Shloka 28
The Greatness of Śukla Tīrtha: Bathing, Fasting, Charity, and Śiva Worship
आचार्यं भोजयेत्पश्चाच्छिवव्रतपरः शुचिः । भोजनं च यथाशक्त्या वित्तशाठ्यं न कारयेत्
ācāryaṃ bhojayetpaścācchivavrataparaḥ śuciḥ | bhojanaṃ ca yathāśaktyā vittaśāṭhyaṃ na kārayet
आचार्यं भोजयेत्पश्चाच्छिवव्रतपरः शुचिः । भोजनं च यथाशक्त्या वित्तशाठ्यं न कारयेत् ॥
Unspecified (narratorial/instructional voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Vrata is not merely ritual; it must be sealed with ethical generosity—honoring the teacher and giving without deceit or miserliness masked as piety.
Application: Support teachers/elders and spiritual institutions transparently; donate within means but honestly—avoid performative austerity paired with hidden stinginess.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After the morning rites, a clean courtyard is prepared with banana leaves and brass plates. The ācārya sits calmly while the vow-keeper, hands folded, offers a meal with sincere humility; a small chest of coins lies open to show transparent giving, symbolizing ‘no deceit in wealth’.","primary_figures":["ācārya (teacher)","vrata-observer (yajamāna)","attendants serving food"],"setting":"Temple or āśrama dining courtyard with ritual cleanliness","lighting_mood":"soft morning light","color_palette":["ivory white","turmeric yellow","leaf green","copper bronze","vermillion red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: an ācārya seated on a decorated wooden pīṭha, receiving bhojana; the devotee offers with añjali, gold leaf detailing on vessels and borders, rich reds/greens, ornate arch motifs, gem-like highlights on brass plates and lamps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate āśrama courtyard scene with delicate lines; the teacher and devotee rendered with refined expressions, cool pastel background, small details of banana leaves, water pot, and flowering shrubs; gentle moral mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized faces and large eyes; the act of guru-bhojana shown with ritual vessels, clean floor patterns, warm red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall composition symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional hospitality scene framed by floral borders; attendants with plates and lotuses, deep blue background with gold motifs, peacocks at the edge, emphasizing auspicious dāna and purity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple bell","soft chanting","clinking brass vessels","courtyard birds","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhojayetpaścāt → bhojayet paścāt; paścācchivavrataparaḥ → paścāt śiva-vrata-paraḥ; yathāśaktyā → yathā-śaktyā.
FAQs
It instructs the observer to feed the ācārya (teacher/preceptor) after the rite, maintaining purity and devotion to the vow.
One should offer according to one’s means and avoid dishonesty or misrepresentation about one’s wealth (vittaśāṭhya).
It frames vrata-observance as not merely personal austerity but also service and respectful giving to the spiritual guide.