Shloka 55
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
तपसोऽपि वरं दानं प्रोक्तं च तत्त्वदर्शिभिः । अतो यत्नाद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ दानकर्म समाचरेत्
tapaso'pi varaṃ dānaṃ proktaṃ ca tattvadarśibhiḥ | ato yatnāddvijaśreṣṭha dānakarma samācaret
真理を見た賢者たちは、苦行よりも布施が勝ると説いた。ゆえに、二度生まれの最勝者よ、努めて施しの行を修めよ。
Not explicitly identifiable from the single verse excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Charity surpasses austerity when guided by truth-realizers; therefore one should earnestly practice dāna as a primary dharmic act.
Application: Make dāna a disciplined practice (yathā-śakti): set a fixed portion of income/time for service; give to worthy recipients; pair giving with remembrance of Narayana.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant sage-teacher raises his hand in instruction to a young brāhmaṇa, while devotees distribute food, cloth, and lamps to pilgrims and the poor. Above them, Vishnu’s presence is suggested through a soft blue aura and a Garuḍa-banner, implying that charity offered in devotion becomes a higher tapas.","primary_figures":["a truth-seeing sage (tattva-darśin)","a brāhmaṇa disciple (dvija-śreṣṭha)","devotees performing dāna","Vishnu as subtle divine presence (aura/emblem)"],"setting":"a temple courtyard with a charity pavilion, rows of oil lamps, and pilgrims receiving offerings","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lamp-gold","vermilion red","emerald green","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sage instructing a dvija-śreṣṭha; surrounding dāna scene—food bowls, cloth bundles, cows, and lamps; Vishnu’s aura with Garuḍa-dhvaja above; heavy gold leaf on halos and lamps, rich reds/greens, ornate temple pillars, jewel-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined temple courtyard with delicate brushwork; sage and disciple in calm dialogue; donors in graceful poses; soft sapphire sky and warm lamp-glow; lyrical naturalism, subtle expressions of uplift and resolve.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—sage with raised teaching gesture, disciple attentive; rows of lamps and offerings in bright yellow; Vishnu emblem above; red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall panel symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional courtyard framed by intricate floral borders; lamps and offerings arranged in lotus patterns; Vishnu’s presence hinted by a blue central aura and Garuḍa banner; deep blues and gold, peacocks at corners, celebratory dāna tableau."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","mridanga rhythm (soft)","murmured mantras"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तपसोऽपि = तपसः + अपि (अः + अ → ओऽ). यत्नाद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ = यत्नात् + द्विजश्रेष्ठ (त् + द् → द्द्).
FAQs
It teaches that dāna (charitable giving) is considered superior even to tapas (austerity), and urges diligent practice of charity as a dharmic duty.
“Dvijaśreṣṭha” means “best of the twice-born,” a respectful address typically aimed at a brāhmaṇa or a spiritually disciplined person, emphasizing responsibility to uphold dharma through acts like charity.
That spiritual discipline should express itself in compassionate action—sharing resources for the welfare of others is presented as a higher, more beneficial practice than self-focused austerity alone.