Shloka 55
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
वृद्धाय भारभग्नाय रोगिणे दुर्बलाय च । भिक्षामाहृत्य शिष्टानां गृहेभ्यः प्रयतोऽन्वहम्
vṛddhāya bhārabhagnāya rogiṇe durbalāya ca | bhikṣāmāhṛtya śiṣṭānāṃ gṛhebhyaḥ prayato'nvaham
അവൻ പ്രതിദിനം ശ്രദ്ധയോടെ ശിഷ്ടജനങ്ങളുടെ വീടുകളിൽ നിന്ന് ഭിക്ഷ കൊണ്ടുവന്ന്, ഭാരത്താൽ തകർന്ന രോഗിയും ദുർബലനുമായ വൃദ്ധനു നൽകി।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa, Adhyaya 51)
Concept: Daily, disciplined charity/service: bringing alms with care for the elderly, burden-broken, sick, and weak from the homes of the respectable.
Application: Create a steady habit of support—food, medicine, companionship—for elders and the ill; practice dignified giving that preserves the recipient’s honor.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble student or householder walks at dusk with a covered bowl of alms, approaching a frail elder seated on a veranda, while a sick person rests nearby. Respectable homes in the background offer small portions with dignity, and the giver’s posture shows careful, reverent service rather than pity.","primary_figures":["young brahmacārin/householder (alms-bearer)","elderly person","sick/weak person","respectable householders (donors)"],"setting":"Village lane with mud-plastered houses, veranda seating, a small roadside shrine, and a quiet sense of daily routine charity.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","soft turmeric yellow","cloth white","leaf green","twilight violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: compassionate anna-dāna scene—alms-bearer offering a covered bowl to an elder and a sick person; gold leaf highlights on vessels and shrine lamps, rich maroon/green textiles, ornate border, and a small Viṣṇu emblem blessing the act.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender village charity moment with delicate faces and gentle gestures, cool twilight tones, fine textile patterns; modest houses and trees, the alms bowl rendered with subtle sheen, emphasis on quiet compassion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures showing seva—giver with bowl, elder and sick recipient; warm red/yellow/green pigments, stylized veranda and shrine lamp, rhythmic composition emphasizing care.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional charity tableau framed by floral borders, lotus motifs, deep blue-violet ground with gold accents; figures arranged ceremonially, peacocks and cows as auspicious witnesses, a small shrine anchoring the center."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["evening birds","soft footsteps","clink of alms bowl","distant temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भिक्षामाहृत्य = भिक्षाम् + आहृत्य; प्रयतोऽन्वहम् = प्रयतः + अन्वहम्
FAQs
It highlights daily, disciplined compassion—collecting and giving alms to support those who are elderly, burdened, sick, and weak.
Śiṣṭa refers to cultured, well-conducted, respectable people—householders known for proper social and moral conduct.
It implies consistency in charity and service: not occasional giving, but a steady, day-by-day commitment to supporting vulnerable persons.