Shloka 20
The Supremacy of Food-Charity and the Rāma–Śambūka Episode
Child Revived through Rājadharma
कुशोत्तरेषु चासीनाः समंतान्मुनिपुंगवाः । पाद्यमाचमनीयं च ददौ चार्घ्यं पुरोहितः
kuśottareṣu cāsīnāḥ samaṃtānmunipuṃgavāḥ | pādyamācamanīyaṃ ca dadau cārghyaṃ purohitaḥ
کُش گھاس سے آراستہ نشستوں پر چاروں طرف بیٹھے ہوئے وہ برگزیدہ رشی تھے؛ تب پُروہت نے پادْیَ (پاؤں دھونے کا جل)، آچمنیہ (پینے کا جل) اور اَرجھْیَ نذر کر کے ان کی تکریم کی۔
Narrator (contextual description within the Purāṇic narration; specific dialogue speaker not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Honoring the wise through prescribed hospitality (atithi-satkāra) sustains dharma and invites auspiciousness.
Application: Receive guests with attentiveness—offer water, a seat, and respectful words; cultivate cleanliness and humility before knowledge and virtue.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest āśrama clearing arranged for a solemn reception: foremost sages sit in a circle on fresh kuśa mats while a dignified purohita approaches with a shining water-vessel, offering pādya, ācamanīya, and arghya in sequence. The air feels still and sanctified, with sacrificial implements and a small altar nearby, suggesting the quiet authority of Vedic order.","primary_figures":["purohita (priest)","munipuṅgavas (foremost sages)"],"setting":"Forest hermitage courtyard with kuśa mats, a small yajña-vedi, water pot (kalaśa), ladles, and palm-leaf manuscripts; deer and birds at the edge of the clearing.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","smoke gray","copper bronze","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene āśrama reception scene with sages seated on kuśa mats in a circular composition, the purohita offering arghya from a gem-studded golden vessel; gold leaf embellishment on vessels and ornaments, rich reds and greens in textiles, traditional South Indian iconographic clarity, delicate floral borders and temple-lamp warmth.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet hermitage clearing with delicate brushwork, cool greens and soft browns, sages with refined facial features seated on kuśa, the priest holding a copper lota; lyrical naturalism with small birds, a streamlet hinted in the background, and gentle atmospheric perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigment palette, sages in ochre and white garments seated on stylized kuśa, the priest offering arghya with a prominent kalaśa; temple-wall aesthetic, characteristic large eyes, red-yellow-green dominance with rhythmic ornamental foliage.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional hospitality tableau framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; sages seated symmetrically, ritual vessels highlighted in gold, peacocks and cows at the margins, deep indigo background accents with ornate patterns, Nathdwara-inspired textile richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","forest birds","gentle water pouring","ritual silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुशोत्तरेषु = कुश-उत्तरेषु. चासीनाः = च आसीनाः. समंतान् → समन्तात् (अव्यय). मुनिपुंगवाः = मुनि-पुंगवाः. पाद्यमाचमनीयं = पाद्यम् आचमनीयम्. चार्घ्यं = च अर्घ्यम्.
FAQs
It depicts the standard honor shown to revered guests—especially sages—through pādya (foot-washing water), ācamanīya (sipping water), and arghya (a formal respectful offering), administered by a priest.
Kuśa grass is traditionally considered ritually purifying and is used in Vedic and Purāṇic ceremonies; seating guests on kuśa indicates sanctity, discipline, and proper ceremonial protocol.
It emphasizes reverence, humility, and proper conduct toward the learned and holy—honoring guests with care and ritual respect as a mark of dharma.