Shloka 135
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
यत्प्रदानान्नरः स्वर्गं प्राप्नोति सुरपूजितः । उत्तमो दशभिर्भारैर्मध्यमः पंचभिर्मतः
yatpradānānnaraḥ svargaṃ prāpnoti surapūjitaḥ | uttamo daśabhirbhārairmadhyamaḥ paṃcabhirmataḥ
அந்த தானத்தை அளித்தால் மனிதன் ஸ்வர்கத்தை அடைந்து தேவர்களால் போற்றப்படுவான். சிறந்த தானம் பத்து பார அளவு; நடுத்தர தானம் ஐந்து பார அளவு எனக் கூறப்படுகிறது.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; immediate speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Measured, intentional giving (dāna) yields svarga and divine esteem; gradations of gift-size map to gradations of merit.
Application: Practice regular charity with clear capacity-based commitments (e.g., monthly grain/food donation), emphasizing sincerity and proportionality rather than display.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene yajña-hall where a householder offers sacks of grain measured on a balance, while devas in the sky shower flowers in approval. The donor’s hands are extended in calm humility, and the scales glow as if sanctified by mantra.","primary_figures":["pious donor (gṛhastha)","brāhmaṇa recipient","devas (Indra’s retinue as witnesses)"],"setting":"ritual courtyard with altar, balance-scale, heaps of grain, and a small shrine to Viṣṇu","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","warm gold","rice-white","deep maroon","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dignified gṛhastha offering measured heaps of grain on a golden balance before a small Viṣṇu shrine; devas above shower jasmine flowers; heavy gold leaf halos, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch framing the scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene of charity in a quiet courtyard, fine linework on the balance and grain heaps; soft sky with small devas scattering blossoms; cool pastel palette with lyrical trees and refined faces.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined donor and brāhmaṇa near a stylized yajña-vedi; devas in a horizontal celestial band; earthy reds, yellows, and greens with characteristic large eyes and temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central offering scene framed by lotus borders and floral creepers; subtle Viṣṇu presence in a shrine niche; peacocks and cows at the margins; deep indigo background with gold detailing and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","murmured mantra","rustle of grain","distant birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yat+pradānāt→yatpradānāt; daśabhiḥ+bhāraiḥ→daśabhirbhāraiḥ (visarga→r before voiced); madhyamaḥ+paṃcabhiḥ→madhyamaḥ paṃcabhiḥ (no obligatory sandhi); paṃcabhiḥ+mataḥ→paṃcabhirmataḥ (visarga→r).
FAQs
It teaches that a specific act of donation leads to heavenly attainment and divine honor, and it classifies the donation by graded quantities (best vs. middling).
“Bhāra” is used as a traditional unit of weight/measure; the verse uses it to indicate the recommended quantity for higher or middling grades of the gift.
Yes—by linking giving with spiritual reward and honor, it reinforces generosity as a virtue that produces merit (puṇya) and elevates one’s posthumous destiny.