Shloka 73
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
स्थित्यर्थादधिकं गृह्णन्ब्राह्मणो यात्यधोगतिम् । यस्तु याति न संतोषं न स स्वर्गस्य भाजनम्
sthityarthādadhikaṃ gṛhṇanbrāhmaṇo yātyadhogatim | yastu yāti na saṃtoṣaṃ na sa svargasya bhājanam
جو برہمن محض گزر بسر کی ضرورت سے زیادہ لے لیتا ہے وہ پستی کی حالت میں گرتا ہے۔ اور جو قناعت حاصل نہیں کرتا وہ جنت کا مستحق نہیں۔
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Taking beyond maintenance (sthity-artha) causes spiritual descent; contentment is the qualification for svarga.
Application: Adopt ‘maintenance-only’ ethics: budget for needs, cap wants, and redirect surplus to dāna/sevā; cultivate gratitude practices to stabilize santoṣa.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scale balances a small bowl labeled ‘sthiti’ against a heap of surplus grain and coins; as the heap grows heavier, the brāhmaṇa’s shadow elongates downward into a dark chasm marked ‘adhogati’. Above, a faint celestial gate glows but remains closed, opening only toward the figure who stands with empty hands and a peaceful face of santoṣa.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa (two contrasted depictions: grasping vs content)","personified Svarga gate (celestial threshold)"],"setting":"Symbolic moral landscape: a courtyard blending into a cosmic horizon with a luminous gate above and a shadowy descent below.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with stark chiaroscuro","color_palette":["celestial white","lapis blue","burnt umber","antique gold","charcoal black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: allegorical composition with a radiant svarga-dvāra at top, gold leaf brilliance; below, a brāhmaṇa holding surplus coins tipping a golden scale, with a dark downward path; rich reds and greens, ornate arch motifs, embossed gold for the gate and scale, didactic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: two vignettes in one frame—left: content brāhmaṇa with simple bowl; right: brāhmaṇa clutching surplus; a delicate celestial gate in the sky; soft gradients and fine linework, cool blues for heaven and earthy browns for descent.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; svarga gate as stylized lotus-arch; brāhmaṇa figures with expressive eyes; the ‘downward’ realm as patterned dark band; strong red/yellow/green palette with black contours emphasizing moral contrast.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus-gate motif representing svarga; surrounding border of lotuses and vines; two brāhmaṇa figures mirrored; surplus depicted as repeating coin/grain motifs; deep blue background with gold highlights, devotional-allegorical tone."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell (soft)","temple bells","low mridangam pulse","brief resonant pause"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थित्यर्थादधिकं = स्थित्यर्थात् अधिकम्; गृह्णन्ब्राह्मणो = गृह्णन् ब्राह्मणः; यात्यधोगतिम् = याति अधोगतिम्; यस्तु = यः तु.
FAQs
It teaches restraint and non-greed: taking beyond one’s basic maintenance, especially for those expected to embody dharma, leads to spiritual decline; contentment (saṃtoṣa) is presented as essential virtue.
Because svarga is framed not merely as a reward for acquisition but as a result of inner discipline; without saṃtoṣa, desire remains unchecked, undermining merit and the capacity to enjoy or deserve higher states.
By limiting accumulation to genuine needs, practicing moderation in receiving gifts/wealth, and cultivating gratitude and satisfaction—virtues that support ethical living and spiritual progress.