Shloka 25
Narmadā Pilgrimage Itinerary: Sequence of Tīrthas, Rites, and Fruits
यथाशक्त्यनुराजेंद्र भोजयेत्सहदक्षिणम् । तस्यतीर्थप्रभावेण सर्वं कोटिगुणं भवेत्
yathāśaktyanurājeṃdra bhojayetsahadakṣiṇam | tasyatīrthaprabhāveṇa sarvaṃ koṭiguṇaṃ bhavet
ข้าแต่พระราชา ผู้คนพึงเลี้ยงดูผู้ควรแก่ทานตามกำลัง พร้อมถวายทักษิณาอันเหมาะสม ด้วยอานุภาพแห่งตีรถะนั้น บุญทั้งปวงย่อมทวีคูณถึงโกฏิเท่า
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher addressing a king)
Concept: Give and feed according to one’s means; sincerity plus sacred context magnifies spiritual results.
Application: Practice sustainable charity: set a regular giving budget, offer dakṣiṇā fairly, and support those who preserve learning/service; avoid debt-driven show-donations.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage instructs a crowned king beside a sacred ford where rows of guests are being served. The king offers dakṣiṇā into open palms, while the river’s shimmering aura is depicted as a subtle halo around the entire scene, suggesting the tīrtha’s invisible multiplication of merit.","primary_figures":["sage/ācārya","king (rājendra)","recipients (brahmins, pilgrims, poor)","tīrtha personified aura"],"setting":"Riverside feeding hall with leaf-plates, water pots, and a visible ford with steps descending into the water.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm gold","river teal","leaf green","maroon","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king distributing dakṣiṇā with gold-leaf coins and ornate vessels; sage with halo, rows of seated recipients; heavy gold leaf on jewelry and river aura, rich maroon-green textiles, stylized steps of the ghāṭa.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle narrative tableau with fine lines—king and sage in the foreground, recipients in rhythmic rows; translucent river wash indicating sacred potency, soft pastel architecture, refined expressions of humility and gratitude.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat yet vibrant colors; king and sage in formal stance, recipients seated; river rendered with patterned waves and a luminous band signifying tīrtha-prabhāva, warm reds/yellows/greens.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical composition with decorative borders; repeated motifs of hands receiving dakṣiṇā, lotus medallions around the river aura, deep blue-green ground with gold highlights, devotional abundance without clutter."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["chanting of blessings","clink of coins","river flow","temple bells","soft conch in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथाशक्त्यनुराजेंद्र = यथाशक्ति + अनु + राजेन्द्र (इ + अ → य). भोजयेत्सहदक्षिणम् = भोजयेत् + सह + दक्षिणम् (त् + स → त्स). तस्यतीर्थप्रभावेण = तस्य + तीर्थप्रभावेण (अ + त → अ त; external sandhi with vowel coalescence not changing form in Devanagari).
FAQs
It advises feeding the worthy (such as guests, brāhmaṇas, or the needy) according to one’s means, and giving dakṣiṇā along with the meal.
It implies that actions performed at a sacred tīrtha carry amplified spiritual fruit; the place itself is said to multiply the merit of the offering.
The verse stresses proportional generosity—give sincerely within your capacity—while honoring recipients with both nourishment and respectful gifting.