Shloka 170
Karma, Non-Violence, Tīrtha & Gaṅgā Merit, Vaiṣṇava Protection, Śālagrāma Worship, and Ekādaśī as Deliverance
उपानद्वस्त्रमन्नानि पत्रं मूलं फलं जलम् । अवंध्यं दिवसं कार्य्यं दरिद्रेणापि वैश्यक
upānadvastramannāni patraṃ mūlaṃ phalaṃ jalam | avaṃdhyaṃ divasaṃ kāryyaṃ daridreṇāpi vaiśyaka
చెప్పులు, వస్త్రాలు, అన్నం, ఆకులు, కందమూలాలు, ఫలాలు, నీరు—ఓ వైశ్యకా, పేదవాడైనా ఇవి దానం చేసి తన దినాన్ని సఫలముగా చేసుకోవాలి।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses in Svarga-khaṇḍa 3.31).
Concept: No day should be wasted: even the poor can give something simple and necessary, turning ordinary life into merit.
Application: Keep a ‘small dāna basket’: water bottle, fruit, simple cloth, or sandals for someone in need; practice micro-charity daily; prioritize essentials that relieve immediate suffering.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A poor yet radiant householder arranges humble gifts—sandals, a folded cloth, a clay pot of water, and a small plate of fruits and roots—on a clean mat by the roadside. Travelers and a weary mendicant approach; the giver’s face shows resolve that the day will not be ‘avandhya’ (wasted).","primary_figures":["poor Vaiśya householder","weary traveler","mendicant","child receiving water (optional)"],"setting":"roadside under a banyan tree near a village edge; earthen hut in the background; simple mat with offerings","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["banyan green","terracotta","indigo shadow","sunlit amber","cream white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: roadside charity tableau with the donor presenting pādukā and vastra, a gleaming water pot highlighted with gold leaf, ornate border framing, rich reds/greens in textiles, subtle divine aura suggesting Nārāyaṇa’s approval without depicting opulence; traditional iconographic symmetry and decorative arch.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate roadside scene under a banyan, delicate rendering of fruits, leaves, and roots, soft mountain-like horizon, gentle expressions, cool palette with warm highlights, lyrical naturalism emphasizing simplicity and tenderness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and flat yet vibrant pigments; the donor offering a water pot and cloth, stylized banyan leaves, rhythmic composition; red/yellow/green palette with restrained detailing, eyes expressive and compassionate.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central act of offering water and fruit, surrounded by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; peacocks perched above; deep blue background with gold accents; the gifts arranged like a devotional offering, evoking everyday seva as festival-like sanctity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on dust","water poured into a cup","soft bell chime"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपानद्वस्त्रमन्नानि = उपानत् + वस्त्रम् + अन्नानि (list with sandhi); अवंध्यं normalized to अवन्ध्यम्; दरिद्रेणापि = दरिद्रेण + अपि.
FAQs
It teaches that one should not let a day go to waste; even with limited means, a person can practice dharma through simple acts of giving such as water, food, fruit, or basic necessities.
The list emphasizes accessibility: charity is not restricted to the wealthy. Ordinary, locally available items can still become meaningful gifts when offered with goodwill.
In this verse the emphasis is practical dharma (dāna/charity) rather than a specific ritual or sectarian doctrine; it aligns with the Purāṇic ideal that daily virtue supports spiritual merit.