Shloka 99
The Account of Women
Householder Ethics, Fault, Merit, and Govinda-Nāma as Purification
एका वराय दातव्या अपरा ब्राह्मणाय तु । क्रीता देवा यदातव्या धीरेणाकष्टकर्मणा
ekā varāya dātavyā aparā brāhmaṇāya tu | krītā devā yadātavyā dhīreṇākaṣṭakarmaṇā
ഒന്ന് വരനും മറ്റൊന്ന് ബ്രാഹ്മണനും നൽകണം. ധീരനായ മനുഷ്യൻ ക്ലേശരഹിതമായ കർമ്മങ്ങളിലൂടെ സമ്പാദിച്ച വസ്തുക്കൾ ദാനം ചെയ്യണം.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Adhyaya 52).
Concept: Dāna must be properly apportioned (to bridegroom and to brāhmaṇa) and must come from righteous, non-harmful livelihood.
Application: Give responsibly: split support between immediate stakeholders and spiritual/educational institutions; ensure donations are from ethical income and do not arise from exploitation or ‘distressing toil’ imposed on others.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wedding pavilion with a sacred fire: two distinct gift trays are presented—one to the bridegroom seated with calm dignity, and another to a learned brāhmaṇa with a palm-leaf manuscript. The donor’s posture conveys steadiness and restraint, highlighting ethical earning and correct distribution.","primary_figures":["bridegroom (vara)","brāhmaṇa recipient","donor householder","wedding priest","family attendants"],"setting":"Maṇḍapa with yajña-kuṇḍa, garlands, banana stems, and ritual vessels; gift trays arranged symmetrically","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["vermillion red","turmeric yellow","sandalwood beige","peacock blue","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: wedding mandapa with blazing sacred fire; donor offers two ornate trays—one to the groom, one to a Brahmin holding a manuscript; gold leaf highlights on jewelry, fire, and temple-like arch; rich reds/greens, gem-studded ornaments, symmetrical composition emphasizing dharmic order.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined wedding pavilion with delicate textiles; two gift exchanges shown in a single lyrical frame; cool blues and soft reds, fine facial expressions, gentle hills and trees beyond the pavilion, intricate patterns on shawls and manuscripts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized mandapa and fire altar; donor centered, extending two offerings; Brahmin with manuscript and groom with garland; strong red-yellow-green palette, decorative borders with conch and lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-Vishnu presence implied via a small shrine panel; mandapa filled with lotus and floral borders; two offering trays depicted with intricate ornamentation; deep indigo background, gold detailing, peacocks on the border, devotional auspiciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["mantra murmurs","sacred fire crackle","temple bells","conch shell","soft hand cymbals"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धीरेणाकष्टकर्मणा → dhīreṇa + akaṣṭakarmaṇā. यदातव्या in IAST resolved as yadā + dātavyā.
FAQs
It instructs that two appropriate gifts should be made—one to the bridegroom and one to a Brāhmaṇa—and that charity should be given from properly acquired means by a steady, ethical person.
The verse reflects a dharmic social framework in which household rites and life-cycle ceremonies include honoring the bridegroom (as part of the marriage context) and supporting Brāhmaṇas (as custodians of ritual learning and recipients in prescribed dāna).
It emphasizes that giving should be grounded in steady character and in livelihood that does not cause undue hardship or harm—suggesting that charity is best when supported by righteous and sustainable earning.