Shloka 182
Brahmā’s Puṣkara Sacrifice and the Manifestation of Sarasvatī
with Tīrtha-Merit Teachings
तत्र क्रतुशतं पुण्यं स्नानदानेन सुव्रते । श्राद्धदाने तथा नित्यं पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम्
tatra kratuśataṃ puṇyaṃ snānadānena suvrate | śrāddhadāne tathā nityaṃ pitṝṇāṃ dattamakṣayam
ഹേ സുവ്രതേ! അവിടെ സ്നാനവും ദാനവും ചെയ്താൽ നൂറു യാഗങ്ങളുടെ തുല്യമായ പുണ്യം ലഭിക്കും; കൂടാതെ നിത്യമായി ശ്രാദ്ധത്തിൽ പിതൃകൾക്കു നൽകിയ ദാനവും അക്ഷയമാകും।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; speaker not explicit in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Simple acts—bathing, gifting, and regular śrāddha—performed at a sanctified locus multiply into immense merit and enduring ancestral benefit.
Application: Keep a rhythm of charity and remembrance: give regularly, perform ancestral gratitude rites when appropriate, and use pilgrimages/holy days to intensify these acts.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred ghāṭa thrums with quiet holiness: pilgrims step into shimmering water for snāna while others offer dāna—cloth, grain, and lamps—to waiting brāhmaṇas and the poor. Nearby, a serene śrāddha scene unfolds with sesame-water tarpaṇa, as subtle ancestral forms receive the offering like soft light rising from the river mist.","primary_figures":["Pilgrims/householders","Brāhmaṇas performing śrāddha","Pitṛs (subtle luminous silhouettes)","River-deity presence (suggested in the water)"],"setting":"Ancient stone ghāṭa at a tīrtha; ritual platforms with kusa grass, sesame, water pots; river flowing steadily","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","lamp-flame amber","stone gray","saffron","silver mist"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Grand ghāṭa scene with gold leaf accents on lamps and halos; central group performing snāna in stylized waves, another group giving dāna with ornate vessels; śrāddha platform with brāhmaṇa and householder, pitṛs shown as faint golden figures above; rich reds/greens, heavy jewelry, architectural arches behind.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Intimate riverbank ritual—small figures in careful detail, gentle ripples, misty atmosphere; one vignette for snāna, one for dāna, one for śrāddha; cool blues and grays with warm saffron accents; refined expressions of devotion and gratitude.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Register-based composition—top: river-deity implied; middle: snāna and dāna; bottom: śrāddha with tarpaṇa; bold outlines, earthy pigments, stylized waves and lotuses; decorative border of lamps and sesame motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Ornate ghāṭa with repeating lotus borders; many small devotees in patterned garments; lamps and floral motifs in gold; pitṛs depicted as delicate golden outlines rising like incense; deep blue background emphasizing ‘akṣaya’ (enduring) radiance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["river current","temple bells","chanting of mantras","clinking of offering vessels"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्रतुशतं = क्रतु-शतम्; स्नानदानेन = स्नान-दानेन; श्राद्धदाने = श्राद्ध-दाने; दत्तमक्षयम् = दत्तम् अक्षयम्
FAQs
The verse praises three acts: sacred bathing (snāna), charitable giving (dāna), and giving as part of the śrāddha rite for the ancestors (pitṛs).
It is a traditional Purāṇic way of expressing exceptionally high spiritual merit—equating simple pious acts done in the right place/time with the fruit of many elaborate Vedic sacrifices.
Regular generosity and remembrance of one’s ancestors through śrāddha are presented as enduring duties whose spiritual benefit is described as “imperishable” (akṣaya).