Shloka 5
Glorification of the Yamunā (Yamuna Mahatmya) and Prayāga’s Step-by-Step Aśvamedha Merit
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । महाभागोसि धर्मज्ञ दानं वदसि मे प्रभो । अल्पेनैव प्रधानेन बहून्धर्मानवाप्नुयात्
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | mahābhāgosi dharmajña dānaṃ vadasi me prabho | alpenaiva pradhānena bahūndharmānavāpnuyāt
ยุธิษฐิระกล่าวว่า: “ข้าแต่ท่านผู้มีบุญยิ่ง ผู้รู้ธรรมะ โอ้พระผู้เป็นเจ้า ท่านกล่าวแก่ข้าพเจ้าถึงทาน โปรดบอกเถิดว่า ด้วยของเพียงน้อยแต่ถวายอย่างถูกต้อง จะบรรลุธรรมผลอันมากได้อย่างไร”
Yudhiṣṭhira
Concept: Alpa-dāna offered with correct priority (pradhāna—right recipient, right time, right intention) can generate many dharmas (multiple merits).
Application: Give consistently even if small; focus on appropriateness—support genuine spiritual practice, relieve suffering, and offer with humility rather than display.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yudhiṣṭhira leans forward with earnest humility, palms joined, as if weighing the ethics of giving in his heart. The sage before him sits steady, surrounded by simple ritual objects—water pot, kusa, a small lamp—suggesting that greatness lies not in quantity but in rightness of offering.","primary_figures":["Yudhiṣṭhira","Mārkaṇḍeya (implied teacher)"],"setting":"A quiet teaching grove near a pilgrimage route; a low altar with lamp and a cloth bundle of alms; distant silhouettes of pilgrims and mendicants.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["leaf green","earth brown","lamp amber","ivory","royal blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yudhiṣṭhira in regal attire yet humble posture offering a small pouch of coins/food; sage with halo blessing; gold leaf highlights on lamp flame and halos, rich red-green background, ornate arch border, emphasis on ‘small gift, great merit’.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate dialogue under trees with dappled light; delicate rendering of a tiny alms bundle as focal point; cool greens and soft browns, refined expressions conveying humility and discernment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, simplified grove setting; Yudhiṣṭhira’s añjali and the small alms bundle rendered as emblematic shapes; warm palette with strong yellows/reds, didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central vignette of offering; ornate floral border; symbolic lotus motifs around the small gift to indicate multiplied merit; deep blue and gold accents, devotional textile symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft bell","low drone","distant river hush (optional)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महाभागोसि = महाभागः + असि; अल्पेनैव = अल्पेन + एव; बहून्धर्मानवाप्नुयात् = बहून् + धर्मान् + अवाप्नुयात्
FAQs
He asks how a person can gain many kinds of dharmic merit through a small offering, provided it is given in the foremost or proper manner.
It implies that the effectiveness of charity depends not only on quantity but on what is “foremost”—right intention, right recipient, right time, and right method.
That sincere, well-directed giving—though materially small—can produce extensive spiritual and moral benefit.