Shloka 138
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
विप्राय विधिवद्देयं तेषां लोकोक्षयो भवेत् । तिलपिष्टमयं कृत्वा गजं रत्नसमन्वितम्
viprāya vidhivaddeyaṃ teṣāṃ lokokṣayo bhavet | tilapiṣṭamayaṃ kṛtvā gajaṃ ratnasamanvitam
พึงถวายแก่พราหมณ์ตามพิธีอันถูกต้อง; ด้วยเหตุนี้โลกสวรรค์ของเขาย่อมไม่เสื่อมสลาย ครั้นปั้นช้างด้วยแป้งงาและประดับด้วยรัตนะแล้วจึงถวายทาน
Unspecified (context-dependent within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa narrative)
Concept: Dāna must be performed with proper rite and worthy recipient; such sāttvika giving yields enduring heavenly attainment.
Application: Give thoughtfully: choose a deserving recipient, follow ethical procedure, and add intentionality (a crafted offering, symbolic gift) rather than impulsive charity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brāhmaṇa sits on a kusa-grass seat as a donor presents a meticulously sculpted elephant made from sesame paste, its forehead set with tiny jewel inlays. Ritual vessels, darbha, and a small fire altar frame the offering, while attendants hold a parasol and a cloth bundle of additional gifts.","primary_figures":["donor (gṛhastha)","brāhmaṇa recipient","ritual assistant","tila-gaja (sesame elephant effigy)"],"setting":"Ritual courtyard with kusa mats, kalaśas, small homa-kuṇḍa, offering platform","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky amber","sesame beige","ruby red","emerald green","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up of tila-gaja donation—sesame elephant effigy adorned with gem-like dots, donor in silk dhoti offering with folded hands, brāhmaṇa blessing gesture; gold leaf highlights on jewelry, vessels, and altar flames; rich reds/greens, ornate borders with lotus and conch motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard dāna scene with delicate lines; sesame elephant rendered with subtle texture, jewels as tiny bright points; soft evening light, refined expressions, minimal background architecture with floral creepers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ritual tableau with bold outlines; sesame elephant simplified into iconic form with patterned jewel motifs; warm red/yellow/green pigments, rhythmic arrangement of vessels and altar, large-eyed figures in formal poses.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central offering platform with tila-gaja surrounded by symmetrical floral borders, hanging lamps, and lotus medallions; deep blue ground with gold detailing; devotional framing that subtly includes Vaiṣṇava symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) in the border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["low mantra murmur","crackle of small fire","clink of metal vessels","brief bell chime"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लोकोक्षयः → लोक-क्षयः; विधिवद्देयं → विधिवत् + देयम्; तिलपिष्टमयं → तिल-पिष्ट-मयम्; रत्नसमन्वितम् → रत्न-समन्वितम्
FAQs
A ritual donation of an elephant-shaped offering made from sesame paste (tilapiṣṭa), ornamented with jewels, to be given to a brāhmaṇa.
The verse states that the donor attains an imperishable (akṣaya) heavenly world/merit—i.e., enduring spiritual reward.
It emphasizes disciplined charity: giving (dāna) should be performed with proper procedure (vidhi) and directed toward worthy recipients, linking generosity with lasting merit.