Shloka 9
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
दानधर्मं निषेवेत पात्रमासाद्य शक्तितः । उपास्यते तु तत्पात्रं यत्तारयति सर्वतः
dānadharmaṃ niṣeveta pātramāsādya śaktitaḥ | upāsyate tu tatpātraṃ yattārayati sarvataḥ
ಶಕ್ತಿಯಂತೆ ಯೋಗ್ಯ ಪಾತ್ರನನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ದಾನಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು; ಎಲ್ಲ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನಿಂದಲೂ (ಸಂಸಾರಬಂಧನದಿಂದ) ತಾರಿಸುವ ಪಾತ್ರನೇ ಪೂಜ್ಯನು.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within the Svarga-khaṇḍa context; commonly transmitted within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame in Padma Purāṇa recensions).
Concept: Charity must be practiced with discernment: find a worthy recipient and give according to capacity; the worthy recipient is one who ‘delivers’ others—spiritually elevates them.
Application: Choose recipients who genuinely reduce suffering and cultivate virtue; budget giving sustainably; honor teachers/saints and effective service institutions rather than impulsive or exploitative channels.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler at a crossroads meets various potential recipients—some greedy, some indifferent, and one luminous sage/saint whose presence calms the air. The donor offers within his means, while a symbolic boat appears behind the worthy recipient, hinting at ‘tārayati’—the power to carry others across the ocean of existence.","primary_figures":["a discerning donor","a worthy saint/teacher (pātra)","unworthy petitioners (apātra figures)"],"setting":"Crossroads near a wayside shrine with a small dharma-stambha, banyan tree, and distant river-like horizon symbolizing saṃsāra.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm ochre","river blue","banyan green","ash gray","sunlit gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: donor at center offering coins/grain; the pātra-saint with radiant halo and a small boat motif in gold leaf; apātra figures in muted tones; ornate border, rich reds/greens, gold leaf highlighting the saint and dharma-stambha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative tableau at a crossroads under a banyan; delicate expressions distinguishing worthy/unworthy; a poetic river-horizon and tiny boat symbol; cool blues and greens with soft sunrise wash.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figures with bold outlines; saint rendered with luminous yellow aura; apātra figures simplified; symbolic boat and ocean-wave band at the bottom border; temple mural composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central saint framed by lotus and wave motifs; donor offering; border medallions showing ‘śakti-mātra’ (measured handfuls of grain) and ‘pātra’ symbols; deep blue background with gold and floral intricacy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on earth","banyan leaves rustle","small hand bell at shrine","distant flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पात्रमासाद्य → पात्रम् आसाद्य; तत्पात्रं → तत्-पात्रम्; यत्तारयति → यत् तारयति.
FAQs
It teaches that charity should be practiced as dharma, given to a worthy recipient (pātra), and proportionate to one’s means (śaktitaḥ).
A recipient is ‘pātra’ when they are capable of benefiting others—described as one who ‘delivers’ or uplifts people in every respect (yat tārayati sarvataḥ), such as a truly virtuous or spiritually elevating person.
It emphasizes discernment and responsibility in giving: generosity should be sincere, within one’s capacity, and directed toward recipients whose character and actions lead to the welfare and upliftment of others.