Shloka 90
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
जलपुष्पादिदीपार्थे वसु चान्यद्गृहीतवान् । पश्चान्न दीयते लोभादक्षयं नरकं व्रजेत्
jalapuṣpādidīpārthe vasu cānyadgṛhītavān | paścānna dīyate lobhādakṣayaṃ narakaṃ vrajet
జలము, పుష్పము, దీపము మొదలైన అర్పణార్థం ధనం గానీ ఇతర వస్తువు గానీ తీసుకొని, తరువాత లోభముచేత ఇవ్వకపోతే, వాడు అక్షయ నరకానికి పోవును।
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed to confirm the dialogue frame, e.g., Pulastya–Bhīṣma).
Concept: Taking funds for worship supplies and then withholding the service out of greed is a serious breach of trust leading to severe karmic punishment.
Application: If you accept responsibility for a religious/charitable task, fulfill it fully; keep clear accounts; return funds if unable to perform; avoid ‘religious fraud’.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple supplier accepts coins for water, flowers, and lamps, then turns away with a clenched fist while the altar remains unlit and offerings absent. The unoffered lamp becomes a symbolic void; behind him, a dark corridor opens into an ‘endless’ hell, suggesting the akṣaya consequence of greed.","primary_figures":["temple attendant/supplier","devotee patron","deity altar (unlit lamp as symbol)","Yama-dūtas (shadowy)"],"setting":"Temple outer corridor with a view into sanctum; symbolic passage into naraka","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["dusty gold","smoke gray","dark maroon","withered green","lamp black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: foreground figure receiving coins, rendered with rich textiles; sanctum behind with an unlit brass lamp and empty flower plate; gold leaf highlights on temple pillars; a dark arched doorway vignette shows akṣaya naraka as repeating flame motifs, ornate border emphasizing moral gravity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate narrative—patron’s outstretched hand, attendant’s evasive posture; delicate depiction of empty offering tray; background fades into a long, dark corridor suggesting ‘endlessness’, cool shadows with restrained reds.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: strong outlines, expressive gestures; central unlit lamp icon; attendant’s greed shown through stylized hand clutching coins; naraka as patterned red-black bands receding, temple mural storytelling format.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative temple border with bells and lotuses; central altar with conspicuously empty offering plates; the ‘akṣaya’ idea shown as repeating circular motifs of dark florals turning into flames along the lower border, deep blues and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["coin clink","temple bells (muted)","absence of lamp crackle","distant conch","heavy silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चान्यद्गृहीतवान् = च + अन्यत् + गृहीतवान्; पश्चान्न = पश्चात् + न; लोभादक्षयम् = लोभात् + अक्षयम्.
FAQs
Accepting money or goods in the name of ritual offerings (water, flowers, lamps, etc.) and then withholding the promised offering out of greed.
The verse states that such deceit leads to akṣaya naraka—an unending or long-lasting hellish consequence.
Religious acts must be performed with integrity: taking responsibility for what one accepts, avoiding greed, and not exploiting devotion or sacred duties for personal gain.