Shloka 185
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
पंचभिर्मध्यमः प्रोक्तस्तदर्धेनाधमः स्मृतः । अशक्तो विंशतेरूर्द्ध्वं कारयेच्छक्तितः सदा
paṃcabhirmadhyamaḥ proktastadardhenādhamaḥ smṛtaḥ | aśakto viṃśaterūrddhvaṃ kārayecchaktitaḥ sadā
ஐந்து (ஆஹுதி/அளவு) கொண்டு செய்யப்படும் விதி ‘மத்தியமம்’ எனப்படுகிறது; அதன் பாதியால் செய்வோர் ‘அதமம்’ எனக் கருதப்படுவர். இருபதிற்கு மேல் செய்ய இயலாவிடில், எப்போதும் தன் ஆற்றலுக்கேற்பச் செய்யச் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Unspecified (narrative injunction within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Ritual merit is safeguarded by sincerity and proportionality; one should perform according to śakti (capacity) rather than abandon dharma.
Application: Set sustainable vows (japa, dāna, fasting, service) that you can maintain daily; avoid all-or-nothing spirituality and keep consistency.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm dawn ritual pavilion where a householder and family sit before a small fire-altar, counting measured offerings with a rosary-like precision. A palm-leaf manual lies open as the officiant gently gestures, indicating ‘five’ and ‘half’ measures, emphasizing sincerity over extravagance.","primary_figures":["householder (yajamāna)","ṛtvik priest","guru (ācārya)","Agni (symbolic presence in altar flame)"],"setting":"thatched or temple-adjacent yajña-śālā with kusa grass, ladles, offering bowls, and a low fire-altar","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","smoke-gray","ghee-gold","palm-leaf tan","vermillion red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene yajña-śālā at dawn with a small blazing homa-kuṇḍa, the yajamāna offering measured āhutis (five and half-measures indicated by hand gestures), the guru seated receiving reverence; gold leaf embellishment on ritual vessels and haloed figures, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography, intricate border with lotus and conch motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate ritual scene in a quiet courtyard, delicate brushwork showing the priest’s fingers counting offerings, soft Himalayan-like pastel sky at dawn, lyrical naturalism with small birds on a nearby branch, refined facial features, subtle smoke curls rising from the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments depicting the homa fire, the priest instructing ‘yathā-śakti’ measures, stylized flames and ritual implements, characteristic large eyes, red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall aesthetic with ornamental creeper borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional courtyard with lotus motifs framing a homa altar, attendants holding offering trays, intricate floral borders, deep blues and gold accents; include subtle Vaishnava symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) on textiles, peacocks perched near the pavilion, rhythmic patterning around the measured offerings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","crackling fire","low mantra hum","dawn birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पंचभिः = पञ्चभिः; प्रोक्तस्तदर्धेनाधमः = प्रोक्तः तत् अर्धेन अधमः; विंशतेरूर्द्ध्वं = विंशतेः ऊर्ध्वम्; कारयेच्छक्तितः = कारयेत् शक्तितः
FAQs
It classifies levels of ritual performance (middling vs. inferior) and emphasizes that observances should be done according to one’s ability when full performance is not possible.
Yes. It explicitly states that if one is unable to perform beyond a higher prescribed measure, one should arrange the rite according to personal capacity (śaktitaḥ).
Sincerity and feasible discipline matter: one should not abandon dharma due to inability, but should practice responsibly within one’s means.