Shloka 17
Fruits of Righteousness: Charity, Faith, and the Path to Yama
सस्याद्दिव्यतिथिर्भूप देवानां कीर्तिवर्धनः । तस्माच्छ्रद्धान्वितैर्देयं तत्फलं भवति ध्रुवम्
sasyāddivyatithirbhūpa devānāṃ kīrtivardhanaḥ | tasmācchraddhānvitairdeyaṃ tatphalaṃ bhavati dhruvam
அரசே! தானியத் தானம் தெய்வீக அதிதி-சேவையாகி தேவர்களின் புகழை வளர்க்கிறது. ஆகவே சிரத்தையுடன் அளிக்க வேண்டும்; அதன் பலன் உறுதியானது.
Unspecified (narrative instruction addressed to a king)
Concept: Anna-dāna (gift of grain/food) becomes a divine observance when performed with faith, and its fruit is certain.
Application: Regularly donate staples (rice, wheat, lentils) to temples, food banks, pilgrims, and students; offer food first with gratitude, then share; cultivate śraddhā rather than transactional giving.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a temple courtyard, devotees pour golden grain into a brāhmaṇa’s vessel while a small crowd of the needy and pilgrims receive portions. Above the act, subtle celestial figures (devas) appear as shimmering silhouettes, their ‘glory’ brightening as the offering is made with śraddhā.","primary_figures":["devotee donors","brāhmaṇa recipient","pilgrims and the poor","celestial devas (subtle presence)"],"setting":"Temple granary and courtyard with stone lamps, banana-leaf serving plates, and a sacred flag fluttering; sacks of grain and a measuring bowl emphasize anna-dāna.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["harvest gold","terracotta","leaf green","coconut brown","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: temple courtyard anna-dāna scene with donors offering grain into a brāhmaṇa’s vessel, rows of recipients seated; devas faintly visible in the upper register with gold-leaf halos; rich reds and greens, embossed gold borders, ornate pillars, jewel-like detailing on vessels and garments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle narrative of grain donation near a small hill-temple, delicate figures and patterned textiles; soft dawn sky with faint devas; cool blues and greens balanced with warm ochres, lyrical trees, fine linework and calm expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized temple setting with bold outlines; donors holding grain measures, brāhmaṇa blessing, recipients seated in orderly rows; upper band shows devas as icon-like forms; red-ochre ground, yellow and green garments, decorative floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: anna-dāna as devotional service framed by lotus and creeper borders; central courtyard with grain vessels and banana-leaf plates; upper register with celestial attendants; deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns, peacocks and floral motifs at corners."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","murmur of crowd","clinking of metal bowls","conch shell at opening","doves/birds in courtyard"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सस्यात् → सः + स्यात् (visarga sandhi). दिव्यतिथिर्भूप → दिव्यतिथिः + भूप. तस्माच्छ्रद्धान्वितैः → तस्मात् + श्रद्धान्वितैः (त् + श् → च्छ्). तत्फलम् → तत् + फलम्.
FAQs
It praises giving grain/food (a form of dāna), presenting it as a sacred observance that benefits the divine order.
Because the inner attitude of faith is presented as what makes the gift spiritually effective, ensuring the promised fruit.
Sustain others through generous giving—especially food—done sincerely and reverently, since such charity has reliable moral and spiritual results.