Shloka 13
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
सप्तद्वीपां महीं दत्त्वा यत्पुण्यं प्राप्यते द्विज । तत्पुण्यं प्राप्नुयान्मर्त्यो धेनुं यच्छन्द्विजातये
saptadvīpāṃ mahīṃ dattvā yatpuṇyaṃ prāpyate dvija | tatpuṇyaṃ prāpnuyānmartyo dhenuṃ yacchandvijātaye
ഹേ ദ്വിജാ! സപ്തദ്വീപങ്ങളോടുകൂടിയ ഭൂമി ദാനം ചെയ്താൽ ലഭിക്കുന്ന പുണ്യം എത്രയോ, അതേ പുണ്യം മർത്ത്യൻ ദ്വിജാതിക്കു ഒരു ധേനുവിനെ (പശുവിനെ) ദാനം ചെയ്താൽ ലഭിക്കുന്നു।
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing a dvija in this verse)
Concept: Go-dāna to a dvija can equal the merit of gifting the entire earth—small, sincere, dharmically targeted charity yields vast spiritual return.
Application: Practice regular, capacity-appropriate giving (especially livelihood-supporting gifts) with śraddhā; prioritize sustaining dharmic learning and worship rather than performative largesse.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble householder leads a decorated cow with a garland and a copper pot of water to a seated brāhmaṇa, while behind them a translucent cosmic map of seven dvīpas appears like a divine vision—suggesting that this simple gift mirrors the grandeur of gifting the whole world. The brāhmaṇa raises a blessing hand, and a faint aura of Viṣṇu’s conch-disc radiance crowns the act.","primary_figures":["householder donor","brāhmaṇa recipient","decorated cow (go)","Viṣṇu (subtle aura or emblematic presence)"],"setting":"village courtyard near a small altar with kusa grass, water pot, and lamps; cosmic dvīpa vision in the sky","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","sapphire blue","milk white","marigold gold","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central go-dāna scene with richly adorned cow, brāhmaṇa seated on a low āsana, donor offering with folded hands; gold leaf aura forming a seven-dvīpa mandala in the background, gem-like ornamentation, deep reds/greens, embossed halos and ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard go-dāna with delicate floral garlands, soft pastel sky showing a faint seven-dvīpa diagram like a cloud-vision; fine brushwork, lyrical trees, gentle expressions, cool blues and spring greens.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized cow with bold outlines, brāhmaṇa and donor in ritual posture, a circular seven-dvīpa mandala behind like a temple mural medallion; strong reds/yellows/greens, patterned borders, iconic eyes and gestures.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow-centered composition with lotus borders, peacocks and floral vines; a mandala of seven dvīpas rendered as concentric rings behind the cow, deep blue ground with gold detailing, intricate textile motifs and devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["cow bells","temple bells","soft conch shell","gentle crowd murmur","birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्पुण्यं = यत् + पुण्यम्; तत्पुण्यं = तत् + पुण्यम्; प्राप्नुयान्मर्त्यो = प्राप्नुयात् + मर्त्यः; यच्छन्द्विजातये = यच्छन् + द्विजातये (न् + द् संधि)
FAQs
The verse praises go-dāna—donating a cow—especially when given to a dvija (traditionally a brāhmaṇa), presenting it as an exceptionally meritorious act.
It uses hyperbolic comparison to emphasize the extraordinary spiritual value assigned to go-dāna within dharma literature—equating a single cow-gift with the vast merit of donating the whole world.
It teaches that sincere, well-directed charity—especially supporting learned and dharmic recipients—can yield immense merit, making lofty spiritual goals accessible through practical acts of giving.