Shloka 18
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
सपुत्रं चाक्षयं विद्धि धनवृद्धियशस्करम् । विजयं मानदं भद्रमश्वत्थस्य प्रपूजनम्
saputraṃ cākṣayaṃ viddhi dhanavṛddhiyaśaskaram | vijayaṃ mānadaṃ bhadramaśvatthasya prapūjanam
Alamin na ang pagsamba sa aśvattha (banal na igos) ay nagbibigay ng mga anak at di-nauubos na kabutihang-gawa; nagpapalago ng yaman at dangal, nagkakaloob ng tagumpay, nagbibigay ng karangalan, at nagbubunga ng kagalingan.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Auspicious worship integrates worldly welfare (artha, yaśas, vijaya) with enduring merit (akṣaya puṇya), presenting dharma as both practical and transcendent.
Application: Treat success as consecrated: begin important undertakings with a brief prayer/offerings at a sacred symbol; pursue victory ethically, and convert gains into charity and service to stabilize ‘akṣaya’ merit.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A family stands before the aśvattha with offerings: the father lights a lamp, the mother places flowers, and a child touches the roots. Above them, symbolic blessings appear—lotus coins of Śrī, a victory banner, and a radiant ‘akṣaya’ glow—suggesting that dharmic worship supports both household joy and lasting merit.","primary_figures":["aśvattha tree","householder family","Śrī Lakṣmī (symbolic presence)"],"setting":"community shrine under the pipal with a small platform, garlands, and a banner fluttering; nearby a village street or temple entrance","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["turmeric yellow","vermillion red","leaf green","sky blue","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: family worship scene at the aśvattha with gold-leaf symbols of akṣaya puṇya (radiant disc), Lakṣmī lotus motifs, and a victory banner; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, embossed halos and decorative arch framing the tree as a deity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle domestic devotion under a pipal near a village lane, soft dawn light, delicate textiles, subtle symbolic motifs (banner, lotus coins) floating like poetic emblems; refined faces and calm prosperity mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition—tree centered, family on either side offering lamp and flowers; Lakṣmī emblematic presence above; bold outlines, warm pigment palette, temple-wall dignity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: pipal centered with ornate floral borders, repeated lotus and banner motifs, family figures small and stylized; deep blue background with gold highlights, peacocks and cows as auspicious companions, intricate garlands around the trunk."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","community murmured prayers","rustling leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाक्षयं = च + अक्षयम्; भद्रमश्वत्थस्य = भद्रम् + अश्वत्थस्य (m before vowel); compound dhana-vṛddhi-yaśas-karam analyzed as tatpuruṣa chain.
FAQs
It praises the prapūjana (devout veneration) of the aśvattha (sacred fig) tree, presenting it as a dharmic act with auspicious results.
It lists offspring, imperishable merit, increase of wealth, acquisition of fame, victory, honor, and general well-being (bhadra).
The verse frames reverent worship and care of sacred symbols (like the aśvattha) as a dharmic discipline that cultivates auspiciousness, social honor, and stability in life.