Shloka 49
Praise of the Merits of Sacred Ponds, Tree-Planting, and Water-Charities
आसनं चैव तांबूलं दत्वा स्वर्गान्न हीयते । एवं वर्षत्रयेणैव पुष्करिण्याः फलं लभेत्
āsanaṃ caiva tāṃbūlaṃ datvā svargānna hīyate | evaṃ varṣatrayeṇaiva puṣkariṇyāḥ phalaṃ labhet
Dâng cúng chỗ ngồi và cả trầu cau thì không bị rơi khỏi cõi trời. Như vậy, chỉ trong ba năm đã đạt trọn quả phúc của puṣkariṇī, tức hồ nước thiêng.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 58 framing dialogue).
Concept: Hospitality and small, culturally complete gifts offered in a sacred setting preserve heavenly merit and rapidly mature spiritual fruit.
Application: Practice daily satkāra: offer a seat, water, and respectful welcome to guests; support local temple tanks/ponds and pilgrim facilities consistently for a set period.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the stone steps of a lotus-filled temple pond, a householder offers a carved wooden seat and a small tray of tāmbūla to a weary pilgrim. The pond reflects a nearby shrine and swaying banyan branches, suggesting that simple courtesies become luminous offerings in a tīrtha’s presence.","primary_figures":["pious householder (dātā)","pilgrim/guest (atithi)","temple priest (optional)"],"setting":"Ancient puṣkariṇī with ghāṭa steps, lotus blooms, small Viṣṇu shrine and hanging bells, pilgrims resting under a tree.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","sandalwood beige","sapphire blue","leaf green","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene temple tank (puṣkariṇī) with stepped ghāṭa; the donor offers an ornate āsana and a tāmbūla tray to a pilgrim; a small Viṣṇu shrine in the background with gold-leaf haloed iconography, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, intricate floral borders, and shimmering gold highlights on the water and temple lamps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene at a lotus pond with soft ripples; refined figures exchanging āsana and tāmbūla; cool blues and greens, lyrical trees and distant temple spire, fine linework on garments, gentle facial expressions, and a calm devotional atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; temple tank with stylized lotus clusters; donor and pilgrim in traditional attire; warm red-yellow-green palette, lamp-lit shrine details, large expressive eyes, and rhythmic decorative patterns along the ghāṭa.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a sacred pond framed by ornate floral borders and lotus motifs; pilgrims welcomed with āsana and tāmbūla as an offering to Viṣṇu’s presence; deep indigo water, gold detailing, peacocks near the steps, and a small central shrine suggesting the tīrtha’s sanctity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch in distance","rippling water","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca eva; svargānna = svargāt na.
FAQs
The verse praises simple acts of dāna (charitable giving)—specifically offering a seat (āsana) and betel (tāmbūla)—as producing lasting spiritual merit.
It treats a puṣkariṇī as a tīrtha-associated source of religious merit, stating that its “fruit” can be attained within a defined period—here, three years—through prescribed merit-making conduct.
Small, accessible gifts given with respect and hospitality can carry significant spiritual value, emphasizing generosity and honoring guests/recipients as a path to auspicious results.