Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
स भवेत्सर्वशास्त्रज्ञो द्विजो वेदविदां वरः । सर्वधर्मार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मार्तः पौराणिको भवेत्
sa bhavetsarvaśāstrajño dvijo vedavidāṃ varaḥ | sarvadharmārthatattvajñaḥ smārtaḥ paurāṇiko bhavet
ទ្វិជៈនោះក្លាយជាអ្នកដឹងគម្ពីរទាំងអស់ ជាអ្នកល្អឥតខ្ចោះក្នុងចំណោមអ្នកដឹងវេដៈ; គាត់ដឹងសច្ចធាតុនៃធម្ម និងអត្ថៈ ជាអ្នកគោរពតាមស្ម្រឹតិ និងជាបណ្ឌិតអ្នកបកស្រាយបុរាណៈ។
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhavetsarvaśāstrajñaḥ = bhavet + sarvaśāstrajñaḥ.
It praises comprehensive sacred learning: mastery of śāstra and Veda, understanding the principles of dharma and artha, and being grounded in Smṛti and Purāṇic tradition.
“Smārta” indicates one who follows and understands Smṛti-based dharma (codes of conduct and tradition), while “paurāṇika” indicates one learned in the Purāṇas—able to study, interpret, or recite them.
The verse implies that true excellence is not mere memorization but integrated wisdom—linking Vedic knowledge with practical dharma, life-purpose (artha), and traditional guidance from Smṛti and Purāṇas.