Shloka 184
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
यत्प्रदानान्नरो याति सोमलोकं नरोत्तम । दशभिः पलसाहस्रैरुत्तमो रजताचलः
yatpradānānnaro yāti somalokaṃ narottama | daśabhiḥ palasāhasrairuttamo rajatācalaḥ
Hỡi bậc tối thượng trong loài người, nhờ bố thí lễ vật ấy, người ta được đến cõi Soma. “Núi Bạc” tối thượng (đại thí bạc) được tính ngang bằng mười nghìn pala.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 21; verse addresses a listener as ‘narottama’)
Concept: Specific, measurable generosity (rajatācala quantified by palas) yields correspondingly specific celestial results; dharma operates with ritual exactness.
Application: Be intentional and consistent in giving; set a concrete portion of resources for charity/service, and perform it with clarity rather than vague intention.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous moon-palace floats above silver clouds: Soma-loka, cool and resplendent, with Soma seated amid white lotuses and pearl-like radiance. Below, a donor offers a massive silver mountain effigy—carefully measured—while celestial scribes record ‘ten thousand palas,’ and a silver path rises upward like moonlight made solid.","primary_figures":["Soma (Chandra)","donor devotee","celestial scribes (citragupta-like)","attendant devas"],"setting":"Ritual courtyard transitioning into a moonlit celestial realm; silver mountain effigy on an altar; above, Soma’s palace with lotus ponds.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver","pearl white","cool blue","lavender","pale gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: moonlit Soma-loka with Soma enthroned, haloed in gold leaf; below, a grand silver mountain donation on a richly decorated altar, attendants holding measuring weights; heavy gold leaf on crowns and borders, rich jewel accents contrasting the dominant silver-white theme.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene moon palace in a cool night sky; Soma with gentle expression, white lotuses and soft clouds; donors and priests below with a gleaming silver mountain model; delicate brushwork, cool palette, refined ornamentation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Soma depicted with iconic large eyes, seated on a lotus under a crescent emblem; silver mountain donation scene below with stylized weights; bold outlines, natural pigments emphasizing whites, blues, and pale gold.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: expansive lotus field under a full moon; Soma centered, surrounded by intricate floral borders; the silver mountain offering rendered as a decorative mound with patterned highlights; deep indigo background with silver and gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bells","night insects","gentle conch","flowing water (lotus pond)","tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्प्रदानान्नरो = यत् प्रदानात् नरः; सोमलोकं = सोम-लोकम्; नरोत्तम = नर-उत्तम; पलसाहस्रैः = पल-साहस्रैः; रजताचलः = रजत-अचलः
FAQs
Somaloka is the celestial realm associated with Soma (the Moon deity). The verse presents it as a meritorious destination attained through specific acts of charity.
It denotes an exceptionally large donation of silver—metaphorically a ‘mountain’—quantified here as ten thousand palas (a traditional weight measure).
It underscores the Purāṇic principle that generous giving (dāna), especially substantial and sincere charity, is a powerful means to accrue merit and attain auspicious posthumous realms.