Shloka 23
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
निर्द्दिश्य धर्मराजाय विप्रेभ्यो मुच्यते भयात् । सुवर्णतिलयुक्तैस्तु ब्राह्मणान्सप्त पंच वा
nirddiśya dharmarājāya viprebhyo mucyate bhayāt | suvarṇatilayuktaistu brāhmaṇānsapta paṃca vā
اس نذر کو دھرم راج کے نام منسوب کر کے عالم برہمنوں کو دیا جائے تو آدمی خوف سے آزاد ہو جاتا ہے۔ سونے سے آمیختہ تلوں کے ساتھ سات برہمنوں کو—یا کم از کم پانچ کو—یہ دان دے۔
Unspecified (narrative instruction within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue context)
Concept: Consecrating charity to Dharma-rāja and giving to qualified brāhmaṇas removes fear—implying fear arises from adharma and is pacified by restitution and right giving.
Application: When making amends, add intentionality: dedicate the act to dharma (truth, justice), give to trustworthy recipients, and keep a clear count/commitment (seven or five) to avoid half-heartedness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual courtyard where a donor, hands joined, mentally dedicates a golden-sesame offering to Dharma-rāja while learned brāhmaṇas sit in a semicircle awaiting the gift. In a subtle, translucent overlay, Dharma-rāja appears as a distant celestial judge—calm, impartial—signifying that fear dissolves when one restores balance through dharma.","primary_figures":["donor (yajamāna)","seven (or five) brāhmaṇas","Dharma-rāja (Yama, as a visionary presence)"],"setting":"Ritual mandapa with fire altar, sesame and gold flakes in a bowl, palm-leaf texts, kusa grass, and a distant suggestion of a celestial court.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky amber","sesame black","gold leaf","ivory white","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: donor offering a bowl of tila mixed with gold to seven brāhmaṇas, with a radiant yet restrained Dharma-rāja in the upper register, gold leaf halos and ornate arch, rich maroons and greens, embossed jewelry, detailed fire altar with shimmering highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate mandapa scene with five to seven brāhmaṇas in white, delicate rendering of sesame grains and gold flecks, a faint celestial vignette of Dharma-rāja above, cool shadows, refined linework, patterned rugs and textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ritual scene with bold outlines, donor in white, brāhmaṇas seated symmetrically, Dharma-rāja depicted in the top band with characteristic eyes and crown, warm ochres and reds, simplified yet iconic fire altar.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of sesame-flower motifs, central offering scene with symmetrical brāhmaṇa group, gold detailing on the offering bowl, a small celestial medallion of Dharma-rāja above, deep blue background accents and intricate floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","low mantra hum","temple bells","conch shell (distant)","ritual spoon clink"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: suvarṇatilayuktaistu = suvarṇa-tila-yuktaiḥ + tu. brāhmaṇānsapta = brāhmaṇān + sapta.
FAQs
It recommends dedicating an offering to Dharma-rāja (Yama) and giving it to learned brāhmaṇas, specifically involving sesame combined with gold, to be given to seven or at least five brāhmaṇas.
The verse states that one becomes freed from fear (bhaya) by performing this dedication and charitable giving.
It emphasizes dāna (charitable giving) performed with proper intention and ritual dedication as a means of cultivating dharma and alleviating fear and insecurity.