Shloka 2
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
व्यास उवाच । यस्य खाते वने गावस्तृप्यंति मासमेव च । यद्वा सप्तदिनात्पूतः सर्वदेवैः स पूजितः
vyāsa uvāca | yasya khāte vane gāvastṛpyaṃti māsameva ca | yadvā saptadinātpūtaḥ sarvadevaiḥ sa pūjitaḥ
व्यास उवाच—यस्य खातेन वने गावो मासमेव तृप्यन्ति, अथवा सप्तदिनात् पवित्रो भवति; स सर्वदेवैः पूज्यते सम्मान्यते च।
Vyāsa
Concept: Sustaining life—especially by providing water and care for cows—yields rapid purification and divine honor.
Application: Support animal welfare and water access: maintain troughs, ponds, or community water points; practice nonviolence and generosity as daily sādhana.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet forest clearing, a freshly dug pit has become a small water source where cows drink peacefully, their satisfaction shown in relaxed posture and gentle eyes. Vyāsa stands nearby with a calm, blessing gaze, as subtle divine presences (devas) appear in the sky, honoring the unseen merit of compassionate provision.","primary_figures":["Vyāsa","cows","subtle devas (Indra/Varuṇa-like silhouettes)"],"setting":"Forest clearing with a water pit/pond, kusa grass, hermitage elements in the distance","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["forest green","clay brown","milk white","sunrise gold","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vyāsa beside a sacred forest water-pit where white cows drink; gold leaf highlights on the water surface and halos of faint devas above, rich maroon and emerald garments, ornate kamandalu and manuscript details, symmetrical composition with temple-like decorative borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: pastoral forest scene with delicate cows, rippling water, and Vyāsa in saffron; soft blue sky with faint celestial figures, fine brushwork on leaves and bark, gentle lyrical mood and naturalistic landscape depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; Vyāsa with characteristic eyes and stylized beard, cows rendered in flat tones; patterned foliage, devas in the upper register, warm reds/yellows/greens with a devotional didactic feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow-centered devotional composition—cows around a lotus-like water pool, ornate floral borders, deep indigo ground with gold accents; Vyāsa as a saintly figure at one side, peacocks and vines framing the merit of go-sevā and water-giving."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["cow bells","water lapping","forest birds","soft conch in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्यास उवाच → व्यासः उवाच (विसर्ग-लोप); गावस्तृप्यंति → गावः तृप्यन्ति; मासमेव → मासम् एव; सप्तदिनात्पूतः → सप्तदिनात् पूतः; सर्वदेवैः → सर्वदेवैः (समास); स पूजितः → सः पूजितः
FAQs
The verse praises acts that sustain and satisfy cows in a forest setting—implying a charitable, protective service that yields religious merit.
It indicates that certain meritorious acts (such as sustaining cows or related dharmic service) are considered powerful enough to bring rapid inner and ritual purification.
Compassionate care—especially toward vulnerable beings like cattle—counts as high dharma, bringing honor and divine approval rather than merely personal gain.