Shloka 190
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
तस्य दानेन मंत्रस्य पृथ्वीदानसमं फलं । शतक्रतुसमो मर्त्यः कुलमुद्धरते शतं
tasya dānena maṃtrasya pṛthvīdānasamaṃ phalaṃ | śatakratusamo martyaḥ kulamuddharate śataṃ
ആ മന്ത്രം ദാനം ചെയ്താൽ ഭൂദാനത്തിന്നു തുല്യമായ പുണ്യഫലം ലഭിക്കുന്നു. അത്തരം മർത്ത്യൻ ശതക്രതു (ഇന്ദ്രൻ) സമനായി തന്റെ കുലത്തിലെ നൂറുപേരെ ഉദ്ധരിക്കുന്നു.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to identify the dialogue speaker reliably).
Concept: Mantra-dāna (transmitting sacred formula/knowledge) can equal the highest material gift; merit extends beyond the individual to the lineage.
Application: Share spiritual practices responsibly (teach japa, stotra, ethical vows); support education and dharmic transmission; dedicate merit for family welfare without pride.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage offers a palm-leaf manuscript and a glowing mantra-syllable (as a luminous seed) into the hands of a humble recipient. Above them, the Earth appears as a golden disc-cow emblem, and Indra’s celestial court faintly manifests, signaling that mantra-gift rivals the gift of the whole world.","primary_figures":["sage donor","devotee recipient","Indra (Śatakratu) as celestial witness"],"setting":"A forest āśrama with a small yajña-kuṇḍa; in the sky, a translucent svarga vignette with Indra’s throne and clouds.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["saffron","palm-leaf tan","cloud silver","emerald green","radiant gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sage and recipient exchanging a glowing mantra symbol, heavy gold-leaf aura around the mantra, Indra seated on a gilded throne in the upper register, rich maroon and green drapery, ornate jewelry and embossed borders, traditional South Indian compositional tiers.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate āśrama scene with delicate lines, the mantra depicted as a tiny luminous bīja floating between hands, soft forest greens and cool sky blues, Indra suggested as a small celestial vignette in the corner, refined faces and gentle gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, the mantra as a bright circular glyph, warm red-yellow background with green foliage, Indra with stylized crown and large eyes in the upper band, decorative floral borders like temple wall art.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical devotional tableau with mantra-gift at center, lotus borders and floral motifs, a small svarga panel above with Indra, deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks and cows subtly integrated to echo prosperity and dharma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft conch shell","rustling leaves","low yajña fire crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृथ्वीदानसमं = पृथिवी-दाना-समम् (तत्पुरुष); शतक्रतुसमो = शतक्रतु-समः; कुलमुद्धरते = कुलम् + उद्धरते (सन्धि: म् + उ → मु)।
FAQs
The verse praises mantra-dāna—sharing or gifting a sacred mantra to a worthy recipient—as a supremely meritorious act.
Pṛthvī-dāna is a hyperbolic benchmark for the highest generosity; the verse elevates spiritual giving (mantra transmission) as equal or comparable in spiritual fruit.
The ethical message is that selfless spiritual generosity benefits not only the giver but also their wider lineage, highlighting responsibility beyond the individual.