Shloka 106
Rāma’s Meeting with Agastya: Gift-Ethics (Dāna) and the Tale of King Śveta
आहारं कुत्सितं चेमं राजर्षे किं पुनस्तव । सुरकार्यं महत्तेन सुकृतं तु महात्मना
āhāraṃ kutsitaṃ cemaṃ rājarṣe kiṃ punastava | surakāryaṃ mahattena sukṛtaṃ tu mahātmanā
ഹേ രാജർഷേ! ഈ (ലഘു) ആഹാരവും നിന്ദ്യമായി കരുതപ്പെടുന്നുവെങ്കിൽ, നിന്റെ കാര്യത്തിൽ പിന്നെ എന്ത് പറയണം? എങ്കിലും ആ മഹാത്മാവ് ആ മഹത്തായ കർമംകൊണ്ട് ദേവകാര്യത്തെ മഹത്തായി നിർവഹിച്ചു.
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/speaker in Adhyaya 36; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: True greatness is measured by noble intention and service to cosmic order, not by the refinement of one’s food or comforts.
Application: Practice simplicity without self-contempt; evaluate choices by their capacity to serve others and uphold dharma rather than status.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal sage sits on kusa grass beside a modest leaf-plate of simple food, while celestial beings look on approvingly. The atmosphere contrasts outward simplicity with inward grandeur: a subtle aura around the noble-souled doer, suggesting that the ‘great service to the gods’ has been accomplished through humility and resolve.","primary_figures":["Rājarṣi (royal sage)","Devas (witnessing)","A praising narrator/sage figure"],"setting":"Forest hermitage edge with a small sacrificial fire, leaf-plate, water pot, and distant glimpse of a celestial chariot in the sky.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","leaf green","saffron","smoke gray","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a rājarṣi with restrained royal ornaments seated in tapas posture, simple offering on a banana leaf; devas above in a semicircle; gold leaf haloing the sage’s head to show inner merit; rich maroon and green drapery, ornate frame with floral motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate hermitage scene with delicate trees and a small fire altar; the sage’s calm face rendered with fine lines; devas as small luminous figures in the sky; cool greens and gentle ochres, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized forest elements, the sage seated frontally with expressive eyes; devas in symmetrical arrangement; strong saffron-red-yellow-green palette with temple-wall gravitas.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of vines and lotuses; central figure of the sage offering simple food as if to Vishnu’s unseen presence; celestial attendants in patterned rows; deep indigo background with gold floral detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","forest birds","soft hand cymbals","gentle wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cemaṃ = ca + imam; punastava = punar + tava.
FAQs
It contrasts the perceived lowliness of an offering (food) with the greatness of the spiritual outcome, emphasizing that sincere action can accomplish significant divine service (sura-kārya) and generate merit (sukṛta).
No. The verse implies that even if something appears humble or “contemptible,” the resulting merit can be great when the act serves a higher divine purpose.
Do not belittle modest means or simple offerings; evaluate actions by intention, dharmic purpose, and the beneficial results they produce.