Shloka 28
The Glory of Charity: Land-Gifts, Śālagrāma Donation, and Food–Water as Supreme Gifts
फलदाता नरो गच्छेत्त्रिदिवं च द्विजोत्तम । भुंक्ते कल्पसहस्राणि फलं तत्रामृतोपमम्
phaladātā naro gacchettridivaṃ ca dvijottama | bhuṃkte kalpasahasrāṇi phalaṃ tatrāmṛtopamam
اے بہترین دِوِج! جو شخص پھل دان کرتا ہے وہ تریدِو (سورگ) کو جاتا ہے اور وہاں ہزاروں کلپوں تک امرت کے مانند اجر سے بہرہ مند ہوتا ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa; addressing a dvijottama)
Concept: Even simple gifts like fruit, when given with purity, yield vast puṇya and celestial enjoyment.
Application: Make small, consistent acts of giving—food, fruit, nourishment—especially to guests, the needy, and sacred persons; prioritize purity and intention over grandeur.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble donor offers a basket of ripe fruits to a serene dvija or temple attendant, while a translucent vision of Svarga appears above—celestial gardens, wish-fulfilling trees, and nectar-like radiance. The scene emphasizes that ordinary generosity opens extraordinary horizons.","primary_figures":["a householder donor","a dvija recipient/temple attendant","celestial devas (faint, visionary)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or āśrama threshold with a fruiting tree nearby; a sky-vision of Svarga layered above.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["mango yellow","leaf green","lotus pink","sapphire blue","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: donor presenting a fruit basket before a calm recipient, gold-leaf halos and ornate arch, fruits rendered jewel-like, upper register showing Svarga with kalpavṛkṣa and devas in miniature, rich reds/greens and embossed gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate fruit textures, soft naturalism, a dreamy cloud-window revealing Svarga gardens, cool blues and fresh greens with warm fruit tones, refined linework and gentle expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized fruit offerings and hand gestures, warm yellow-red background, a circular celestial vignette above with simplified devas and a kalpavṛkṣa, temple-wall symmetry and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central offering of fruits framed by lotus and creeper borders, peacocks near a fruiting tree, upper band with celestial garden motifs, deep blue ground with gold highlights and intricate floral detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft mridangam pulse","birds in a garden","gentle breeze"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गच्छेत्त्रिदिवं = गच्छेत् + त्रिदिवम् (त् + त् → त्त्); तत्रामृतोपमम् = तत्र + अमृतोपमम् (स्वरसन्धि)
FAQs
It teaches the religious merit (puṇya) of dāna: even a simple gift like fruit is said to lead to heavenly attainment and long enjoyment of its results.
Tridiva literally means “three heavens,” a common Purāṇic term for the celestial realm of the devas—i.e., heaven as the destination earned by meritorious acts.
Generosity in everyday life: offering nourishing, accessible items to others is portrayed as a powerful virtuous act with far-reaching spiritual consequences.