Shloka 54
Pilgrimage Sequence on Sacred Fords (Narmadā Region): Bhṛgu-tīrtha, Śiva-vratas, and Merit Amplification
भोजनं च यथाशक्त्या अक्षयं तस्य तद्भवेत् । सूर्योपरागे यो दद्याद्दानं चैव यथेच्छया
bhojanaṃ ca yathāśaktyā akṣayaṃ tasya tadbhavet | sūryoparāge yo dadyāddānaṃ caiva yathecchayā
Makanan yang diberikan menurut kemampuan menjadi pahala yang tak binasa bagi orang itu. Dan siapa pun yang bersedekah pada saat gerhana matahari—sesuai kehendaknya—mendapat ganjaran yang tak pernah berkurang.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Charity aligned with capacity and sacred timing becomes akṣaya-puṇya; dharma is accessible to all through proportionate giving.
Application: Give regularly within your means; prioritize food charity; on eclipse days, practice restraint, prayer, and intentional giving rather than fear or superstition.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solar eclipse darkens the sky into a copper twilight while a thin ring of sunlight crowns the sun. On the ghāṭa, devotees distribute bowls of rice and lentils, water, and coins; the act of giving glows brighter than the dimmed day, suggesting ‘akṣaya’ merit that outlasts cosmic shadow.","primary_figures":["Devotees performing dāna","Recipients (pilgrims, ascetics, poor)","Priest/guide announcing grahaṇa-kāla (optional)"],"setting":"Riverside ghāṭa with donation area; eclipse sky overhead; lamps lit despite daytime; ritual vessels and food baskets arranged neatly.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["copper twilight","charcoal gray","ring-gold","deep indigo","lamp-flame orange"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic solar eclipse with a gold-leaf ring around the sun, devotees at a ghāṭa giving abundant anna-dāna; embossed gold coins and halos, rich vermilion garments, ornate pavilion, lamp-lit highlights against darkened sky.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: eclipse sky rendered in subtle gradients, delicate figures offering food according to capacity, calm river reflecting the ring of light; refined architecture, cool indigo palette with warm lamp accents, poetic stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized eclipse disc with bright ring, bold-outlined donors and recipients, lamps and vessels; earthy pigments, symmetrical composition, temple mural framing with auspicious borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: eclipse motif above a lotus-filled river panel, rows of devotees offering food and coins, intricate floral borders, deep blues with gold highlights; emphasize ‘akṣaya’ through repeating auspicious patterns and abundant offerings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple gong","muffled crowd murmur","lamp crackle","river flow","conch shell at eclipse peak"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्भवेत् = तत् भवेत्; दद्याद्दानं = दद्याद् दानम्; चैव = च एव; यथेच्छया = यथा इच्छया (अव्ययीभाव)
FAQs
The verse treats sūryoparāga as a highly potent sacred time (kāla) when acts of dāna are believed to yield especially enduring spiritual merit (akṣaya).
It highlights two forms: feeding others according to one’s means (yathāśaktyā bhojana) and giving charity during a solar eclipse according to one’s chosen capacity and intention (yathecchayā dāna).
It promotes generosity that is proportionate and sustainable—giving within one’s ability—while affirming that sincere charity, especially at sacred times, produces lasting moral and spiritual benefit.