Shloka 41
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
सोपि नाकं समारुह्य जन्मजन्मसु निर्वृतः । गोत्रमातृगणानां च नृपाणां सुहृदां तथा
sopi nākaṃ samāruhya janmajanmasu nirvṛtaḥ | gotramātṛgaṇānāṃ ca nṛpāṇāṃ suhṛdāṃ tathā
وہ بھی سُوَرگ پر چڑھ کر جنم جنم میں سیر و شادمان رہتا ہے—اپنے گوتر اور ماؤں کے گروہوں کے ساتھ، اور اسی طرح راجاؤں اور دوستوں کے ساتھ۔
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 57 narration/dialogue frame)
Concept: Merit (puṇya) yields uplift not only for the doer but also for connected kin and companions, producing repeated well-being across births.
Application: Perform dharmic acts with an inclusive intention—support family elders, dependents, and community; dedicate the fruit (phala-tyāga) for the welfare of all connected beings.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene ascent to Nāka: a luminous path of lotuses and cloud-steps rises toward a jeweled celestial gate. The central devotee is accompanied by subtle, translucent silhouettes of lineage-elders, maternal clan figures, friendly kings, and companions—suggesting shared merit—while devas look on with calm approval.","primary_figures":["a dharmic householder (puṇyavān)","ancestral figures (pitṛs)","maternal clan figures (mātṛ-gaṇa)","friendly kings (nṛpāḥ)","devas as witnesses"],"setting":"Celestial threshold of Svarga with lotus-cloud terraces, wish-fulfilling trees, and distant mandāra blossoms; a gentle sense of procession rather than triumph.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","pearl white","sapphire blue","gold leaf","mist silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a calm svarga-ascent scene with a central puṇyavān figure stepping onto lotus-cloud terraces, surrounded by faintly haloed ancestors and companions; ornate celestial archway with gold leaf embossing, rich vermilion and emerald borders, gem-studded ornaments on devas, stylized lotuses and kalpavṛkṣa trees, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical svarga landscape with soft cloud-banks and lotus pools; the devotee and accompanying kin rendered with delicate brushwork and refined faces; cool sapphire and pale rose palette, thin gold highlights, distant celestial pavilions and flowering trees, gentle procession mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and warm natural pigments; a radiant svarga gateway with lotus motifs; the central figure and accompanying ancestral silhouettes with large expressive eyes; red-ochre, yellow, green dominance with controlled gold accents, temple-wall aesthetic serenity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional svarga tableau framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; deep indigo background with gold detailing; the ascent path formed by lotuses; celestial attendants and peacocks near kalpavṛkṣas; emphasis on auspicious abundance and calm grace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","distant conch shell","gentle drone (tanpura)","subtle wind through trees","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सः + अपि → सोपि (अः + अ → ओ).
FAQs
It indicates that the fruit of merit can lead to heavenly attainment and ongoing well-being across successive births.
The verse includes one’s lineage and maternal line (gotra and mātṛ-gaṇa), and also mentions kings and friends/well-wishers as sharing in the auspicious outcome.
It implies a social ethic where one’s righteous conduct and spiritual merit are not viewed as purely individual, but as having ripple effects that support and uplift one’s wider community.