Shloka 49
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
आसनं चैव तांबूलं दत्वा स्वर्गान्न हीयते । एवं वर्षत्रयेणैव पुष्करिण्याः फलं लभेत्
āsanaṃ caiva tāṃbūlaṃ datvā svargānna hīyate | evaṃ varṣatrayeṇaiva puṣkariṇyāḥ phalaṃ labhet
ผู้ใดถวายอาสนะและถวายตัมพูล (หมากพลู) ย่อมไม่เสื่อมจากสวรรค์ ดังนี้เพียงสามปีเท่านั้น ก็ได้ผลบุญอันเต็มเปี่ยมแห่งปุษกรินี คือสระน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 58 framing dialogue).
Concept: Hospitality and small, culturally complete gifts offered in a sacred setting preserve heavenly merit and rapidly mature spiritual fruit.
Application: Practice daily satkāra: offer a seat, water, and respectful welcome to guests; support local temple tanks/ponds and pilgrim facilities consistently for a set period.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the stone steps of a lotus-filled temple pond, a householder offers a carved wooden seat and a small tray of tāmbūla to a weary pilgrim. The pond reflects a nearby shrine and swaying banyan branches, suggesting that simple courtesies become luminous offerings in a tīrtha’s presence.","primary_figures":["pious householder (dātā)","pilgrim/guest (atithi)","temple priest (optional)"],"setting":"Ancient puṣkariṇī with ghāṭa steps, lotus blooms, small Viṣṇu shrine and hanging bells, pilgrims resting under a tree.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","sandalwood beige","sapphire blue","leaf green","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene temple tank (puṣkariṇī) with stepped ghāṭa; the donor offers an ornate āsana and a tāmbūla tray to a pilgrim; a small Viṣṇu shrine in the background with gold-leaf haloed iconography, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, intricate floral borders, and shimmering gold highlights on the water and temple lamps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene at a lotus pond with soft ripples; refined figures exchanging āsana and tāmbūla; cool blues and greens, lyrical trees and distant temple spire, fine linework on garments, gentle facial expressions, and a calm devotional atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; temple tank with stylized lotus clusters; donor and pilgrim in traditional attire; warm red-yellow-green palette, lamp-lit shrine details, large expressive eyes, and rhythmic decorative patterns along the ghāṭa.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a sacred pond framed by ornate floral borders and lotus motifs; pilgrims welcomed with āsana and tāmbūla as an offering to Viṣṇu’s presence; deep indigo water, gold detailing, peacocks near the steps, and a small central shrine suggesting the tīrtha’s sanctity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch in distance","rippling water","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca eva; svargānna = svargāt na.
FAQs
The verse praises simple acts of dāna (charitable giving)—specifically offering a seat (āsana) and betel (tāmbūla)—as producing lasting spiritual merit.
It treats a puṣkariṇī as a tīrtha-associated source of religious merit, stating that its “fruit” can be attained within a defined period—here, three years—through prescribed merit-making conduct.
Small, accessible gifts given with respect and hospitality can carry significant spiritual value, emphasizing generosity and honoring guests/recipients as a path to auspicious results.