Shloka 26
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
ददाति वित्तं पुत्रांश्च स्वर्गं मोक्षं पुनः क्रमात् । किंचिच्छेदं तु यः कुर्यादश्वत्थस्य तनौ नरः
dadāti vittaṃ putrāṃśca svargaṃ mokṣaṃ punaḥ kramāt | kiṃcicchedaṃ tu yaḥ kuryādaśvatthasya tanau naraḥ
Cây ấy ban cho của cải, con trai, cõi trời, rồi tiếp đến là giải thoát (mokṣa) theo thứ tự. Nhưng người nào dám rạch dù chỉ một vết nhỏ lên thân (thân cây) của cây aśvattha (peepal)…
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Adhyaya 58 context)
Concept: Service to the sacred aśvattha yields a graded fruit: artha (wealth), putra (progeny), svarga, and ultimately mokṣa—showing a ladder from worldly welfare to liberation.
Application: Begin where you are: offer simple devotion and ethical care even if motivated by needs; refine intention over time toward selfless worship and inner freedom.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: earthly
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee circumambulates a grand aśvattha, offering water and a lamp; above the canopy, symbolic visions appear in sequence—coins and grain for prosperity, a child in the arms for progeny, a luminous svarga pavilion, and finally a serene lotus of liberation. The tree stands as the axis connecting earth’s needs to the sky’s promise and the silence beyond.","primary_figures":["devotee","aśvattha as sacred embodiment","symbolic personifications of prosperity/progeny/svarga/mokṣa"],"setting":"Sacred tree on a raised platform with offerings; subtle celestial overlay in the sky.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["antique gold","emerald green","sky blue","lotus white","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Central aśvattha with embossed gold leaf on haloed canopy; devotee offering lamp and water; four symbolic vignettes in the upper register—wealth (gold coins), son (child), svarga (celestial palace), mokṣa (white lotus and radiant void); rich reds/greens, ornate borders, jewel-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Narrative sequence in a single frame—devotee circling the tree while airy cloud-bands show gentle symbolic scenes of prosperity, child, heaven, and a calm lotus of release; cool blues and greens, delicate linework, poetic atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Iconic tree with stylized leaf clusters; four medallions around it depicting the fruits; bold outlines, natural pigments, symmetrical temple-wall composition, strong reds/yellows/greens with blue accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Aśvattha as central mandala with floral borders; four corner panels showing artha/putra/svarga/mokṣa symbols; peacocks and lotus motifs, deep indigo ground, gold highlights, intricate patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","rustling leaves","soft drone (tanpura)","distant chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुत्रान् + च → पुत्रांश्च; किंचित् + छेदम् → किंचिच्छेदम् (त् + छ → च्छ); कुर्यात् + अश्वत्थस्य → कुर्यादश्वत्थस्य (त् + अ → द् + अ)।
FAQs
It praises the aśvattha as a powerful source of merit—granting worldly prosperity and ultimately liberation—while warning against harming it, even slightly.
Purāṇas often treat certain trees as embodiments of divine presence and as living sacred sites; hence protecting them is framed as dharma and harming them as a serious fault.
Reverence for sacred life and restraint from needless harm: protect venerable natural beings (like sacred trees) and avoid actions that damage what is held holy by tradition.