Shloka 70
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
जन्मजन्मसु लभ्येत उष्णे च शीतलां पटीम् । दत्वा च नैवसीदेत शक्त्या वस्त्रं ददाति यः
janmajanmasu labhyeta uṣṇe ca śītalāṃ paṭīm | datvā ca naivasīdeta śaktyā vastraṃ dadāti yaḥ
उष्णकाले शीतलां पटीं जन्मजन्मसु लभेत। यः शक्त्या वस्त्रं ददाति स दत्वा नैव सीदति॥
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to confirm the dialogue frame, e.g., Pulastya–Bhīṣma or Śiva–Pārvatī).
Concept: Giving appropriate garments according to one’s capacity creates long-term well-being across births; dharma done within śakti (means) prevents future distress.
Application: Donate season-appropriate clothing regularly; set a budgeted ‘dāna portion’ so generosity is sustainable and free of regret or hardship.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In the heat of summer, a donor offers a light, cool garment to a laborer resting under a tree; the scene subtly overlays a second, translucent layer showing the same soul in another birth receiving comfort again. The imagery suggests karmic continuity—charity returning as protection across lifetimes.","primary_figures":["donor","laborer/traveler","subtle ‘future-birth’ echo figures"],"setting":"sunlit roadside under a banyan tree, cloth bundle, water pot nearby","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sun-bleached ivory","sky blue","banyan green","earth brown","soft saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: donor presenting a cool summer cloth with gold leaf accents on borders, stylized sun motif above, a faint second-layer vignette (karmic future) framed in a small medallion, rich reds and greens, ornate jewelry and patterned textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: summer roadside scene with delicate shading, light cotton cloth rendered with fine texture, a poetic double-scene effect showing rebirth continuity, cool blues and pale yellows, gentle expressions and minimalistic props.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures under a stylized tree, flat warm background indicating heat, cloth gift emphasized with patterned bands, symbolic circular medallion showing ‘another birth’ receiving comfort, traditional mural palette and border designs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central act of garment donation framed by floral borders, symbolic repeating motifs indicating many births (concentric lotuses), deep blue ground with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns on the gifted cloth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["summer cicadas","soft breeze","cloth rustle","distant bell","quiet pause/silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नैवसीदेत = न + एव + सीदेत.
FAQs
It teaches vastra-dāna (donating clothing) and emphasizes giving according to one’s means (śaktyā), assuring that such giving does not lead to loss or suffering for the giver.
The verse states that the donor gains the benefit of having cool garments available in hot conditions across many births—an image for comfort and well-being as a fruit of charity.
No. By using śaktyā (“according to ability”), it frames charity as sustainable and responsible, aligning generosity with one’s real resources.