Shloka 57
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
दानं दाता प्रतिग्राही न स्मरेच्च न याचते । निरये चोभयोर्वासो यावच्चंद्र दिवाकरौ
dānaṃ dātā pratigrāhī na smarecca na yācate | niraye cobhayorvāso yāvaccaṃdra divākarau
ദാനകാര്യത്തിൽ ദാതാവും പ്രതിഗ്രാഹിയും അത് വീണ്ടും ഓർക്കുകയോ പറയുകയോ ചെയ്യരുത്; ആരും ചോദിക്കയും അരുത്. അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ചന്ദ്രസൂര്യർ നിലനിൽക്കുന്നത്രയും കാലം ഇരുവരും നരകത്തിൽ വസിക്കും.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa context; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Dāna must be free from bargaining, boasting, reminders, or solicitation; otherwise both parties incur demerit.
Application: Give quietly; receive without entitlement; avoid publicizing gifts or pressuring donors—keep charity dignified and non-transactional.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A giver places a covered vessel of grain and cloth at a brāhmaṇa’s feet, both figures averting their gaze in mutual humility. Above them, the sun and moon appear as steady witnesses, while a faint shadow of naraka lingers at the edge—warning against pride and solicitation.","primary_figures":["giver (gṛhastha)","receiver brāhmaṇa (dvija)","sun (Sūrya) and moon (Candra) as symbolic witnesses"],"setting":"Quiet āśrama veranda with a tulasi pot and a small yajña-kuṇḍa in the background (symbolic, not textual).","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["soft saffron","ivory white","leaf green","sky blue","warm gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: symmetrical composition—giver offering a covered dāna-pātra, brāhmaṇa receiving with restrained mudrā; sun and moon in the upper corners as gold-leaf medallions; ornate borders, rich reds/greens, gold leaf highlighting vessels and halos, dignified South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle, lyrical scene on an āśrama porch; delicate gestures showing ‘no asking, no reminding’; sun and moon painted as calm celestial discs; cool pastel palette with fine textile patterns and minimal architecture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and flat pigments—two figures in composed postures, sun and moon as stylized emblems; emphasis on moral clarity through strong reds, yellows, and greens; temple-wall feel with decorative creeper motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central dāna scene framed by lotus vines; sun and moon as ornate roundels; deep blue background with gold highlights; peacocks and floral borders suggesting auspiciousness and restraint."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","temple bells distant","morning birds","measured silence after the warning line"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्मरेच्च = स्मरेत् + च (त् + च → च्च). चोभयोः = च + उभयोः. यावच्चंद्र = यावत् + चन्द्रः (त् + च → च्च).
FAQs
It teaches that charity should be given and accepted without later reminders, boasting, or repeated requests—dāna should be free from bargaining and self-interest.
Because both can corrupt the act of charity: the giver by repeatedly mentioning it, and the receiver by repeatedly asking—both turn dāna into a transactional act.
Give quietly and without expecting recognition, and receive without pressuring others; preserve the purity of generosity and gratitude.