Shloka 120
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
असौ काशीं समासाद्य धेनुं दत्ते पयस्विनीम् । शक्रलोके वसेत्कल्पमिदं मंत्रव्रतं स्मृतम्
asau kāśīṃ samāsādya dhenuṃ datte payasvinīm | śakraloke vasetkalpamidaṃ maṃtravrataṃ smṛtam
وہ کاشی پہنچ کر دودھ سے بھرپور دودھ دینے والی گائے (دھینو) دان کرتا ہے؛ وہ شکر (اندَر) کے لوک میں ایک کلپ تک بستا ہے—یہ ‘منتر ورت’ کے طور پر یاد کیا گیا ہے۔
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the excerpt; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework of the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Pilgrimage to a supreme tirtha, combined with a specific dāna (milch-cow), yields exalted heavenly residence (Śakraloka) for vast time.
Application: When visiting sacred places, pair darśana with tangible charity (cow-care, food, education); keep a mantra-sankalpa so the act is intentional rather than touristic.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim arrives at Kāśī’s ghāṭs where the Gaṅgā flows in shimmering bands, temple spires rising behind. Before a small shrine, he offers a richly adorned milch-cow to a brāhmaṇa, while unseen devas shower subtle light, hinting at Śakra’s celestial realm as the promised fruit.","primary_figures":["pilgrim donor","brāhmaṇa recipient","milch-cow (payasvinī dhenu)","Indra (Śakra) as a faint celestial vision","Ganga personified (optional)"],"setting":"Kāśī ghāṭ on the Ganga with steps, boats, lamps, and distant temples; a dāna pavilion near the riverbank.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["river turquoise","sunrise gold","temple sandstone","marigold orange","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kāśī ghāṭ with stylized temples; donor presenting a gem-adorned milch-cow to a brāhmaṇa; gold-leaf river highlights and halos; Indra faintly above on Airāvata with ornate gold detailing; rich reds/greens, heavy ornamentation, sacred grandeur.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical Ganga ghāṭ scene with delicate architecture; soft atmospheric perspective, boats and lamps; donor and brāhmaṇa in refined poses; a subtle cloud-borne Indra vision in cool blues, gentle naturalism and fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of ghāṭ steps and temple towers; stylized cow with decorative cloth; Indra iconography simplified but regal; strong reds/yellows/greens with deep blue river band, mural symmetry and ritual clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Ganga rendered as patterned blue field with lotus motifs; ornate borders of marigolds and bells; narrative panel of go-dāna at Kāśī; celestial Indra motif above, intricate gold accents, devotional festivity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","ghāṭ bells","conch shell","boat oars","distant chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वसेत्कल्पम् → वसेत् कल्पम्; मंत्रव्रतं → मन्त्रव्रतम्; पदच्छेदः—असौ काशीम् समासाद्य धेनुम् दत्ते पयस्विनीम्
FAQs
It highlights Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) as a supremely meritorious sacred place where acts of charity (like go-dāna) are said to yield extraordinary results.
While not explicitly devotional in tone, it reflects Purāṇic religiosity where faith-filled, ritualized giving at a holy site—performed as a vrata—becomes a spiritually potent act aligned with dharma.
It elevates generosity and support of life-sustaining resources (a milch cow) as a key ethical act, teaching that sincere charity performed in a sacred context is believed to bring elevated spiritual reward.