Shloka 185
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
अश्वमेधसहस्राणि यज्ञकोटिशतानि च । गवां शतसहस्रस्य सम्यग्दत्तस्य यत्फलम्
aśvamedhasahasrāṇi yajñakoṭiśatāni ca | gavāṃ śatasahasrasya samyagdattasya yatphalam
Buah pahala yang setara dengan ribuan Aśvamedha dan ratusan krore yajña lainnya—itulah pahala dari sedekah seratus ribu ekor sapi yang diberikan dengan benar.
Unspecified (context not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Puṇya is measured through comparative phala-śruti: immense dāna and yajña yield vast merit, used as a benchmark for the promised fruit of the practice described nearby.
Application: Translate ‘grand sacrifice’ into modern ethical giving: consistent charity, support of cows/animals, food donation, and service—done ‘samyak’ (properly, with purity and humility).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast sacrificial ground stretches to the horizon: golden altars, priests chanting, and a ceremonial horse led in procession—yet the scene fades into a second tableau where a humble donor offers cows with folded hands, emphasizing ‘samyak-dāna’. Above both, a cosmic scale of merit glows, suggesting equivalence and the Purāṇic rhetoric of immeasurable puṇya.","primary_figures":["Vedic priests (ṛtviks)","Royal patron (yajamāna)","Cow donors","Sacrificial horse (Aśvamedha)"],"setting":"A grand yajña-śālā with multiple fire altars, banners, and orderly rows of offerings; adjacent pastoral enclosure for cows.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","fire orange","gold","ivory","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: expansive Aśvamedha yajña scene with multiple homa-kuṇḍas, priests in white, royal patron with crown; a parallel panel of go-dāna with rows of cows; heavy gold leaf on flames and ornaments, rich reds/greens, ornate borders and temple-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: detailed yajña pavilion with delicate figures, fine smoke trails, the horse procession rendered with lyrical movement; nearby, serene go-dāna scene; soft natural palette, refined faces, careful architectural lines, gentle hills in the distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized fire altars and priests with bold outlines; the horse and cows arranged rhythmically; dominant warm reds/yellows with green accents; temple-wall narrative bands showing yajña and dāna as parallel merit acts.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border of lotuses and auspicious motifs; central fire altar with symmetrical attendants; lower band with cows in procession; deep blue background with gold detailing, floral filigree framing the merit-comparison theme."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["Vedic chant drone","crackling fire","hand cymbals","conch shell","processional drums"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्फलम् = यत् + फलम् (त् + फ → त्फ)
FAQs
It teaches that dāna (charitable giving)—specifically proper cow-gifting (gau-dāna)—can yield spiritual merit comparable to vast numbers of major Vedic sacrifices.
It implies that the intention, eligibility of the recipient, and correct manner of donation matter; the ethical quality of giving determines the spiritual fruit.
It elevates sincere charity and responsible generosity as accessible, high-value religious practice, sometimes portrayed as surpassing costly ritual performances.