Shloka 98
The Account of Women
Householder Ethics, Fault, Merit, and Govinda-Nāma as Purification
सालंकारां सशय्यां च दत्वाऽनंतफलं लभेत् । अनयोश्च फलं तुभ्यं युवती कन्ययोरपि
sālaṃkārāṃ saśayyāṃ ca datvā'naṃtaphalaṃ labhet | anayośca phalaṃ tubhyaṃ yuvatī kanyayorapi
ആഭരണങ്ങളാൽ അലങ്കരിച്ചവളും ശയ്യയോടുകൂടിയവളുമായ കന്യകയെ ദാനം ചെയ്താൽ അനന്തമായ ഫലം ലഭിക്കും. യുവതിയുടെയും കന്യകയുടെയും ദാനഫലം നിനക്ക് ലഭിക്കും.
Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue typical of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa sections).
Concept: Properly performed dāna, especially in socially protective contexts (supporting a maiden/woman), yields inexhaustible merit (ananta-phala).
Application: Give with dignity: support education, safety, and household stability for women without commodifying them; ensure gifts are respectful, non-coercive, and ethically sourced.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene courtyard before a small Viṣṇu shrine: a benefactor offers ornaments and a neatly arranged bed to a modestly veiled maiden, while elders and a priest witness the act as a dharmic charity rather than spectacle. The scene emphasizes dignity—soft gestures, lowered eyes, and the quiet sanctity of giving.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (as shrine icon)","donor householder","maiden/young woman recipient","brāhmaṇa priest","family elders"],"setting":"Temple-adjacent household courtyard with tulasī-vṛndāvana, brass lamps, and a low platform displaying ornaments and bedding","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron gold","lotus pink","deep maroon","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a South Indian courtyard before a small Vishnu shrine with conch and discus motifs; the donor presents gold ornaments and a folded silk bedspread to a modest maiden; heavy gold leaf halos around the shrine icon and priest, rich reds and greens, gem-studded jewelry, ornate arch frame, intricate floor kolam patterns, devotional stillness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate brushwork; a tulsi planter and small Vishnu niche in the background; the donor offers ornaments and bedding with restrained elegance; cool pastel palette, refined faces, lyrical trees and distant hills, fine textile patterns, gentle narrative calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; Vishnu icon in a small sanctum panel, lamp flames glowing; donor and maiden in stylized poses, large expressive eyes; dominant reds, yellows, and greens; ornamental borders with lotus and conch motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-Vishnu shrine backdrop with lotus motifs; foreground shows ceremonial gifting of ornaments and bedding as seva; intricate floral borders, peacocks perched on arches, deep indigo background with gold highlights, cows subtly included to signal auspiciousness and dharma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft mridangam pulse","lamp crackle","low conch drone","quiet assembly murmur"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दत्वाऽनंतफलं → datvā + ananta-phalam; अनयोश्च → anayoḥ + ca; तुभ्यं युवती (no sandhi); कন্যयोरपि → kanyayoḥ + api. सालंकारां/सशय्यां analyzed as sa- (सह/स) + noun in avyayībhāva sense ‘with …’.
FAQs
It praises giving with completeness—specifically, gifting a recipient who is properly provided for (ornaments and a bed), emphasizing generosity that supports dignity and wellbeing.
“Anantaphala” indicates an immeasurable, enduring spiritual merit (puṇya) attributed to acts of dāna performed with proper intention and adequacy of provision.
The verse underscores responsible giving: charity should not be tokenistic but should meaningfully provide for the recipient; such thoughtful generosity yields lasting spiritual benefit.