Shloka 51
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
कल्पैकं तु वसेत्स्वर्गे स्वर्गाद्भ्रष्टो महीयते । प्रपादास्तत्र तिष्ठंति यत्र पुष्करिणीप्रदाः
kalpaikaṃ tu vasetsvarge svargādbhraṣṭo mahīyate | prapādāstatra tiṣṭhaṃti yatra puṣkariṇīpradāḥ
ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ଏକ କଳ୍ପ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗରେ ବସିପାରେ; ଏବଂ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗରୁ ଭ୍ରଷ୍ଟ ହେଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପୃଥିବୀରେ ସମ୍ମାନିତ ହୁଏ। ଯେଉଁଠି ପୁଷ୍କରିଣୀ-ଦାତା ଅଛନ୍ତି, ସେଉଁଠି ସେହି ପୁଣ୍ୟପ୍ରଦ ଘାଟ-ସୋପାନ (ପ୍ରପାଦ) ଅବସ୍ଥିତ ରହେ।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 58 frame dialogue).
Concept: Merit tied to sustaining sacred water access (ponds and their steps) is unusually durable—granting kalpa-long heavenly residence and enduring esteem.
Application: Support construction/maintenance of ghats, tanks, and clean water access at temples; treat long-term public benefit as spiritual practice.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand stone ghāṭa descends into a clear puṣkariṇī where lotus leaves drift like emerald plates. Pilgrims bathe and offer water to the sun, while the ghāṭa itself is portrayed as a living ‘standing merit,’ crowned by a small shrine and fluttering flags.","primary_figures":["pilgrims performing snāna","temple attendants","subtle personification of merit (optional)"],"setting":"Large stepped pond with carved balustrades, small Viṣṇu shrine at the top, banyan and ashoka trees, offerings arranged on the steps.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["deep teal","stone gray","lotus pink","marigold orange","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: monumental ghāṭa steps leading into a lotus pond; pilgrims in devotional poses; a Viṣṇu shrine with gold-leaf halo and ornate arch; rich jewel tones, embossed gold on temple carvings, intricate borders, and shimmering highlights on water ripples.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant stepped sarovar with delicate architectural lines; soft teal water and pink lotuses; small figures bathing and praying; distant hills and temple spire, cool atmospheric perspective, refined facial features and gentle devotional calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized stepped pond with bold outlines; rhythmic lotus patterns; pilgrims and attendants in formal poses; warm reds and yellows with green water accents; shrine rendered with iconic symmetry and large expressive eyes on figures.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central sarovar framed by dense lotus and floral borders; ghāṭa steps patterned like textiles; peacocks and cows near the water; deep blue-green background with gold detailing, presenting the pond as a sacred mandala of merit."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["splashing water","conch shell","chanting at ghats","temple bells"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कल्पैकम् = कल्पम् + एकम्; वसेत्स्वर्गे = वसेत् + स्वर्गे; स्वर्गाद्भ्रष्टः = स्वर्गात् + भ्रष्टः; प्रपादास्तत्र = प्रपादाः + तत्र; तिष्ठंति → तिष्ठन्ति (अनुस्वार/लिप्यन्तर भेद); पुष्करिणीप्रदाः = पुष्करिणी-प्रदाः (समास)
FAQs
It presents a phalaśruti: association with sacred ponds and their bathing-steps yields extraordinary merit—likened to a kalpa-long stay in heaven—and that merit continues to confer honor even if heavenly enjoyment is exhausted.
Puṣkariṇī refers to a sacred pond or temple-tank; prapāda refers to the constructed steps/ghāṭs used for approaching and bathing in that water—treated here as holy features of a tīrtha.
It encourages reverence for tīrthas and sacred waters, implying that honoring and approaching such sanctified places (and the practices connected with them, like bathing and worship) supports lasting spiritual merit beyond temporary heavenly reward.