Shloka 17
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
प्रवालं मौक्तिकं चैव हीरकं च मणिं तथा । यो ददाति द्विजश्रेष्ठ स्वर्गलोकं स गच्छति
pravālaṃ mauktikaṃ caiva hīrakaṃ ca maṇiṃ tathā | yo dadāti dvijaśreṣṭha svargalokaṃ sa gacchati
ഹേ ദ്വിജശ്രേഷ്ഠാ! പ്രവാളം, മുത്ത്, വജ്രം, മറ്റ് മണിരത്നങ്ങൾ എന്നിവ ദാനം ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ സ്വർഗ്ഗലോകം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to attribute to Pulastya–Bhīṣma or another dialogue frame).
Concept: Dāna of valued substances yields svarga as karmaphala.
Application: Practice intentional charity: give high-quality items (or their modern equivalents) with purity of means and respect for recipients; pair giving with remembrance of Nārāyaṇa to spiritualize the act.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned brāhmaṇa sits on a kusa-grass seat as a householder offers coral branches, pearl strands, a faceted diamond, and a casket of gems on a silk cloth. Above them, a translucent vision of Svarga appears—Indra’s city shimmering—suggesting the unseen fruit of charity.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa recipient","gṛhastha donor","Indra (visionary, optional)"],"setting":"courtyard altar with small agni-kuṇḍa, ritual vessels, and a donation tray; distant celestial city in the sky","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","pearl white","sapphire blue","gold leaf","coral red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a gṛhastha presenting coral, pearl garlands, a diamond and gem casket to a serene brāhmaṇa seated on a pedestal; ornate arch backdrop, gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded jewelry, faint Svarga vignette above with Indra’s Amarāvatī rendered in embossed gold.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard dāna scene with delicate brushwork; donor kneeling with a silk cloth of jewels, brāhmaṇa calm and blessing; cool pastel sky where Amarāvatī appears like a mirage, fine floral borders, refined facial features and gentle Himalayan-like horizon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; brāhmaṇa and donor in frontal poise, stylized ornaments, ritual vessels and lamp; Svarga suggested as a patterned golden cloud band above, dominant reds/yellows/greens with deep indigo accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional dāna tableau framed by lotus and vine borders; jewels arranged like offerings before a sanctified brāhmaṇa; peacocks and temple lamps at the edges; deep blue ground with gold detailing, emphasizing auspiciousness and merit."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","low murmur of mantra","gentle courtyard birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; स्वर्गलोकं = स्वर्गलोकम् (म्→ं)
FAQs
It praises ratna-dāna—donating valuable items such as coral, pearls, diamonds, and other gems—as a meritorious act.
The verse states that the donor attains svargaloka, the heavenly realm, as the result of this gift.
It emphasizes dāna (generosity) and the idea that selfless giving—especially of precious possessions—creates spiritual merit (puṇya) leading to auspicious outcomes.