Shloka 23
The Manifestation of Viṣṇu’s Footprints: Vāmana–Trivikrama, Bāṣkali’s Subjugation, and the Rise of Viṣṇupadī
Gaṅgā
यद्येनोपकृतं यस्य सहस्रगुणितं पुनः । यो न तस्योपकाराय तत्करोति वृथा मतिः
yadyenopakṛtaṃ yasya sahasraguṇitaṃ punaḥ | yo na tasyopakārāya tatkaroti vṛthā matiḥ
ఎవరికైనా ఎవరో సహస్రగుణమైన ఉపకారం చేసినపుడు, అతడు ఆ ఉపకారికి ప్రతిఫలంగా ఏదియు చేయకపోతే అతని బుద్ధి వ్యర్థమే।
Unspecified (narratorial/gnomic instruction within the chapter context)
Concept: Gratitude must become action: one who receives great help should repay or support the benefactor; otherwise intention and intellect are ‘vṛthā’ (wasted).
Application: Keep a ‘debt of gratitude’ list (parents, teachers, mentors); repay through service, protection, and timely help rather than mere words.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-like sage places a hand in blessing on a student who offers a humble gift and bows, while behind them a symbolic scale balances ‘received help’ and ‘returned service’. The atmosphere is calm and instructive, suggesting dharma as a clear path rather than a threat.","primary_figures":["sage/ācārya","student/householder offering service","symbolic attendants holding a balance scale"],"setting":"a quiet āśrama veranda with tulip-shaped lamps, manuscripts, and a small altar","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm saffron","sandstone beige","leaf green","ink black","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: an ācārya seated with gold-leaf halo, a devotee/student offering a cloth bundle and bowing, ornate gold leaf on the symbolic balance scale and altar, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry emphasizing dharma and gratitude.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene āśrama scene at dawn, delicate brushwork showing a sage and a student in respectful exchange, cool greens and pale gold sky, refined facial features conveying calm resolve, minimal architecture with lyrical trees and birds.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of guru and disciple, stylized eyes, warm red-yellow-green palette, a dharma-scale motif above, temple-wall aesthetic presenting gratitude as sacred duty.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional allegory with a central lotus and a pair of hands exchanging a garland (symbol of gratitude), intricate floral borders, deep blue background with gold highlights, peacocks and cows as auspicious witnesses to righteous reciprocity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","gentle temple bell","morning birds","pages turning softly"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यद्येनोपकृतम् = यदि + येन + उपकृतम्; तस्योपकाराय = तस्य + उपकाराय; तत्करोति = तत् + करोति.
FAQs
It teaches kṛtajñatā (gratitude): one should actively repay a benefactor’s help; failing to do so makes one’s intentions and moral sense ‘in vain’.
No. “Sahasraguṇitam” is an intensifier, stressing that the received help is immensely valuable and therefore deserves sincere, meaningful reciprocity.
By acknowledging assistance received and responding with timely support, service, protection, or resources—according to one’s capacity—rather than neglecting the benefactor.