Shloka 14
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
समाश्रितं हि यं विप्रं धर्माचारसमन्वितम् । सर्वोपायैः सुपुष्येत्तं सुदानैर्बहुभिर्नृप
samāśritaṃ hi yaṃ vipraṃ dharmācārasamanvitam | sarvopāyaiḥ supuṣyettaṃ sudānairbahubhirnṛpa
அரசே! தர்மாசாரத்தால் நிறைந்தவனாய் உன் அடைக்கலத்தை அடைந்த அந்தப் பிராமணனை எல்லா வழிகளாலும் முறையாகப் போஷிக்க வேண்டும்; குறிப்பாக பல சிறந்த தானங்களால் அவனை நன்கு ஆதரிக்க வேண்டும்.
Unspecified (contextual narrator addressing a king as 'nṛpa')
Concept: One who has taken refuge in a righteous, dharmācāra-endowed brāhmaṇa must nourish and support him by all means, especially through abundant good gifts.
Application: If you rely on a mentor/teacher/priest/ethical guide, ensure their needs are met—fees, respect, protection, and continuity—rather than extracting counsel without support.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands with folded hands before a serene, learned brāhmaṇa seated on a kusa mat, scriptures beside him; attendants bring cloth, grain, and a cow with gilded horns. The brāhmaṇa’s calm radiance contrasts with the king’s vigilant resolve, portraying patronage as sacred guardianship of dharma.","primary_figures":["a king (nṛpa)","a dharmācāra-sampanna brāhmaṇa","attendants bearing gifts","a cow (go-dāna symbol)"],"setting":"palace courtyard opening into a small hermitage-like pavilion; offerings arranged neatly; palm-leaf manuscripts and water pot","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunlit gold","sandalwood beige","emerald green","vermillion","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king honoring a seated brāhmaṇa with gold leaf halo effects, ornate palace-arch backdrop, gem-studded ornaments on the king, richly patterned textiles; depict multiple dāna items (cow, cloth, grains, gold) with embossed gold detailing and traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle dawn in a palace garden; refined facial features; the brāhmaṇa in simple white, the king in muted regal tones; delicate rendering of manuscripts and gift items; lyrical trees and distant hills to suggest dharma’s quiet strength.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; king in stylized regalia offering gifts; brāhmaṇa with large expressive eyes and calm posture; flat decorative background with vegetal motifs; strong red/yellow/green palette emphasizing auspicious support.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional patronage scene framed by lotus and vine borders; include auspicious cows and peacocks; deep blue background with gold highlights; subtle Vaishnava symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) on offering vessels to imply dāna as Hari-prītyartha."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft conch in distance","rustle of palm leaves","cow bell (faint)","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वोपायैः = सर्व-उपायैः; सुपुष्येत् = सु + पुष्येत्; सुदानैर्बहुभिः = सु-दानैः + बहुभिः; बहुभिर्नृप = बहुभिः + नृप
FAQs
It instructs a king (and by extension any patron) to support a righteous, well-conducted Brahmin whom one relies upon, using all appropriate means—especially generous and worthy gifts.
It indicates the Brahmin is not merely learned by birth or study, but is characterized by ethical discipline and proper religious conduct—making him a fit recipient of support and charity.
That patronage should be guided by discernment: materially sustaining virtuous and dharma-aligned people strengthens social and spiritual order, and charity becomes meaningful when directed toward worthy recipients.