Shloka 181
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
एकं च दशभिर्दद्यात्सहस्राणां शतं फलम् । तस्यानुसारतो वेद्यं फलं नारद यत्नतः
ekaṃ ca daśabhirdadyātsahasrāṇāṃ śataṃ phalam | tasyānusārato vedyaṃ phalaṃ nārada yatnataḥ
ഒന്നിന് പകരം പത്ത് ദാനം ചെയ്താൽ ഫലം ആയിരങ്ങളുടെ നൂറിരട്ടിയാകും। ഹേ നാരദാ, ആ അനുപാതപ്രകാരം പുണ്യഫലം ശ്രദ്ധയോടെ അറിയണം।
Unspecified narrator addressing Nārada (Nārada is the addressee in this verse).
Concept: Merit increases proportionally with the scale of giving; understand phala by the rule of proportion.
Application: Be consistent and intentional in charity; scale up giving when possible; keep a disciplined record of commitments (saṅkalpa) rather than impulsive acts.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage-teacher gestures toward a palm-leaf manuscript where numbers and symbolic cow icons multiply across the page, illustrating proportionate merit. Nārada listens attentively, vīṇā resting at his side, as a subtle cosmic backdrop suggests karmic arithmetic unfolding in the unseen.","primary_figures":["Nārada","teaching sage/narrator figure","symbolic cows (as icons or small vignettes)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama study space with manuscripts, kusa grass seat, and a small sacrificial fire","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","forest green","ink black","ochre","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Nārada with vīṇā seated before a sage, palm-leaf manuscript open showing repeating cow motifs and auspicious numerals; gold leaf highlights on manuscript edges and halos, rich earthy reds/greens, ornate borders framing a serene āśrama scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet hermitage lesson with Nārada listening, delicate manuscript details with tiny cow vignettes multiplying in rows; cool greens and browns, refined faces, gentle smoke from a small fire, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Nārada and sage in profile, manuscript panel with repeated cow symbols in rhythmic pattern; bold outlines, natural pigments, temple-wall composition with decorative bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Nārada framed by floral borders, manuscript rendered as a central medallion filled with repeating cow motifs and lotus patterns, deep blue background with gold accents and intricate textile geometry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["forest birds","soft vīṇā drone","crackling fire","gentle silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दशभिर्दद्यात् = दशभिः + दद्यात्; तस्यानुसारतः = तस्य + अनुसारतः।
FAQs
It teaches that the spiritual ‘fruit’ (puṇya/merit) of giving increases greatly with increased generosity, and that the result should be understood proportionally.
Nārada is commonly portrayed as a divine sage and inquisitor; addressing him frames the teaching as an authoritative instruction within a dialogic Purāṇic setting.
It emphasizes intentional generosity and careful understanding of one’s actions—encouraging giving more than the minimum and reflecting on the consequences and merits of charity.