Shloka 30
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
निंबस्य दशवृक्षाश्च फलं चैषां समं भवेत् । एकैकस्य फलं चोक्तं वृक्षाणां रोपणे द्विजाः
niṃbasya daśavṛkṣāśca phalaṃ caiṣāṃ samaṃ bhavet | ekaikasya phalaṃ coktaṃ vṛkṣāṇāṃ ropaṇe dvijāḥ
Sinasabing ang bunga ng pagtatanim ng sampung punong nimba (neem) ay magkakapantay ang kinalalabasan. O mga dalawang-ulit-na-ipinanganak, ang bunga ng pagtatanim ng mga puno ay ipinahayag para sa bawat puno nang hiwa-hiwalay.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses to attribute the dialogue)
Concept: Merit is proportionate and intelligible: each tree planted has a stated fruit; ten neem trees yield an equivalent aggregate merit.
Application: Plant neem as a community health tree; maintain it (watering, guarding, pruning) as part of daily dharma; keep a personal ‘seva-account’ not for pride but for consistency.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-sage gestures toward a row of ten neem saplings, explaining their equalized merit as disciples listen with palm-leaf notebooks. The neem leaves shimmer with a protective aura, and small offerings—water, rice, and incense—rest at the base of each plant, suggesting dharma as both practical and sacred.","primary_figures":["sage/ācārya","dvija disciples","ten neem saplings"],"setting":"gurukula courtyard beside a simple shrine; earthen pots, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a small water trough","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["neem green","palm-leaf tan","smoke gray","saffron","copper"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: an ācārya instructing dvijas before a symmetrical row of ten neem saplings, each base adorned with tiny lamps and flowers; gold leaf highlights on halos, lamps, and manuscript edges, rich reds/greens, ornate borders, South Indian devotional classroom ambiance.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet teaching scene under a neem canopy, delicate faces and gestures, cool greens and soft browns, lyrical naturalism with birds perched on branches, refined linework and floral margins.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized neem leaves in repeating patterns, bold outlines of guru and students, ritual vessels and lamps, earthy red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: neem saplings arranged like a garlanded offering field, ornate floral borders, peacocks near the grove, a small Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu shrine at center, deep indigo background with gold detailing and intricate leaf motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["leaf rustle","soft classroom murmurs","ink scratching on palm leaves","temple bell in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दशवृक्षाः = दश + वृक्षाः; चैषाम् = च + एषाम्; चोक्तम् = च + उक्तम्; रोपणे द्विजाः: पदच्छेदः रोपणे | द्विजाः (सम्बोधनार्थेऽपि)
FAQs
It praises vṛkṣa-ropaṇa (planting trees), specifically stating an equivalence of merit connected with planting neem trees.
It frames the instruction as a dharma teaching directed to the traditional audience of scriptural discourse; the ethical point (supporting life through planting trees) is broadly applicable.
Sustaining the world through nurturing nature—here, by planting trees—is treated as a meritorious, dharmic act with tangible spiritual ‘fruit’ (puṇya).