Shloka 17
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
दत्तं हुतं भवेत्तस्य निष्फलं नात्र संशयः । ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रश्चापि चतुर्थकः
dattaṃ hutaṃ bhavettasya niṣphalaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ | brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ śūdraścāpi caturthakaḥ
तस्य दत्तं हुतं च निष्फलं भवति, नात्र संशयः; ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रश्चापि चतुर्थकः।
Unspecified (narrative verse; speaker not explicit in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Dāna and yajña become fruitless when performed with a disqualifying fault; dharma depends on inner and procedural purity, not merely social identity.
Application: Before giving or performing a ritual, examine motive (ego, display, contempt), ensure right recipient and right method, and cultivate humility; otherwise even costly acts may yield no inner transformation.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder stands before a sacred fire with ladle and offerings, yet the flames appear dim and smoky, symbolizing fruitless ritual. Four figures representing the four varṇas stand in a row, all equally under the same moral law, while a subtle divine witness (Vishnu’s all-seeing presence as a radiant aura) observes silently.","primary_figures":["householder yajamāna","four varṇa representatives (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra)","subtle Vishnu aura (aniconic radiance)"],"setting":"domestic yajña-śālā with altar, kuśa grass, water pot, and offering trays; a moral tableau rather than a specific tirtha","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky ash gray","saffron ochre","deep maroon","burnished gold","indigo shadow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a ritual hall with a central homa-kuṇḍa, the yajamāna offering ghee while the fire is subdued and smoky; four varṇa figures aligned to the side to show universality of the rule; a faint Vishnu halo in the background rendered as gold leaf radiance; rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate pillars, heavy gold leaf embellishment emphasizing dharma’s authority.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate indoor yajña scene with delicate linework; the fire rendered small and muted, smoke curling upward; four social types in simple attire standing together; cool, restrained palette with lyrical realism; subtle divine presence suggested by a soft aureole and floating lotus motifs near the ceiling beams.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized yajña-śālā with symmetrical composition; the fire pit central, smoke patterns decorative; four figures with characteristic large eyes; Vishnu’s presence as a golden mandala behind them; natural pigment reds, yellows, greens with strong contrast.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic dharma tableau framed by floral borders; central fire altar with lotus motifs; an aniconic Vishnu presence as a large lotus-and-conch medallion above; intricate patterns, deep blues and gold, temple-like decorative density rather than narrative realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple bells","homa fire crackle (muted)","brief conch accent","heavy silence after the warning"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेत्तस्य = भवेत् + तस्य; नात्र = न + अत्र; शूद्रश्चापि = शूद्रः + च + अपि
FAQs
It teaches that charity (dāna) and sacrificial offerings (homa/yajña) can become spiritually fruitless for a person under certain disqualifying conditions, and that this principle applies across all four varṇas.
To emphasize universality: the rule about actions becoming ‘niṣphala’ (without result) is not restricted to one social class but applies equally to everyone.
It implies that outward religious acts like giving and offering must be accompanied by proper inner disposition and dharmic conduct; otherwise, the external act alone may not yield merit.