Shloka 47
Dharma as the Cause of Prosperity and the Signs of a Righteous Death
धनाढ्यस्य सुपुण्यस्य वैश्यस्यैव महामते । धर्मेण मोदते तत्र पुनः पुण्यं करोति सः
dhanāḍhyasya supuṇyasya vaiśyasyaiva mahāmate | dharmeṇa modate tatra punaḥ puṇyaṃ karoti saḥ
โอ้ผู้มีปัญญายิ่ง ไวศยะผู้มั่งคั่งและมีบุญใหญ่ย่อมยินดี ณ ที่นั้นด้วยการประพฤติธรรม และแล้วเขายังทำกุศลเพิ่มพูนขึ้นอีก
Unspecified (vocative address to 'mahāmate' indicates a narrator addressing a listener within a dialogue context, but the speaker is not identifiable from this single verse alone).
Concept: Wealth joined to puṇya becomes a vehicle for dharmic delight and the continual accumulation of merit through righteous action.
Application: Use prosperity to support sattvic duties—honest trade, charity, hospitality, temple support—so that enjoyment becomes dharma-sahita and self-reinforcing.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A prosperous Vaiśya stands at the threshold of a small Viṣṇu shrine, offering grains and coins to a line of travelers and brāhmaṇas. His face shows calm satisfaction, while behind him a ledger and weighing scales rest unused, symbolizing commerce subordinated to dharma.","primary_figures":["Dharmic Vaiśya householder","Viṣṇu (as household deity icon)","Brāhmaṇas/guests","Tulasi plant (optional, as Vaishnava marker)"],"setting":"A clean courtyard with a lamp-lit altar, granary jars, and a Tulasi-vṛndāvana; village street visible beyond.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron gold","emerald green","vermillion red","ivory white","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a wealthy Vaiśya in traditional attire offering dāna before a small Viṣṇu altar, gold leaf halo around the deity icon, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch frame, detailed brass lamps and vessels, serene devotional expressions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a village courtyard scene with delicate brushwork, the Vaiśya offering alms to guests near a modest Viṣṇu shrine, cool yet warm-balanced palette, refined faces, lyrical trees and distant hills, subtle patterned textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments, the householder in profile offering grains and flowers to a Viṣṇu icon, stylized lamp flames, red/yellow/green dominance, large expressive eyes, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu shrine framed by lotus motifs and floral borders, the donor and recipients arranged symmetrically, peacocks and cows at the margins, deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile patterns suggesting auspicious prosperity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","gentle conch in distance","evening lamp crackle","quiet village ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वैश्यस्य+एव → वैश्यस्यैव
FAQs
It presents wealth as compatible with spiritual progress when guided by dharma; the wealthy person finds joy through righteous living and continues to generate puṇya through further good actions.
The verse highlights a householder-economic role (Vaiśya) as capable of high merit, emphasizing ethical prosperity—earning and enjoying wealth through dharma and reinvesting it in virtuous deeds.
Merit is not static: one who lives by dharma naturally rejoices and is motivated to perform additional good deeds, creating a reinforcing cycle of ethical action and spiritual benefit.