Shloka 120
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
असौ काशीं समासाद्य धेनुं दत्ते पयस्विनीम् । शक्रलोके वसेत्कल्पमिदं मंत्रव्रतं स्मृतम्
asau kāśīṃ samāsādya dhenuṃ datte payasvinīm | śakraloke vasetkalpamidaṃ maṃtravrataṃ smṛtam
ពេលទៅដល់កាសី (Kāśī) គាត់ប្រគេនគោទឹកដោះដែលសម្បូរទឹកដោះ (paysvinī dhenu)។ គាត់នឹងស្នាក់នៅមួយកល្បៈក្នុងលោកសក្រលោក (Śakra-loka) គឺលោកព្រះឥន្ទ្រ—នេះត្រូវបានចងចាំថាជា «មន្ត្រ-វ្រ័ត» (mantra-vrata)។
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the excerpt; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework of the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Pilgrimage to a supreme tirtha, combined with a specific dāna (milch-cow), yields exalted heavenly residence (Śakraloka) for vast time.
Application: When visiting sacred places, pair darśana with tangible charity (cow-care, food, education); keep a mantra-sankalpa so the act is intentional rather than touristic.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim arrives at Kāśī’s ghāṭs where the Gaṅgā flows in shimmering bands, temple spires rising behind. Before a small shrine, he offers a richly adorned milch-cow to a brāhmaṇa, while unseen devas shower subtle light, hinting at Śakra’s celestial realm as the promised fruit.","primary_figures":["pilgrim donor","brāhmaṇa recipient","milch-cow (payasvinī dhenu)","Indra (Śakra) as a faint celestial vision","Ganga personified (optional)"],"setting":"Kāśī ghāṭ on the Ganga with steps, boats, lamps, and distant temples; a dāna pavilion near the riverbank.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["river turquoise","sunrise gold","temple sandstone","marigold orange","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kāśī ghāṭ with stylized temples; donor presenting a gem-adorned milch-cow to a brāhmaṇa; gold-leaf river highlights and halos; Indra faintly above on Airāvata with ornate gold detailing; rich reds/greens, heavy ornamentation, sacred grandeur.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical Ganga ghāṭ scene with delicate architecture; soft atmospheric perspective, boats and lamps; donor and brāhmaṇa in refined poses; a subtle cloud-borne Indra vision in cool blues, gentle naturalism and fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of ghāṭ steps and temple towers; stylized cow with decorative cloth; Indra iconography simplified but regal; strong reds/yellows/greens with deep blue river band, mural symmetry and ritual clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Ganga rendered as patterned blue field with lotus motifs; ornate borders of marigolds and bells; narrative panel of go-dāna at Kāśī; celestial Indra motif above, intricate gold accents, devotional festivity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","ghāṭ bells","conch shell","boat oars","distant chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वसेत्कल्पम् → वसेत् कल्पम्; मंत्रव्रतं → मन्त्रव्रतम्; पदच्छेदः—असौ काशीम् समासाद्य धेनुम् दत्ते पयस्विनीम्
FAQs
It highlights Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) as a supremely meritorious sacred place where acts of charity (like go-dāna) are said to yield extraordinary results.
While not explicitly devotional in tone, it reflects Purāṇic religiosity where faith-filled, ritualized giving at a holy site—performed as a vrata—becomes a spiritually potent act aligned with dharma.
It elevates generosity and support of life-sustaining resources (a milch cow) as a key ethical act, teaching that sincere charity performed in a sacred context is believed to bring elevated spiritual reward.