Shloka 97
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
यत्रतत्र प्रकर्त्तव्यं स्नानदानादिकं नृप । अक्षयं फलमाप्नोति सुतीर्थानां प्रसादतः
yatratatra prakarttavyaṃ snānadānādikaṃ nṛpa | akṣayaṃ phalamāpnoti sutīrthānāṃ prasādataḥ
ข้าแต่มหาราช ไม่ว่าอยู่แห่งหนใด พึงกระทำสรงน้ำอย่างศักดิ์สิทธิ์ การทาน และกิจอันควรอื่น ๆ ณ ที่นั้น ด้วยพระกรุณาแห่งสุ-ตีรถะ ย่อมได้ผลบุญอันไม่เสื่อมสูญ
Unspecified (addressing a king: नृप)
Concept: Regular acts of purification and charity, performed with tīrtha-consciousness, yield imperishable merit by the grace of sacred places.
Application: Make daily ‘micro-tīrtha’ habits: morning bath with mantra, small charity, feeding beings, offering water; sanctify ordinary locations by intention and remembrance of Hari.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble traveler-king pauses at an unassuming riverbank, performing a simple bath and offering a small gift to a mendicant, while unseen tīrtha-devatās shower subtle blessings. The scene emphasizes that sanctity can be invoked anywhere through sincere practice and grace.","primary_figures":["a king (nṛpa)","a mendicant/brāhmaṇa recipient of dāna","tīrtha-devatā figures (subtle, semi-transparent)"],"setting":"Quiet riverbank with steps (ghāṭa), a small shrine-stone, water pot, and a path leading into a village/forest.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm gold","river teal","sandalwood beige","vermillion","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king at a ghāṭa performing snāna with a golden aura, offering dāna to a brāhmaṇa; gold-leaf used for halos and water highlights; ornate arch framing a tiny shrine; rich reds/greens, jewel-like detailing on vessels and garments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate dawn river scene with delicate ripples, a small king figure and ascetic; soft pastel sky, refined facial features; lyrical trees and birds; emphasis on quiet devotion and everyday sanctity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭa steps, bold outlines; king holding kamaṇḍalu, brāhmaṇa receiving alms; symbolic tīrtha-devatā forms in the background; strong red-yellow-green palette with deep blue water.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative ghāṭa scene framed by floral borders; lotuses and water birds; repeated motifs of water pots and conch symbols; deep indigo field with gold accents, emphasizing ‘akṣaya’ through abundant patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft temple bells","birds at dawn","gentle conch shell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्रतत्र = यत्र + तत्र; प्रकर्त्तव्यं = प्र + कर्तव्यं (कृ-धातोः); स्नानदानादिकं = स्नान + दान + आदिकम्; फलमाप्नोति = फलम् + आप्नोति; सुतीर्थानां = सु + तीर्थानाम्; प्रसादतः = प्रसाद + तः (तसिल्)
FAQs
It emphasizes that snāna, dāna, and allied dharmic acts can be performed “wherever,” while attributing the resulting imperishable merit to the grace and sanctity associated with supreme tīrthas.
Akṣaya phala refers to merit that does not diminish—spiritually enduring benefit accrued through righteous acts like sacred bathing and charity.
Regular, place-independent dharma: maintaining generosity (dāna), purity/ritual discipline (snāna), and related virtuous observances as a consistent way of life.