Shloka 16
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
चलद्दलाय वृक्षाय सदा विष्णुस्थिताय च । बोधिसत्वाय योग्याय सदाश्वत्थ नमोस्तु ते
caladdalāya vṛkṣāya sadā viṣṇusthitāya ca | bodhisatvāya yogyāya sadāśvattha namostu te
اے لرزتے پتّوں والے درخت! اے وہ جو ہمیشہ وِشنو کا مسکن ہے! بیدار سالک کے لیے موزوں اور قابلِ تعظیم، اے ابدی اشوتھ، تجھے نمسکار ہے۔
Unspecified (a devotional invocation/praise within the narrative context)
Concept: The trembling leaves become a contemplative sign: the living world quivers, yet Viṣṇu’s presence is steady; the seeker ‘fit for awakening’ approaches the sacred with yogic reverence.
Application: Use nature as a meditation anchor: sit near a pipal, watch the moving leaves, and remember the unmoving divine witness; let that remembrance guide restraint, compassion, and steadiness in daily choices.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A towering aśvattha stands in a quiet grove; its leaves tremble like countless small cymbals in the wind. Within the canopy, a subtle blue radiance suggests Viṣṇu’s abiding presence, while a contemplative seeker sits at the roots, eyes half-closed, as if the tree itself were teaching awakening through motion and stillness.","primary_figures":["aśvattha tree","Viṣṇu (subtle indwelling radiance)","meditating seeker (yogin)"],"setting":"forest grove with exposed roots, scattered fallen leaves, a small earthen lamp and water pot near the base","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","forest green","smoke gray","sandstone beige","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: aśvattha rendered as a sanctum-tree with gold-leaf aura in the foliage, a faint Viṣṇu form suggested in blue within the canopy, yogin seated at the roots; ornate gold borders, embossed leaf patterns, jewel-like highlights on lamp and ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: airy grove with delicate trembling leaves, subtle blue glow in the canopy, meditating ascetic at the roots; cool greens and grays, refined linework, gentle wind implied through leaf angles and drifting petals.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized aśvattha with rhythmic leaf clusters, Viṣṇu’s presence indicated by a blue mandala within the canopy, yogin in profile; bold outlines, earthy pigments, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central pipal with patterned leaves like repeating motifs, a hidden Viṣṇu emblem in the canopy, lotus and vine borders; deep indigo background, gold highlights, peacocks and floral filigree framing the meditative theme."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["wind through leaves","single temple bell at intervals","distant cuckoo call","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चलद्दलाय = चलत् + दलाय (karmadhāraya); विष्णुस्थिताय = विष्णु + स्थिताय (tatpuruṣa); सदाश्वत्थ = सदा + अश्वत्थ (vocative karmadhāraya); नमोस्तु = नमः + अस्तु.
FAQs
The verse praises the Aśvattha (sacred fig) tree, describing it as ever sacred, with trembling leaves, and as a perpetual abode of Viṣṇu.
It models devotion through direct salutation (namo ’stu te), treating a sacred symbol (the Aśvattha) as a living locus of divine presence (Viṣṇu-sthitā).
Reverence toward sacred life—especially places or beings associated with the divine—cultivates humility, mindfulness, and a devotional orientation in daily conduct.