Shloka 13
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
सप्तद्वीपां महीं दत्त्वा यत्पुण्यं प्राप्यते द्विज । तत्पुण्यं प्राप्नुयान्मर्त्यो धेनुं यच्छन्द्विजातये
saptadvīpāṃ mahīṃ dattvā yatpuṇyaṃ prāpyate dvija | tatpuṇyaṃ prāpnuyānmartyo dhenuṃ yacchandvijātaye
Wahai brāhmaṇa, pahala yang diperoleh dengan menghadiahkan bumi beserta tujuh benuanya—pahala itu juga diraih seorang manusia fana dengan memberikan seekor sapi kepada kaum dwija (brāhmaṇa).
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing a dvija in this verse)
Concept: Go-dāna to a dvija can equal the merit of gifting the entire earth—small, sincere, dharmically targeted charity yields vast spiritual return.
Application: Practice regular, capacity-appropriate giving (especially livelihood-supporting gifts) with śraddhā; prioritize sustaining dharmic learning and worship rather than performative largesse.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble householder leads a decorated cow with a garland and a copper pot of water to a seated brāhmaṇa, while behind them a translucent cosmic map of seven dvīpas appears like a divine vision—suggesting that this simple gift mirrors the grandeur of gifting the whole world. The brāhmaṇa raises a blessing hand, and a faint aura of Viṣṇu’s conch-disc radiance crowns the act.","primary_figures":["householder donor","brāhmaṇa recipient","decorated cow (go)","Viṣṇu (subtle aura or emblematic presence)"],"setting":"village courtyard near a small altar with kusa grass, water pot, and lamps; cosmic dvīpa vision in the sky","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","sapphire blue","milk white","marigold gold","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central go-dāna scene with richly adorned cow, brāhmaṇa seated on a low āsana, donor offering with folded hands; gold leaf aura forming a seven-dvīpa mandala in the background, gem-like ornamentation, deep reds/greens, embossed halos and ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard go-dāna with delicate floral garlands, soft pastel sky showing a faint seven-dvīpa diagram like a cloud-vision; fine brushwork, lyrical trees, gentle expressions, cool blues and spring greens.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized cow with bold outlines, brāhmaṇa and donor in ritual posture, a circular seven-dvīpa mandala behind like a temple mural medallion; strong reds/yellows/greens, patterned borders, iconic eyes and gestures.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow-centered composition with lotus borders, peacocks and floral vines; a mandala of seven dvīpas rendered as concentric rings behind the cow, deep blue ground with gold detailing, intricate textile motifs and devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["cow bells","temple bells","soft conch shell","gentle crowd murmur","birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्पुण्यं = यत् + पुण्यम्; तत्पुण्यं = तत् + पुण्यम्; प्राप्नुयान्मर्त्यो = प्राप्नुयात् + मर्त्यः; यच्छन्द्विजातये = यच्छन् + द्विजातये (न् + द् संधि)
FAQs
The verse praises go-dāna—donating a cow—especially when given to a dvija (traditionally a brāhmaṇa), presenting it as an exceptionally meritorious act.
It uses hyperbolic comparison to emphasize the extraordinary spiritual value assigned to go-dāna within dharma literature—equating a single cow-gift with the vast merit of donating the whole world.
It teaches that sincere, well-directed charity—especially supporting learned and dharmic recipients—can yield immense merit, making lofty spiritual goals accessible through practical acts of giving.