Shloka 14
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
चतुर्हस्तप्रमाणं तु कूपं खनति यः पुमान् । परोपकारकं नित्यं कल्पं स्वर्गं तु हायने
caturhastapramāṇaṃ tu kūpaṃ khanati yaḥ pumān | paropakārakaṃ nityaṃ kalpaṃ svargaṃ tu hāyane
నాలుగు హస్త ప్రమాణముగల బావిని తవ్వి, నిత్యం పరహితంలో నిమగ్నుడై ఉండే పురుషుడు ఒక కల్పకాలం స్వర్గాన్ని పొందును—అంతేకాదు ఒక సంవత్సరమాత్రమైనా స్వర్గఫలాన్ని అనుభవించును.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; exact dialogue speaker not provided in the input).
Concept: Constructing a well for others (paropakāra) generates vast, long-lasting heavenly merit—service becomes a durable spiritual investment.
Application: Support public goods—water access, shelters, food distribution—quietly and consistently; make one’s spirituality measurable in reduced suffering for others.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Villagers gather as a benefactor oversees the digging of a four-cubit well; the first clear water rises, reflecting the sky like a mirror of merit. Travelers and animals drink, while a subtle celestial ledger glows above, hinting at kalpa-long reward for simple, compassionate infrastructure.","primary_figures":["a donor (gṛhastha)","well-diggers","travelers","cows and birds"],"setting":"Dusty roadside near a banyan tree with a newly built stone well and water pots","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["earth ochre","stone beige","water turquoise","banyan green","sun gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: stone well at center with shimmering water highlighted by gold leaf; donor offering a water pot to a traveler; ornate border with auspicious motifs; rich reds/greens, gold leaf on water ripples and halos, traditional South Indian decorative density.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: rural roadside scene with banyan tree, delicate figures digging and drawing water; soft atmospheric perspective, gentle morning light, cool shadows; refined facial features and patterned garments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of a circular well, stylized banyan leaves, donor figure in profile offering water; strong red/yellow/green palette with rhythmic repetition of pots and hands, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central circular well framed by lotus and floral borders; processional line of travelers and animals drinking; deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate foliage and peacock motifs symbolizing auspicious public charity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rope creak and bucket splash","village ambience","birds near banyan","soft bell chime","wind over open land"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चतुर्हस्तप्रमाणम् = चतुर् + हस्त + प्रमाणम्; परोपकारकम् = पर + उपकारकम्
FAQs
It praises digging a well of a specified measure (four cubits), presenting it as a sustained act of public benefit (paropakāra) that yields great religious merit.
The verse associates this charitable act with attainment of heaven (svarga), describing the merit as lasting as long as a kalpa (aeon), and also mentioning merit accruing for (or within) a year.
It teaches that practical compassion—creating resources that serve many, like a well—counts as high dharma, and that ongoing service to others is spiritually transformative.