Shloka 35
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
दीयते विष्णुमेवापि तदनंतफलं स्मृतम् । यो हि यां देवतामिच्छेत्समाराधयितुं नरः
dīyate viṣṇumevāpi tadanaṃtaphalaṃ smṛtam | yo hi yāṃ devatāmicchetsamārādhayituṃ naraḥ
विष्णुमेव समर्पितं यद्दीयते तदनन्तफलं स्मृतम्। यो नरः यां देवतामिच्छेत् समाराधयितुं ततः॥
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Adhyaya; exact dialogue speaker not provided in the excerpt).
Concept: Offering directed to Vishnu yields endless fruit; Vishnu is the most efficacious object of worship among desired deities.
Application: When unsure whom to pray to, anchor worship in Narayana; dedicate charity and daily acts to Vishnu for steady spiritual return.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee places a simple offering—water, tulasi-like leaves, and a lamp—before Vishnu, and the offering transforms into a stream of luminous lotuses flowing upward into an infinite sky, symbolizing ‘ananta-phala’. In the background, faint silhouettes of other deities appear as reflections within Vishnu’s radiance, suggesting His all-encompassing divinity.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (Narayana)","Vaishnava devotee","subtle reflected forms of devas (optional, translucent)"],"setting":"Minimal shrine with a conch, chakra motif, and lotus pedestal; cosmic backdrop opening behind the altar into vast space.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["cosmic violet","electric sapphire","lotus pink","radiant gold","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu enthroned with conch and discus, gold halo expanding into layered aureoles; devotee offering a small lamp and water; the offering becomes a cascade of golden lotuses rising into an infinite sky—‘ananta-phala’; heavy gold leaf, jewel-like highlights, rich maroons and greens framing the cosmic center.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poetic symbolism—small shrine opening into boundless sky; delicate lotuses drifting upward; Vishnu’s calm face and refined ornamentation; cool blues and violets with soft gold washes, fine brushwork and airy negative space to convey infinity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Vishnu with bold outlines and stylized ornaments; luminous lotus stream emerging from the offering tray; background patterned like temple mural cosmos; strong reds/yellows/greens with deep blue field, emphasizing sacred grandeur.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Vishnu with lotus mandala; offerings turning into endless lotus garlands spiraling outward; ornate floral borders, peacocks and lotuses, deep blue ground with gold detailing, devotional abundance motif."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["conch shell swell","temple bells","tanpura drone","soft choral hum (Hari-nama)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viṣṇum eva api: written as viṣṇumevāpi (m + e sandhi; eva+api → evāpi). tad ananta-phalaṃ: written as tadanaṃtaphalaṃ (d + a sandhi; anusvāra orthography). devatām icchet: written as devatāmicchet (ā + i sandhi). icchet samārādhayitum: written as icchetsamārādhayituṃ (t + s sandhi).
FAQs
It states that offerings made to Viṣṇu yield “ananta-phala” (endless spiritual merit), and it introduces a principle about worshipping whichever deity one intends to propitiate.
By highlighting Viṣṇu as a source of inexhaustible fruit from worship/offerings, it supports a Vaishnava bhakti emphasis where devotion to Viṣṇu is portrayed as supremely efficacious.
It implies intentionality in worship—one should offer and worship with a clear aim and sincerity; it also presents devotion to Viṣṇu as especially fruitful in terms of lasting spiritual benefit.