Shloka 11
Merits of Vitastā, Devikā, Rudrakoṭī and Sarasvatī Sacred Fords
यथाशक्ति नरस्तत्र निवेद्य भरतर्षभ । सर्वकामसमृद्धस्य यज्ञस्य लभते फलम्
yathāśakti narastatra nivedya bharatarṣabha | sarvakāmasamṛddhasya yajñasya labhate phalam
ఓ భరతశ్రేష్ఠా! అక్కడ తన శక్తి మేరకు నివేదన చేసిన మనుష్యుడు, సమస్త కామ్యఫలములతో పరిపూర్ణమైన యజ్ఞఫలాన్ని పొందును.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svargakhaṇḍa dialogues)
Concept: Sincere offering according to one’s capacity yields complete spiritual fruit; intention and devotion complete the act.
Application: Give within your means—time, service, charity—without shame or comparison; consistency and sincerity matter more than scale.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the Devikā bank, a humble pilgrim places a small offering—flowers, a lamp, and a handful of grains—before a simple altar, while priests and sages look on with approving calm. Above, an unseen radiance suggests the invisible completion of a ‘sarva-kāma-samṛddha’ yajña through pure intent.","primary_figures":["Humble pilgrim","Brāhmaṇa priest","Sages (witnesses)"],"setting":"Riverbank altar with offering plates, kusa grass, small fire-bowl (symbolic), and a shrine backdrop","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["warm ochre","ghee-lamp gold","river teal","ivory white","crimson accents"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotee offering a small plate at Devikā ghāṭa, priests blessing; gold leaf highlighting the offering flame and a subtle celestial aura signifying yajña-phala, rich reds/greens, ornate borders and arch motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate vignette of modest dāna at a riverside, delicate lines, soft pastel palette, gentle expressions, distant hills and trees framing the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of devotee and priest near river, stylized offering lamp, patterned textiles; earthy reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative floral borders, lotus motifs around the offering scene, multiple small lamps, deep blue background with gold highlights to suggest unseen merit."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft flowing water","single temple bell","low chant drone","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नरस्तत्र = नरः + तत्र.
FAQs
It teaches that offerings made sincerely and within one’s means can yield the merit equivalent to a fully endowed sacrifice.
It prioritizes proportional, capacity-based giving (yathāśakti), implying sincerity and suitability matter more than sheer quantity.
“Bharatarṣabha” is an honorific meaning “best among the Bharatas,” used to respectfully address a noble listener in the narrative.