Shloka 37
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
पूज्यंते ब्राह्मणा लाभे प्रतिमादिषु तैः क्वचित् । प्रतिमादिषु यत्नेन तस्मात्फलमभीप्सता
pūjyaṃte brāhmaṇā lābhe pratimādiṣu taiḥ kvacit | pratimādiṣu yatnena tasmātphalamabhīpsatā
लाभे प्राप्ते कदाचित् तैः प्रतिमाद्युपचारैः ब्राह्मणाः पूज्यन्ते। तस्मात् यः पूर्णफलं काङ्क्षति स प्रतिमादिषु यत्नेन सम्यगर्चनं कुर्यात्॥
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa context; exact dialogue frame not provided in the input)
Concept: Merit and full spiritual fruit arise from deliberate, proper worship and honoring of worthy recipients, not from casual or occasional gestures.
Application: When you receive gains (money, success, opportunities), convert a portion into conscious gratitude: support learned/ethical teachers, perform orderly worship, and avoid token charity done only when convenient.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder, newly prosperous, approaches a small shrine where a polished pratīmā stands adorned with flowers. Nearby, dignified brāhmaṇas are respectfully offered seats, water, and gifts, while the giver’s hands show careful, deliberate gestures—each act performed as if weighing the ‘full fruit’ of dharma.","primary_figures":["pious householder (yajamāna)","brāhmaṇa recipients","temple priest (optional)","deity pratīmā (generic)"],"setting":"Courtyard shrine or small temple mandapa with a pedestal image, offering trays, kusa grass, and a low seat for honored guests.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-flame amber","sandalwood beige","vermilion red","leaf green","burnished gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a South Indian mandapa with a central deity pratima on a jeweled pedestal, gold leaf halo and arch, the yajamana offering flowers and dakshina to seated brahmanas; rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, intricate floral borders, luminous oil-lamp highlights, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an intimate courtyard shrine scene with delicate linework—yajamana offering garlands and gifts to serene brahmanas beside a small pratima; cool pastel architecture, patterned rugs, gentle trees in the background, refined faces, lyrical naturalism and soft shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures in a temple corridor—pratima on a pedestal, brahmanas seated in calm dignity, the devotee performing careful upacharas; natural pigment palette with dominant reds, yellows, greens, stylized eyes, ornamental borders like temple wall art.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional offering scene framed by lotus and creeper borders—central shrine with a deity image, attendants with flower baskets, brahmanas honored with cloth and coins; deep indigo background, gold detailing, intricate floral motifs, peacocks at the corners, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","murmured mantras","oil-lamp crackle","courtyard silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tasmāt + phalam → tasmātphalam; phalam + abhīpsatā → phalamabhīpsatā (external sandhi in continuous recitation).
FAQs
It indicates that after obtaining gain, one should honor brāhmaṇas and perform worship (including pratimā-based worship and related ritual supports) with conscientious effort to secure the intended spiritual fruit.
It links the two: people may honor brāhmaṇas “in connection with” pratimā and similar ritual acts; the emphasis is on deliberate, careful religious effort so that the desired result (phala) is fully realized.
Material gain should be followed by responsible religious and social duty—especially respect and support for brāhmaṇas—carried out thoughtfully rather than casually, aligning wealth with dharma.