Shloka 45
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
सर्वखातप्रदानस्य फलमश्नाति धार्मिकः । ग्रहणे भास्करस्यैव भागीरथ्यां तटे वरे
sarvakhātapradānasya phalamaśnāti dhārmikaḥ | grahaṇe bhāskarasyaiva bhāgīrathyāṃ taṭe vare
सर्वखातप्रदानस्य फलमश्नाति धार्मिकः। ग्रहणे भास्करस्यैव भागीरथ्यां तटे वरे॥
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context likely part of a narrated discourse on tīrtha/eclipses and merit).
Concept: At a solar eclipse, rites performed on the Bhāgīrathī’s excellent bank confer the full fruit of ‘all kinds of gifts’ upon the righteous practitioner.
Application: On eclipse days (where culturally appropriate and safe), engage in japa, dāna, and mindful restraint; if not at Gaṅgā, emulate the spirit—charity, prayer, and purification—at local rivers/temples, dedicating merit to Nārāyaṇa.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the wide, shimmering bank of the Bhāgīrathī, devotees stand waist-deep in flowing water as the sun darkens into a ringed eclipse. Priests offer sesame and water (tarpana), while donors distribute cloth, food, and coins; the river glows with an inner light, as if reflecting Viṣṇu’s sustaining presence through the cosmic event.","primary_figures":["dhārmika donor","brāhmaṇa priests","pilgrims performing snāna","Sūrya (symbolic eclipse disk)","Gaṅgā-devī (personified or implied)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā riverbank with ghats, steps, prayer platforms, boats, and distant temples; eclipse visible overhead; offerings arranged on leaf plates and brass vessels.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["eclipse charcoal","river silver","brass gold","saffron","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand Gaṅgā ghat during solar eclipse with gold-leaf highlights on brass vessels and temple spires; central donor giving dāna to brāhmaṇas; pilgrims in the river; stylized eclipse disk with embossed gold rim; rich reds/greens in garments, gem-studded ornaments, ornate border with lotus and śaṅkha-cakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: expansive riverbank scene with delicate figures and atmospheric eclipse sky; cool indigo shadows over silver water; refined architecture of ghats and distant shrines; subtle emotional awe, fine brushwork, gentle ripples and boats.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold eclipse disk overhead; rhythmic rows of pilgrims and priests; strong black outlines; red/yellow/green palette with silver-blue river; iconic Gaṅgā presence suggested by a crowned river-goddess motif near the bank; temple-wall narrative energy.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Gaṅgā ghat framed by intricate floral borders; deep blue ground with gold detailing; repeated lotus and kalasha motifs; eclipse disk as central celestial ornament; devotees and cows/peacocks at the margins in Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation, emphasizing auspicious dāna and sacred water."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["river flow","conch shell","temple bells","murmured japa","crowd hush during eclipse"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: फलमश्नाति = फलम् + अश्नाति; भास्करस्यैव = भास्करस्य + एव.
FAQs
It highlights the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā) as a premier tīrtha, where ritual acts performed on its bank are presented as exceptionally merit-bearing.
While not explicitly devotional in wording, it frames sacred time (solar eclipse) and sacred place (Gaṅgā’s bank) as amplifiers of religious acts—an approach common in Purāṇic piety that supports faith-driven observance.
The verse promotes dāna (charity) and dharma: a righteous person gains great spiritual benefit by aligning generosity with auspicious sacred occasions and locations.