Shloka 56
The Liberation of the Lizard
Godhā-vimukti
शशी सूर्योऽथ पर्जन्यो मेदिनी हुतभुग्जलम् । चंदनं पादपाः संतः परोपकरणाय वै ॥ ५६ ॥
śaśī sūryo'tha parjanyo medinī hutabhugjalam | caṃdanaṃ pādapāḥ saṃtaḥ paropakaraṇāya vai || 56 ||
நிலா, சூரியன், மழைமேகம், பூமி, தீ, நீர்—மேலும் சந்தனம், மரங்கள்—இவை அனைத்தும் பரோபகாரத்திற்கே; அதுபோலவே சாந்தரும் சேவையுணர்வுடன் பிறர் நலனுக்காக வாழ்கிறார்॥५৬॥
Narada (teaching in a didactic passage; traditional Narada Purana dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents nature as a model of selfless giving and declares that a true saint (santaḥ) similarly lives for paropakāra—others’ welfare—making service a core expression of dharma.
Bhakti is implied as practical compassion: like the moon, sun, rain, and earth that sustain life without selfishness, a devotee serves beings as an offering-minded life aligned with divine order.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught; instead, it reinforces dharma-śikṣā (ethical instruction) using cosmic elements (sun, moon, rain, fire, water) as illustrative categories familiar to Vedic ritual and worldview.