Shloka 184
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
यत्प्रदानान्नरो याति सोमलोकं नरोत्तम । दशभिः पलसाहस्रैरुत्तमो रजताचलः
yatpradānānnaro yāti somalokaṃ narottama | daśabhiḥ palasāhasrairuttamo rajatācalaḥ
О лучший из людей, даруя этот дар, человек достигает мира Сомы. Наилучшая «Серебряная Гора» исчисляется как десять тысяч пал.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 21; verse addresses a listener as ‘narottama’)
Concept: Specific, measurable generosity (rajatācala quantified by palas) yields correspondingly specific celestial results; dharma operates with ritual exactness.
Application: Be intentional and consistent in giving; set a concrete portion of resources for charity/service, and perform it with clarity rather than vague intention.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous moon-palace floats above silver clouds: Soma-loka, cool and resplendent, with Soma seated amid white lotuses and pearl-like radiance. Below, a donor offers a massive silver mountain effigy—carefully measured—while celestial scribes record ‘ten thousand palas,’ and a silver path rises upward like moonlight made solid.","primary_figures":["Soma (Chandra)","donor devotee","celestial scribes (citragupta-like)","attendant devas"],"setting":"Ritual courtyard transitioning into a moonlit celestial realm; silver mountain effigy on an altar; above, Soma’s palace with lotus ponds.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver","pearl white","cool blue","lavender","pale gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: moonlit Soma-loka with Soma enthroned, haloed in gold leaf; below, a grand silver mountain donation on a richly decorated altar, attendants holding measuring weights; heavy gold leaf on crowns and borders, rich jewel accents contrasting the dominant silver-white theme.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene moon palace in a cool night sky; Soma with gentle expression, white lotuses and soft clouds; donors and priests below with a gleaming silver mountain model; delicate brushwork, cool palette, refined ornamentation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Soma depicted with iconic large eyes, seated on a lotus under a crescent emblem; silver mountain donation scene below with stylized weights; bold outlines, natural pigments emphasizing whites, blues, and pale gold.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: expansive lotus field under a full moon; Soma centered, surrounded by intricate floral borders; the silver mountain offering rendered as a decorative mound with patterned highlights; deep indigo background with silver and gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bells","night insects","gentle conch","flowing water (lotus pond)","tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्प्रदानान्नरो = यत् प्रदानात् नरः; सोमलोकं = सोम-लोकम्; नरोत्तम = नर-उत्तम; पलसाहस्रैः = पल-साहस्रैः; रजताचलः = रजत-अचलः
FAQs
Somaloka is the celestial realm associated with Soma (the Moon deity). The verse presents it as a meritorious destination attained through specific acts of charity.
It denotes an exceptionally large donation of silver—metaphorically a ‘mountain’—quantified here as ten thousand palas (a traditional weight measure).
It underscores the Purāṇic principle that generous giving (dāna), especially substantial and sincere charity, is a powerful means to accrue merit and attain auspicious posthumous realms.