Shloka 181
Brahmā’s Puṣkara Sacrifice: Ṛtvij System, Sāvitrī’s Reconciliation, Tīrtha-Catalogue, Śrāddha & Initiation Rites, and Vrata Fruits
अथवा या कुमारीणां भक्त्या दद्याच्च भोजनम् । तस्याः कुले भवेद्वंध्या न कदाचिच्च दुर्भगा
athavā yā kumārīṇāṃ bhaktyā dadyācca bhojanam | tasyāḥ kule bhavedvaṃdhyā na kadācicca durbhagā
അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഭക്തിയോടെ കുമാരിമാർക്ക് ഭോജനം നൽകുന്ന സ്ത്രീയുടെ കുലത്തിൽ ഒരിക്കലും വന്ധ്യത ഉണ്ടാകുകയില്ല; അവൾ ഒരിക്കലും ദുര്ഭാഗിനിയാകുകയുമില്ല.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the chapter context)
Concept: Kanyā-bhojana offered with devotion generates auspicious lineage-blessings—removing barrenness and misfortune—by honoring śakti and purity through compassionate giving.
Application: Support and honor girls in practical ways—food, education, safety—done with sincerity rather than display; cultivate a home culture that treats giving as worship.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A woman devotee gently serves sweet rice and fruits to a row of young maidens seated on clean mats, each with flowers in their hair. The atmosphere is tender and auspicious, as if the household itself becomes a sanctum where blessings for lineage and fortune descend.","primary_figures":["woman devotee","young maidens (kanyāḥ)"],"setting":"Inner courtyard with rangoli, brass water pot, flower garlands, and a small shrine niche; plates arranged neatly in a line.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","rice-white","rose pink","leaf green","turmeric yellow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central devotee offering kheer and fruits to seated kanyās; gold leaf accents on vessels and borders, rich crimson backdrop, ornate jewelry and textiles, halo-like glow around the act of charity, traditional South Indian domestic shrine elements.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate domestic scene with soft pastel tones; kanyās seated in a gentle arc, the devotee serving with humility; fine floral details, airy courtyard, distant trees and a pale sky, refined facial expressions conveying innocence and blessing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figures with bold outlines; the devotee and kanyās arranged in rhythmic symmetry; strong red/yellow/green palette, patterned floor, lamp and flower motifs, temple-wall compositional clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: kanyā-bhojana framed by lotus borders and floral vines; deep blue background with gold highlights on plates and ornaments; peacocks and lotuses symbolizing auspiciousness, intricate textile patterns emphasizing sacred domestic ritual."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft bells","women’s low chant","birds at dawn","water poured into cups","gentle silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्याच्च = दद्यात् + च; भवेद्वन्ध्या = भवेत् + वन्ध्या; कदाचिच्च = कदाचित् + च.
FAQs
It describes kumārī-bhojana—devoutly offering a meal (food) to young maidens as an act of dāna performed with bhakti.
The merit is tied not merely to giving, but to giving “with devotion” (bhaktyā), presenting inner attitude as central to the act’s spiritual fruit.
It promotes compassionate giving and respectful hospitality—supporting and honoring others through nourishment offered in a devotional spirit.