Shloka 78
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
विप्राय दद्याच्छंखं च सपदं याति शांकरम् । राजा भवति कल्पांते धृतिव्रतमिदं स्मृतम्
viprāya dadyācchaṃkhaṃ ca sapadaṃ yāti śāṃkaram | rājā bhavati kalpāṃte dhṛtivratamidaṃ smṛtam
బ్రాహ్మణునికి శంఖం దానం చేస్తే వెంటనే శంకరుని ధామాన్ని పొందుతాడు; కల్పాంతంలో రాజు అవుతాడు—ఇదే ‘ధృతివ్రతం’ అని స్మరించబడింది.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Adhyaya 20 context)
Concept: Dāna of a śaṅkha (conch) to a brāhmaṇa yields immediate exalted loka attainment and long-term sovereignty; the vow is named Dhṛti (steadfastness), implying that firm resolve expressed through sacred gifting stabilizes destiny.
Application: Cultivate dhṛti by making one clear, meaningful donation tied to sacred practice (supporting Vedic learning, temple worship, or community needs) and keeping the vow without wavering.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brāhmaṇa sits on a kusa mat as a devotee offers a pristine white conch wrapped in red cloth; the conch seems to glow, and its spiral subtly transforms into a luminous pathway rising toward a distant, snow-bright celestial abode. Behind them, a faint vision of a future king’s coronation appears like a karmic echo, symbolizing kalpānta sovereignty promised by Dhṛti-vrata.","primary_figures":["a devotee donor","a brāhmaṇa recipient","Śaṅkara (as distant celestial presence)","a symbolic future king (visionary motif)"],"setting":"ritual courtyard with kusa grass, offering tray, and a skyward visionary transition to a celestial realm","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["conch white","crimson red","ash grey","sapphire sky","golden aura"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central act of śaṅkha-dāna to a brāhmaṇa, the conch rendered with pearl sheen; above, a gold-leaf celestial register showing Śaṅkara’s abode with snowy peaks and a radiant halo; side vignette of coronation symbolism; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, heavy gold leaf embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate courtyard scene with refined figures; the conch glows softly, and a translucent spiral path rises into a pale Himalayan celestial landscape; subtle narrative layering with a small coronation vignette; cool palette, lyrical sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined donor and brāhmaṇa, prominent white conch with red cloth; upper band shows stylized Śivaloka with mountain motifs; symmetrical composition, traditional pigment palette, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders and swirling conch-spiral motif; central śaṅkha-dāna scene with deep blue background and gold highlights; peacocks and lotus patterns framing the ascent to a celestial register."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch blast","temple bells","resonant drone","wind over mountains"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्याच्छङ्खम् = दद्यात् + शङ्खम् (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि); शाङ्करम् (śāṃkaram) as destination-object with याति
FAQs
It teaches the merit (phala) of śaṅkha-dāna—donating a conch to a brāhmaṇa—presented as part of the Dhṛti-vrata, promising immediate spiritual attainment connected with Śaṅkara and future royal status at kalpa’s end.
The conch is treated as a ritually auspicious object; giving it as dāna is framed as a powerful act of merit that yields both spiritual fruit (Śaṅkara’s abode) and worldly fruit (kingship).
It emphasizes generosity toward learned and priestly recipients (brāhmaṇas) and the idea that disciplined vows (vratas) and charitable giving (dāna) are integral to dharma and lead to lasting results.