Shloka 124
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
कालतीर्थसुपात्राणां श्रद्धा योगात्प्रजायते । नास्ति श्रद्धासमं पुण्यं नास्ति श्रद्धासमं सुखम्
kālatīrthasupātrāṇāṃ śraddhā yogātprajāyate | nāsti śraddhāsamaṃ puṇyaṃ nāsti śraddhāsamaṃ sukham
యోగసాధన వలన సరైన కాలం, తీర్థం, సుపాత్రం పట్ల శ్రద్ధ జన్మిస్తుంది. శ్రద్ధతో సమానమైన పుణ్యం లేదు; శ్రద్ధతో సమానమైన సుఖం లేదు.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa Adhyaya 39; commonly transmitted within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame, but not explicit in the provided verse alone)
Concept: Śraddhā, born of disciplined inner practice, is the supreme source of merit and happiness; it illumines right time, right tirtha, and right recipient.
Application: Build a daily sādhanā (japa, study, prayer) that strengthens faith; then choose when/where/to whom you give with calm confidence rather than social pressure.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditating sage sits beside a symbolic triad: a clock-like sun disc for kāla, a shimmering ford for tīrtha, and a humble worthy recipient for supātra—each glowing only when touched by a stream of light labeled ‘śraddhā’ emanating from the sage’s heart. The king watches, astonished, as faith itself becomes the lamp that reveals sacredness in time, place, and person.","primary_figures":["yogī-ṛṣi (meditating sage)","rājā (king)","personified Śraddhā (subtle luminous presence)","supātra (worthy recipient)"],"setting":"quiet hermitage near a clear water ford; symbolic sun-disc and ritual objects arranged as teaching aids","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","sun-gold","pearl white","lotus pink","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central yogi-sage with gold leaf aura, a radiant stream of light labeled śraddhā illuminating a golden sun-disc (kāla), a jewel-like river ford (tīrtha), and a humble supātra receiving a gift, ornate borders, rich reds/greens, gem-studded highlights and traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene hermitage scene with delicate brushwork, cool blues and greens, a soft glowing motif connecting sage-heart to sun and river, refined facial expressions of wonder in the king, lyrical naturalism with flowering trees and distant hills.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized luminous śraddhā motif as a golden ribbon, sage in meditation posture, symbolic sun and river rendered in temple-wall iconography, dominant reds/yellows/greens with patterned borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central mandala of Śraddhā as a lotus-lamp, surrounding vignettes of tīrtha, kāla (sun/moon), and supātra-dāna, intricate lotus and floral borders, deep indigo ground with gold and pink lotuses, peacocks at corners."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","flowing water","distant temple bell","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योगात्प्रजायते = योगात् प्रजायते. नास्ति = न + अस्ति.
FAQs
It presents śraddhā as the highest inner requirement for religious life: greater than external acts, it is the source of true merit (puṇya) and lasting happiness (sukha).
The verse summarizes ritual discernment: acts like charity, vows, and offerings become meaningful when aligned with proper timing, performed at sanctified places, and given to fit recipients—yet all of this is fulfilled and empowered by śraddhā.
It states that śraddhā is born from yoga—i.e., from inner discipline and integration—implying that sustained practice refines understanding and produces stable, reverent conviction rather than mere belief.