Shloka 50
The Procedure for the Consecration of a Pond
पुनर्दिनानि होतव्यं चत्वारि राजसत्तम । चतुर्थीकर्म कर्त्तव्यं देयं तत्रापि शक्तितः
punardināni hotavyaṃ catvāri rājasattama | caturthīkarma karttavyaṃ deyaṃ tatrāpi śaktitaḥ
ข้าแต่พระราชาผู้ประเสริฐ อีกครั้งหนึ่งพึงถวายอาหุติในโหมะติดต่อกันสี่วัน และในวันที่สี่พึงประกอบพิธีที่กำหนดไว้ พร้อมทั้งถวายทาน ณ ที่นั้นตามกำลังศรัทธาและความสามารถ
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/teacher addressing a king: “rājasattama”)
Concept: Sustained ritual commitment over multiple days, culminating in a fourth-day rite and dāna according to capacity, is praised as righteous kingship and disciplined worship.
Application: Commit to spiritual practice in a realistic schedule (multi-day consistency); complete what you begin; give regularly within your means—consistency outweighs extravagance.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king sits respectfully near the fire altar, listening as the officiant instructs him to continue offerings for four days. Each day the flames rise steadily, and on the fourth day the rite culminates with orderly gifts—cloth, cows, and vessels—distributed with calm dignity according to the king’s means.","primary_figures":["king (rājasattama)","chief priest (ṛtvik)","attendant priests","recipients of dāna"],"setting":"Royal yajña pavilion with a central homa-kuṇḍa, banners, and neatly arranged gift items at the side.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron flame-orange","royal maroon","antique gold","ash gray","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king in regal attire seated humbly before a blazing homa fire, priest instructing four-day oblations; fourth-day dāna scene with gold leaf on crowns and vessels, rich reds/greens, gem-studded ornaments, symmetrical pavilion architecture.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined courtly yajña scene with delicate lines, soft fire glow, king’s composed expression; gifts arranged in tidy rows, subtle narrative of four days suggested by repeated lamp/fire motifs; cool background with warm highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized flames, king and priests with characteristic eye shapes; fourth-day rite emphasized with prominent gift bundles; warm pigment palette, temple-wall compositional balance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: yajña pavilion framed by floral borders; central fire altar with gold accents; attendants carrying dāna items in rhythmic procession; lotus motifs and peacocks at the border, deep blues contrasting with flame gold."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["homa fire crackle","low Vedic chanting","soft drum (mridang-like)","temple bells at intervals"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: punar + dināni → punardināni; tatra + api → tatrāpi.
FAQs
It instructs that a homa/oblations be continued for four more days, followed by a specific “fourth-day rite” (caturthī-karma), along with appropriate gifts (dāna).
The verse stresses proportional giving—donations should be made “according to one’s capacity” (śaktitaḥ), aligning ritual duty with responsible ethics.
“Rājasattama” means “best among kings.” The exact individual depends on the surrounding dialogue in Adhyaya 27, but the instruction is directed to a royal listener.