cool greens and blues, lyrical trees, thin white outlines, gentle gradients.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the donor in añjali offering a tiny coin, brāhmaṇa receiving with blessing gesture; above, Brahmā on lotus with concentric aureole; red-ochre background, yellow-green garments, stylized eyes, temple-wall aesthetic with floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional charity scene framed by intricate lotus borders; central act of dāna in the foreground, while the upper register shows a cosmic lotus with Brahmā enthroned; deep blue ground with gold detailing, floral vines, peacocks at corners, delicate white highlights and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","gentle drone (tanpura)","distant birds","silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वकामं स्थानं (no sandhi change). श्रद्धयायेन → श्रद्धया + येन. काकिणिमात्रकम् is a तत्पुरुष compound (काकिण्याः मात्रकम्). दत्तं agrees with implied दानम्/मात्रकम् (neuter).
FAQs
The verse teaches that the spiritual result of charity depends primarily on śraddhā (faith/sincere intention), not on the size of the gift—even a tiny offering to a brāhmaṇa is said to yield exalted merit.
“Paitāmaha” means “of Pitāmaha (Brahmā),” referring to Brahmā’s abode (Brahmaloka). The verse presents it as an “all-fulfilling” destination attained through faithful giving.
It emphasizes sincerity, generosity within one’s means, and respect for worthy recipients—teaching that humble offerings made with genuine faith are spiritually significant.