Shloka 24
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
अयुतधनव्ययेनैव प्राणेनैव बलेन च । सर्वसत्वोपकाराय शिवश्रद्धायुतेन च
ayutadhanavyayenaiva prāṇenaiva balena ca | sarvasatvopakārāya śivaśraddhāyutena ca
Dengan membelanjakan harta yang amat banyak, bahkan dengan nyawa dan tenaga—demi kebajikan semua makhluk—serta dihiasi śraddhā kepada Śiva.
Unspecified in provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses to identify the dialogue pair).
Concept: True merit arises from costly giving—wealth, strength, even life—when offered for the welfare of all beings, supported by śraddhā (here, Śiva-śraddhā).
Application: Practice ‘sarva-bhūta-hita’ in small, sustainable ways: volunteer, protect life, share resources; keep śraddhā steady so service doesn’t become ego-display.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A benefactor stands before a gathered crowd of humans and animals, offering a water pot and cloth while placing his own sword and crown aside—signaling sacrifice of power for compassion. Behind him rises a simple liṅga-shrine with lamps, indicating Śiva-śraddhā as the inner fuel of service, while the horizon glows with calm, auspicious light.","primary_figures":["the benefactor (dānapati)","animals and villagers (sarva-sattva)","a priest/sage","a subtle Śiva-liṅga shrine (background)"],"setting":"A roadside charity pavilion near a small shrine; open landscape suggesting universality rather than a single city.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["vermillion","lamp-gold","ash gray","deep green","warm brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central donor figure with gold leaf highlights on lamps and offerings, small Śiva-liṅga shrine with ornate arch, richly patterned garments in red/green, gem-studded borders, symmetrical arrangement of recipients including animals, devotional gravitas.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle compassionate scene at a charity pavilion, refined faces, soft earth palette with vermillion accents, small shrine with flickering lamps, lyrical trees and distant hills, delicate brushwork emphasizing humility and calm heroism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments, donor and recipients in rhythmic composition, prominent lamp flames and shrine icon, red/yellow/green dominance with ash-gray accents, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of lotus and bilva motifs, central charity scene arranged symmetrically, lamps and offerings patterned like textile motifs, deep background tones with gold highlights, devotional decorative density."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["oil-lamp crackle","soft bell","low drum (mridangam)","evening birds","quiet crowd murmur (distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ayutadhanavyayenaiva = ayuta-dhana-vyayena + eva; prāṇenaiva = prāṇena + eva; sarvasatvopakārāya = sarva-sattva-upakārāya; śivaśraddhāyutena = śiva-śraddhā-yutena.
FAQs
It highlights selfless welfare of all beings (sarva-sattva-upakāra) through wealth, personal effort, and even sacrifice, grounded in faith in Śiva.
Faith in Śiva is presented not merely as belief but as the inner motive that empowers generous giving, service, and courageous effort for the common good.
True righteousness is measured by active beneficence—using resources, strength, and life responsibly for universal welfare—rather than by private piety alone.