Shloka 43
Praise of Digging Wells and Building Water-Reservoirs
The Merit of Water-Works
खातं तु जनयित्वा तु स्वर्गं चाक्षयमश्नुते । तस्मात्खातादिकं विप्राः शक्तितो यः करिष्यति
khātaṃ tu janayitvā tu svargaṃ cākṣayamaśnute | tasmātkhātādikaṃ viprāḥ śaktito yaḥ kariṣyati
جو شخص کنواں یا تالاب بنوا دے، وہ اَکشَی سُوَرگ کو پاتا ہے۔ اس لیے، اے وِپر (برہمنو)، جو کوئی اپنی استطاعت کے مطابق کھدائی وغیرہ کے کام کرے گا…
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher voice within Adhyaya 57)
Concept: Commissioning a water-reservoir grants imperishable heaven; therefore each person should undertake such works according to capacity (śakti).
Application: Do scalable service: sponsor a community water filter, repair a handpump, fund a small tank, or support watershed projects—consistent, capacity-based dharma.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A newly completed stepwell gleams with fresh stone steps descending into cool blue water, garlanded with marigolds. Brāhmaṇas bless the patron as villagers draw water—each bucket lifted becomes a visible thread of merit rising toward a faint celestial horizon.","primary_figures":["patron (dānapati)","brāhmaṇas offering blessings","villagers drawing water","craftsmen/stonemasons"],"setting":"Stone stepwell or tank with carved pillars, small Viṣṇu emblem on a shrine slab, earthen lamps along the steps, banyan shade nearby.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["stone gray","deep water blue","marigold orange","lamp gold","banyan green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: ornate stepwell scene with gold-leaf highlights on lamps and jewelry; central patron receiving brāhmaṇa blessings; symmetrical carved pillars; rich vermilion and emerald borders; embossed gold on garlands and shrine motifs (śaṅkha-cakra).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant stepwell architecture with delicate linework; villagers in flowing garments drawing water; soft evening light; cool blues and muted greens with fine gold accents; tranquil, refined faces and gentle narrative movement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of stepwell steps and pillars; warm pigment blocks; prominent blessing gesture (āśīrvāda) by brāhmaṇas; stylized lamps and garlands; devotional clarity with red/yellow/green dominance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: stepwell framed by lotus and floral borders; repeated motifs of water pots; peacocks and cows at the periphery; deep indigo and gold detailing; celebratory yet serene depiction of communal water blessing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["stone chisel taps","water echo in stepwell","soft chanting of blessings","lamp crackle","conch in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाक्षयमश्नुते = च + अक्षयम् + अश्नुते; तस्मात्खातादिकम् = तस्मात् + खातादिकम्.
FAQs
The verse praises commissioning or creating public water resources—such as wells or tanks—as a highly meritorious act.
It states that one attains “akṣaya svarga,” an imperishable or enduring heaven, by having such a reservoir made.
It emphasizes capacity-based charity and service: one should perform beneficial works like digging wells “according to one’s ability,” making welfare accessible to all levels of means.