Shloka 64

Teaching on Karma-yoga

Discipline of Action as Worship

Devanagari script

भैक्ष्यैण वर्त्तिनो वृत्तिरुपवाससमा स्मृता । पूजयेदशनं नित्यमद्याच्चैनमकुत्सयन्

Transliteration

bhaikṣyaiṇa varttino vṛttirupavāsasamā smṛtā | pūjayedaśanaṃ nityamadyāccainamakutsayan

Translation

Bagi orang yang hidup dengan bhikṣā, cara hidup itu dianggap setara dengan upavāsa (berpuasa). Hendaklah dia sentiasa memuliakan makanan yang diterima dan memakannya tanpa mencela atau merendahkan.

Word by Word

भैक्ष्येणby alms

वर्तिनःof the one living (thus)

वृत्तिःmode of living

उपवास-समाequivalent to fasting

स्मृताis regarded

पूजयेत्should honor

अशनम्food, eating

नित्यम्always

अद्याच्should eat

चand

एनम्this (food)/it

अकुत्सयन्not despising

Speaker

Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Svarga-khaṇḍa 3.51).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Living on alms is tantamount to fasting in merit; received food should be honored and eaten without contempt.

Application: Treat meals as sacred—pause, express gratitude, avoid criticizing food, and keep portions simple; reduce entitlement and cultivate prasāda-attitude.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vratī receives a small portion of alms and, before eating, lifts it slightly in a gesture of honor, as if offering it inwardly to Viṣṇu. The scene emphasizes sacred ordinary life: the humble bowl, the calm face, and the quiet dignity of not disparaging what arrives.","primary_figures":["vratī ascetic","invisible/implicit Vishnu as inner witness"],"setting":"riverbank rest spot with a small cloth spread, alms-bowl, and a distant shrine silhouette","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["river silver","lotus pink","warm ochre","indigo shadow","golden amber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the ascetic honoring bhikṣā as prasāda, holding the bowl near a small Viṣṇu shrine; gold leaf radiance around the shrine and subtle halo effect, rich maroon and emerald borders, ornate arch motifs framing a scene of humble reverence.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle riverbank tableau with delicate brushwork—ascetic seated on cloth, bowl raised in respect, distant temple spire and trees; cool blues and soft pinks, lyrical naturalism conveying gratitude and restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized riverbank and shrine, bold outlines; the ascetic’s gesture of honoring food is central, rendered in earthy reds/yellows/greens with temple-wall compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central figure seated with alms-bowl treated like prasāda before a small Viṣṇu symbol, surrounded by lotus motifs and intricate floral borders; deep blue and gold accents, peacocks near the water, devotional stillness."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft conch in distance","leaf rustle","brief bell chime","quiet pauses"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: भैक्ष्येण इति पाठः (IAST bhaikṣyaiṇa = bhaikṣyeṇa); वृत्तिः + उपवाससमा → वृत्तिरुपवाससमा (ः→र्); पूजयेत् + अशनम् → पूजयेदशनम् (त्→द्); अद्याच् + च → अद्याच्च; च + एनम् → चैनम्

FAQs

Why is living by alms said to be equal to fasting in this verse?

Because subsisting on whatever is obtained without choice or indulgence reduces attachment to taste and excess, resembling the restraint and discipline of upavāsa (fasting).

What ethical discipline does the verse teach about food?

It teaches gratitude and non-contempt: one should respect whatever food is received and avoid criticizing or scorning it.

How can this be applied in daily life outside ascetic contexts?

By practicing contentment with what is available, avoiding wasteful or harsh speech about food, and cultivating gratitude before eating.