Shloka 49
Karma, Non-Violence, Tīrtha & Gaṅgā Merit, Vaiṣṇava Protection, Śālagrāma Worship, and Ekādaśī as Deliverance
गर्तमात्रं तु ये चक्रुर्यत्र गौरतृषा भवेत् । यमलोकमदृष्ट्वैव ते यांति स्वर्गतिं नराः
gartamātraṃ tu ye cakruryatra gauratṛṣā bhavet | yamalokamadṛṣṭvaiva te yāṃti svargatiṃ narāḥ
പശുവിന്റെ ദാഹം ശമിക്കാവുന്നിടത്ത് ചെറിയൊരു കുഴിയെങ്കിലും ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നവർ യമലോകം കാണാതെയേ സ്വർഗ്ഗഗതി പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Seemingly small acts that sustain life—especially providing water—generate great, death-transcending merit.
Application: Place a water bowl/trough for animals, maintain a small soak-pit or refill point in hot seasons, and treat it as daily seva done without expectation.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dusty summer path at the edge of a village: a traveler kneels and scrapes a small pit in the earth, lining it with stones so it can hold water. A gentle cow lowers her head to drink, while unseen devas above shower subtle blossoms, hinting that this humble act opens the gates of svarga and closes the road to Yama.","primary_figures":["compassionate householder","cow","subtle devas (flower-shower)","distant, shadowed Yama-mārga motif (symbolic)"],"setting":"arid roadside near a village boundary with sparse trees, a small earthen pit holding water, footprints and cart tracks","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ochre earth","lotus pink","saffron gold","peacock blue","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a benevolent donor kneeling by a small stone-lined water pit as a cow drinks; devas in the upper register showering flowers; ornate gold leaf halos and borders, rich vermilion and emerald accents, gem-studded ornaments on the donor, stylized South Indian landscape with temple gopuram faintly in background, luminous gold leaf highlighting the water surface.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene of a roadside water pit in a dry landscape; a calm cow drinking while a simple villager offers water; airy Himalayan-like sky with tiny celestial figures; fine brushwork, lyrical naturalism, cool shadows, refined faces, small flowering shrubs and distant hills.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; central cow and donor by a small water hollow; upper band with devas and floral rain; warm red-yellow-green palette, stylized trees, temple-wall aesthetic, large expressive eyes, decorative borders framing the dharmic act.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional composition where the act of offering water is framed by lotus and floral borders; cow as sacred beneficiary; peacocks perched on branches; deep indigo background with gold detailing; subtle Viṣṇu-preservation symbolism (conch motif) integrated into border patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","distant cowbells","soft temple bells","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cakrur yatra → cakruḥ yatra; yamalokamadṛṣṭvaiva → yamalokam adṛṣṭvā eva; yāṃti → yānti (anusvāra/orthographic variant).
FAQs
Providing water access—symbolized by digging even a small pit—so that a thirsty cow can drink.
It indicates avoidance of post-death punishment or judgment; the merit is said to lead directly to a heavenly destination.
Small, practical acts of compassion—especially relieving thirst—carry great spiritual weight and are strongly commended.