Shloka 54
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
एवं वर्षत्रयेणैव प्रपादानफलं लभेत् । यः पठेच्छ्रावयेद्वापि पुष्करिण्यादिजं फलम्
evaṃ varṣatrayeṇaiva prapādānaphalaṃ labhet | yaḥ paṭhecchrāvayedvāpi puṣkariṇyādijaṃ phalam
अशा रीतीने केवळ तीन वर्षांतच प्रपाद (प्याऊ) दानाचे फळ मिळते. जो हे पठण करतो किंवा लोकांना श्रवण करतो, त्याला पुष्करिणी इत्यादी धर्मकर्मांपासून उत्पन्न पुण्यफळही प्राप्त होते.
Not specified in input (context likely a Purāṇic narrator within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Dharma that sustains life (water-giving) and dharma that sustains faith (recitation/hearing) both yield swift puṇya; śravaṇa itself becomes a merit-multiplier.
Application: Support public water access (donate to water stations, wells, hydration drives) and regularly read/listen to Purāṇic/Vaiṣṇava kathā; share it with others as a form of service.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sun-warmed village crossroads where a newly built prapā (public water-shed) offers cool water in earthen pots, while a sage recites Purāṇic kathā to gathered travelers. In the background, a lotus-filled puṣkariṇī glimmers, suggesting that welfare-work itself becomes a tīrtha.","primary_figures":["sage-reciter","villagers and travelers","devotees listening"],"setting":"Indian village path near a lotus pond and a small shrine; earthen pots, stone steps to water, shade trees","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","sandalwood beige","turquoise water","leaf green","burnished gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central sage seated on a low pedestal reciting from a palm-leaf manuscript, devotees offering water pots; a lotus pond (puṣkariṇī) behind with stylized lotuses; ornate gold-leaf halo effects around the sacred narrative scroll, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments on patrons of the prapā, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate figures under a peepal tree beside a stepped pond with pink lotuses; soft Himalayan-like atmospheric perspective, lyrical naturalism in foliage, refined faces listening intently; cool blues and greens with a warm ochre path, fine linework on water pots and manuscript.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, flat yet vibrant natural pigments; a serene reciter with large expressive eyes, devotees in rhythmic arrangement, lotus pond rendered with stylized petals; dominant reds, yellows, and greens with temple-wall compositional balance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders with lotus motifs framing a puṣkariṇī; devotees offering water and listening to kathā; peacocks near the pond, deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate textile patterns emphasizing puṇya and sacred water."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","earthen pot clink","birds","temple bells"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्षत्रयेणैव = वर्ष-त्रयेण + एव; पठेच्छ्रावयेत् = पठेत् + श्रावयेत्; श्रावयेद्वापि = श्रावयेत् + वा + अपि; पुष्करिण्यादिजम् = पुष्करिणी-आदि-जम्
FAQs
It praises establishing or donating a public drinking-water facility as a high-merit act, stating that its spiritual reward can be attained within a short, defined period (three years).
It states that merely reciting the passage—or arranging for others to hear it—grants merit comparable to that produced by sacred works/places such as holy ponds (puṣkariṇīs).
The verse links devotion and ethics: supporting public welfare (providing water) and spreading sacred teachings (recitation/hearing) are both upheld as accessible, socially beneficial paths to religious merit.