Shloka 16
The Hymn to Gaṇapati
and the Rule of Worshipping Gaṇeśa First
तस्मात्सुतशतादेषोऽधिकः शतगुणैरपि । अतो ददामि हेरम्बे मोदकं देवनिर्मितम्
tasmātsutaśatādeṣo'dhikaḥ śataguṇairapi | ato dadāmi herambe modakaṃ devanirmitam
เพราะเหตุนั้น ผู้นี้ผู้เดียวประเสริฐยิ่งกว่าบุตรหนึ่งร้อย—ยิ่งกว่านั้นถึงร้อยเท่า ฉะนั้น โอ้เฮรัมพะ ข้าพเจ้าขอน้อมถวายโมทกะนี้ อันเทวะทั้งหลายได้เนรมิตไว้
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/speaker within Adhyaya 63)
Concept: One who embodies the highlighted dharma surpasses even ‘a hundred sons’; divine reward is expressed through offering (modaka) and precedence.
Application: Reward and honor virtue publicly; let gratitude take the form of tangible offerings and kind words, not only inner approval.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine hand presents a gleaming modaka—round, pleated, and luminous—as if crafted from celestial nectar. Heramba (Ganapati) is depicted with gentle majesty, receiving the sweet as a sign of supreme approval, while the surrounding court glows with auspicious stillness.","primary_figures":["Heramba (Ganesha)","giver figure (contextual speaker)","Parvati","Shiva","attendant devas"],"setting":"Inner sanctum-like palace hall with a small offering pedestal, garlands, and a ritual lamp; faint celestial artisanship motifs hint that the modaka is ‘deva-nirmita’.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["molten gold","coconut white","ruby red","leaf green","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Heramba seated with gold leaf halo, trunk curved toward a radiant modaka on a jeweled plate, Parvati and Shiva behind, heavy gem-studded ornaments, rich reds/greens, embossed gold detailing on the modaka and plate, sacred lamp flames, ornate arch (prabhavali).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate offering scene with refined expressions, Heramba’s gentle gaze, a luminous white-gold modaka in the foreground, soft pastel garments, cool shadows, delicate floral patterns, minimal gold accents, serene palace interior.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Heramba frontal with characteristic eyes, modaka emphasized with bright white and yellow, Parvati/Shiva as stylized presences, warm red/yellow/green palette, decorative borders with lotus and conch motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Heramba with symmetrical garlands and lotus borders, multiple modakas arranged like auspicious motifs, deep blue background with gold highlights, peacocks and floral vines framing the offering moment, intricate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","mridanga accents","conch shell (brief)","soft crowd murmur (divine court)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्मात् + सुतशतात् → तस्मात्सुतशताद्; एषः + अधिकः → एषोऽधिकः; अतो + ददामि → अतो ददामि (no change).
FAQs
Heramba is an epithet of Gaṇeśa, invoked here as the recipient of an offering (modaka) and praised as exceptionally worthy.
The verse uses hyperbole to express supreme value and auspiciousness—teaching that divine grace or a revered recipient can be considered more beneficial than even large worldly attachments.
Modaka is traditionally associated with Gaṇeśa as a favored sweet offered in worship, symbolizing sweetness of spiritual reward and the devotee’s reverent offering.