Shloka 29
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
आराधयेद्द्विजमुखेन तस्यास्ति पुनर्भवः । कृष्णाष्टम्यां विशेषेण धार्मिकाय द्विजातये
ārādhayeddvijamukhena tasyāsti punarbhavaḥ | kṛṣṇāṣṭamyāṃ viśeṣeṇa dhārmikāya dvijātaye
ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣನ ಮುಖದಿಂದ (ಮಂತ್ರೋಚ್ಚಾರಣೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ) ಆರಾಧನೆ ಮಾಡಿಸುವವನಿಗೆ ಪುನರ್ಜನ್ಮ ಉಂಟಾಗುತ್ತದೆ; ಆದರೆ ಕೃಷ್ಣಾಷ್ಟಮಿ ಧರ್ಮನಿಷ್ಠ ದ್ವಿಜನಿಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಪುಣ್ಯಕಾಲ.
Unspecified (context-dependent; Svarga-khaṇḍa commonly occurs in a narrated dialogue, but this single verse does not identify the speaker).
Concept: Ritual acts mediated through a brāhmaṇa’s recitation/agency must be aligned with dharma and proper intent; Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī is singled out as a potent tithi for the righteous dvija.
Application: Seek competent guidance for rites, but prioritize ethical living; treat holy days (like Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī) as opportunities for restraint, japa, and charity rather than mechanical ritualism.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned brāhmaṇa sits on kuśa grass, reciting mantras with a ladle poised over a small fire, while a patron listens with folded hands. Above them, the calendar-tithi is personified as a dark-aṣṭamī moon segment, hinting that time itself becomes sacred when joined to dharma.","primary_figures":["a brāhmaṇa officiant","a dvija patron (yajamāna)","optional: personified Tithi-deity"],"setting":"Courtyard ritual space with homa-kuṇḍa, palm-leaf manuscripts, water pot, and simple offerings.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["saffron","smoke gray","copper","deep indigo","sand beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: brāhmaṇa priest with sacred thread and palm-leaf text, homa fire rendered with gold leaf highlights; patron kneeling with offerings, ornate border, rich reds and greens, gold embossing on ritual vessels and halo-like tithi motif in the upper corner.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate domestic yajña scene, fine brushwork on faces and textiles; small fire altar, manuscripts, water pot; cool indigo sky indicating Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, gentle naturalism and restrained palette.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized priest and patron with bold outlines, patterned floor, ritual implements simplified into iconic forms; warm reds/yellows with green accents, tithi symbol as crescent-like motif above.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative ritual tableau framed by floral borders; repeating motifs of kuśa, kalasha, and small flames; indigo background with gold linework, symmetrical composition emphasizing mantra and dharma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["mantra chanting","fire crackle","soft bell","rustling palm leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आराधयेद्द्विजमुखेन = आराधयेत् + द्विजमुखेन; तस्यास्ति = तस्य + अस्ति
FAQs
It indicates a ritual model where worship or a rite is carried out via a brāhmaṇa’s recitation (“through the mouth of a dvija”), highlighting the role of Vedic utterance and priestly mediation in certain ceremonies.
The verse marks Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī (the eighth lunar day of the dark fortnight) as a particularly potent or distinguished time for religious observance, especially for a righteous twice-born person.
It emphasizes dhārmika conduct (righteousness) and proper ritual performance (including sanctioned recitation), suggesting that timing (Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī) and adherence to dharma shape the religious merit of observances.