Shloka 6
Glorification of Prayāga
The Gaṅgā–Yamunā Confluence
यथात्मनस्तथा सर्वान्दानं विप्रेषु दापयेत् । ऐश्वर्यलोभान्मोहाद्वा गच्छेद्यानेन यो नरः
yathātmanastathā sarvāndānaṃ vipreṣu dāpayet | aiśvaryalobhānmohādvā gacchedyānena yo naraḥ
ดังที่ตนเห็นตนเองฉันใด ก็พึงเห็นสรรพสัตว์ทั้งปวงฉันนั้น และพึงให้ทานแก่พราหมณ์ทั้งหลาย แต่บุรุษผู้ดำเนินทางนี้ด้วยความโลภในอำนาจและทรัพย์ หรือด้วยความหลง ย่อมพลาดเป้าหมายอันแท้จริง
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svargakhaṇḍa Adhyaya 43)
Concept: True dharma is empathy-based (ātma-upamya) and expressed through rightful dāna; greed and delusion corrupt the path and nullify its purpose.
Application: Practice ‘treat others as yourself’; give regularly (time, resources) to worthy recipients; examine motives—avoid spiritual practices for status, power, or display.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim pauses on a sacred path, placing gifts into the hands of calm, learned brāhmaṇas while looking upon nearby strangers with the same regard he shows himself. In the background, a shadowy figure of ‘greed’—a faint mirage of crowns and coins—dissolves, showing the triumph of pure intention over delusion.","primary_figures":["householder/pilgrim donor","brāhmaṇas (worthy recipients)","allegorical figure of greed/delusion (subtle)"],"setting":"Roadside charity pavilion (dharmaśālā) near a temple approach, with water pots, shade canopy, and travelers resting.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm gold","sandalwood beige","peacock green","royal blue","copper"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: donor offering dāna to seated brāhmaṇas under a canopy near a temple gateway; gold leaf on temple finial, ornaments, and offering vessels; rich reds/greens, symmetrical arrangement, ornate border with lotus and śaṅkha-cakra motifs; a faint, stylized greed-phantom of coins fading at the edge.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle ethical scene with refined faces—donor’s humility, brāhmaṇas’ serenity; soft landscape with temple spire in distance, delicate textiles, cool shadows; subtle allegory of greed as a pale mirage behind the donor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, expressive eyes; donor and brāhmaṇas in clear frontal composition; red/yellow/green palette, decorative borders; greed/delusion shown as a dark, curling motif dissipating near the frame.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: charity pavilion framed by intricate floral borders and lotuses; donor and brāhmaṇas centered, peacocks and cows nearby as auspicious witnesses; deep blues with gold highlights; subtle Viṣṇu symbols in the border to indicate dharma offered to Hari."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","tanpura drone","footsteps on stone","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथात्मनः = यथा + आत्मनः; सर्वान्दानं = सर्वान् + दानम्; ऐश्वर्यलोभान्मोहाद्वा = ऐश्वर्यलोभात् + मोहात् + वा; गच्छेद्यानेन = गच्छेत् + यानेन.
FAQs
It teaches impartial regard for all beings and encourages charitable giving, while warning that charity pursued for worldly gain (aiśvarya) or under delusion loses its spiritual integrity.
In Purāṇic dharma discourse, brāhmaṇas are often presented as custodians of Vedic learning and ritual; supporting them is framed as supporting sacred knowledge and dharmic continuity.
The verse cautions that if one follows religious practice primarily from greed for status/wealth or from delusion, the practice becomes misdirected and fails to fulfill its intended dharmic and spiritual aim.