Shloka 51
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
उर्व्यामक्षयभोग्यानि नृपो वाथ महाधनी । हरस्य प्रतिमां यश्च कृत्वा देवगृहे नरः
urvyāmakṣayabhogyāni nṛpo vātha mahādhanī | harasya pratimāṃ yaśca kṛtvā devagṛhe naraḥ
ഈ ഭൂമിയിൽ രാജാവായാലും മഹാധനികനായാലും, അക്ഷയമായ ഭോഗ്യവസ്തുക്കൾ അർപ്പിക്കുന്നവൻ; കൂടാതെ ഹരൻ (ശിവൻ)ന്റെ പ്രതിമ നിർമ്മിച്ച് ദേവഗൃഹത്തിൽ സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്ന മനുഷ്യൻ—
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 59; likely a narrator continuing a discourse on religious merit)
Concept: Providing ‘imperishable enjoyments’ (endowments, public goods, lasting charities) and installing a deity-image in a temple are high-merit acts accessible to rulers and wealthy householders.
Application: Create lasting benefit: fund water, food, lamps, repairs, and worship supplies for temples; practice philanthropy that outlives one’s lifetime.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosperous patron—crowned king in one vignette, wealthy householder in another—offers endowments: granaries, lamp-stands, and water vessels marked for public use. In the temple sanctum, artisans unveil a newly made image of Hara, priests preparing for installation with flowers, incense, and consecration vessels, suggesting ‘akṣaya’ continuity through ongoing worship.","primary_figures":["king (nṛpa)","wealthy donor (mahādhana)","Hara (Śiva) image","priests (ācāryas)","artisans (śilpins)","temple attendants"],"setting":"temple courtyard with donation distribution; inner sanctum prepared for pratimā-pratiṣṭhā","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ochre","vermillion","bronze","white jasmine","deep green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: donor-king presenting golden vessels and lamp-stands before a sanctum where Hara’s image is enthroned; gold-leaf arches, embossed jewelry, rich reds/greens, priests with ritual items (kalaśa, flowers, incense), ornate temple pillars and lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative split-panel—left shows charitable endowments in a palace courtyard, right shows quiet sanctum installation; delicate brushwork, soft earth tones, refined faces, subtle architectural detail.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical temple scene with bold outlines; Hara image centered, priests flanking with lamps and flowers; strong red/yellow/green palette, stylized ornaments and ritual vessels.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: temple façade framed by floral borders; central Hara image with surrounding lamps and garlands, donors offering vessels; decorative lotuses and patterned textiles, deep earthy background with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","chanting of installation mantras","footsteps in courtyard"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वाथ → वा + अथ; urvyām is locative of उर्वी; compounds: अक्षयभोग्यानि, महाधनी, देवगृहे.
FAQs
It highlights providing “imperishable enjoyments” (akṣaya-bhogyāni) and making an image of Hara (Śiva) to be placed in a temple—acts presented as highly meritorious.
It implies gifts or endowments that yield inexhaustible benefit—ongoing support or lasting provisions whose merit is considered enduring rather than temporary.
It suggests that power and wealth are best used for enduring public and religious benefit—supporting lasting welfare and establishing sacred institutions rather than merely private luxury.