Shloka 56
Brahmin Right Conduct: Morning Remembrance, Bathing, Purification, and Tarpaṇa Method
तर्पयेत्पितृसंदोहं लक्षकोटिगुणं भवेत् । अंगुष्ठदेशिनी मध्ये सव्यहस्तस्य खड्गकम्
tarpayetpitṛsaṃdohaṃ lakṣakoṭiguṇaṃ bhavet | aṃguṣṭhadeśinī madhye savyahastasya khaḍgakam
പിതൃഗണങ്ങളെ തർപ്പണം ചെയ്യണം; അതിന്റെ പുണ്യം ലക്ഷ-കോടിഗുണം വർധിക്കും. ഇടങ്കൈയിലെ അങ്കുഷ്ഠവും തർജനിയും ഇടയിൽ ‘ഖഡ്ഗ’ മുദ്ര രൂപപ്പെടുന്നു…
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Even subtle bodily configurations (mudrā) are treated as conduits that shape ritual potency; honoring the entire pitṛ-saṃdoha yields immeasurable puṇya.
Application: Treat small ‘forms’ in daily practice—posture, attention, cleanliness—as meaningful; they train the mind toward steadiness and reverence.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The left hand forms a sharp, sword-like mudrā between thumb and index finger, held above a shimmering bowl of water as sesame seeds float like tiny stars. Behind the ritualist, countless Pitṛs appear in layered, misty ranks, receiving the libations as waves of light expand outward to suggest ‘lakṣa-koṭi’ magnitude.","primary_figures":["ritualist (yajamāna)","Pitṛ-saṃdoha (multitude of ancestors)"],"setting":"riverbank or ghāṭa with offering bowl, sesame, kuśa grass, and a calm water surface reflecting light","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver","smoky lavender","pale gold","black stone"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic close-up of the khaḍga-mudrā on the left hand above a jeweled water bowl, gold leaf rays indicating immense merit, layered ancestral figures with haloed outlines, rich crimson and emerald borders, gem-studded ornaments and vessels, ornate South Indian framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant depiction of the left-hand mudrā with fine detailing, sesame seeds like tiny dots, soft moonlit river scene, multiple translucent Pitṛ figures in receding layers, cool palette and lyrical atmosphere, delicate facial features and gentle awe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of the hand mudrā, patterned aura bands showing puṇya expansion, stylized Pitṛ ranks, river waves as repeating motifs, natural pigments with strong reds/yellows/greens balanced by deep blues, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central mudrā motif framed by lotus and creeper borders, deep blue ground with gold highlights, repeated small ancestral silhouettes as decorative pattern, ritual vessels and water motifs, intricate floral density and devotional symbolism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing water","conch shell","low drum (mridang)","wind through trees"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tarpayetpitṛsaṃdohaṃ = tarpayet + pitṛsaṃdoham. ‘aṃguṣṭhadeśinī’ पाठे द्वन्द्वार्थः; सामान्यतः ‘aṃguṣṭha-deśinyoḥ madhye’ अपेक्षितम्।
FAQs
It describes Pitṛ-tarpaṇa—offering water-libations (tarpana) to one’s ancestors (Pitṛs), emphasizing its greatly multiplied merit.
It refers to a specific hand-configuration (a kind of ritual gesture) formed between the thumb and index finger of the left hand, described metaphorically as ‘sword-like’ (khaḍga).
It underscores gratitude and duty toward one’s lineage—honoring ancestors through prescribed rites is presented as highly meritorious and spiritually efficacious.