Shloka 36
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
ततो धर्मतुलायां तु तुलितं धर्मसाक्षिणा । दीनारायुतदानस्य पुष्करिण्या जलस्य तु
tato dharmatulāyāṃ tu tulitaṃ dharmasākṣiṇā | dīnārāyutadānasya puṣkariṇyā jalasya tu
അപ്പോൾ ധർമ്മതുലയിൽ, ധർമ്മം തന്നെയെ സാക്ഷിയാക്കി, പത്തായിരം ദീനാര ദാനത്തിന്റെ പുണ്യവും പുണ്യപുഷ്കരിണിയിലെ ജലത്തിന്റെ പുണ്യവും തൂക്കിക്കാണിച്ചു।
Narrator (contextual; specific dialogue speaker not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Sacred water and dharmic intention can surpass vast monetary charity when weighed in Dharma’s own measure.
Application: Prioritize purity of offering and sanctified acts (water-offering, tīrtha service, supporting public water sources) over mere display of wealth; give in ways that relieve thirst and support ritual cleanliness.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A celestial scale of Dharma stands in a luminous hall: on one pan, heaps of gold dīnāras shimmer; on the other, a crystal vessel of puṣkariṇī water glows with inner light, outweighing the coins. Dharma as a radiant witness presides, recording the subtle weight of intention and sanctity as lotus petals drift through the air.","primary_figures":["Dharma (as divine witness)","a donor (wealthy householder)","tīrtha-priest/ṛṣi attendant"],"setting":"A sanctified tīrtha precinct blending earthly tank steps with a subtle celestial courtroom—stone ghāṭas, lotus-filled water, and an ethereal judgment pavilion.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["gold leaf","lotus pink","crystal white","sapphire blue","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Dharma seated as a regal deity beside a grand golden balance; one side piled with dīnāra coins, the other with a jeweled kalasha of puṣkariṇī water emitting a halo; ornate arch, gold leaf background, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, lotus motifs around the ghāṭa steps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined moral tableau on a riverbank-like ghāṭa; delicate balance scale, tiny gold coins contrasted with a translucent water pot; soft Himalayan-like hills in the distance, cool blues and greens, lyrical lotus pond, gentle expressions and fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines; Dharma with large expressive eyes and crown, standing beside a stylized golden tulā; kalasha of sacred water glowing; temple-ghāṭa backdrop with lotus patterns; natural pigment palette dominated by red, yellow, green, and deep blue.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional composition with ornate floral borders and lotus clusters; central golden balance with sacred water kalasha outweighing coins; peacocks near the ghāṭa, deep indigo background with gold highlights; subtle Vaishnava symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) worked into the border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","gentle water lapping","ambient silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मतुलायां = धर्मतुलायाम् (समास); धर्मसाक्षिणा = धर्म + साक्षिणा (समास); दीनारायुतदानस्य = दीनार + अयुत + दानस्य (समास)
FAQs
It frames merit as something that can be “weighed” on the scale of Dharma, comparing the fruit of a large monetary donation (ten thousand dīnāras) with the religious value connected to sacred water from a puṣkariṇī.
It implies that righteousness itself is the ultimate assessor of actions and their results—moral value is validated by Dharma, not merely by social opinion or outward display.
The verse suggests that spiritual merit is not only tied to wealth-based charity; sacred acts associated with tīrthas (such as reverent use of holy water) can carry profound merit when aligned with Dharma.