Padma Purana — Svarga Khanda, Shloka 27
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
यत्किंचिद्देवदेवेशं दद्याच्चोद्दिश्य केशवम् । प्रीयतामीश्वरो विष्णुर्हृषीकेशः सनातनः
yatkiṃciddevadeveśaṃ dadyāccoddiśya keśavam | prīyatāmīśvaro viṣṇurhṛṣīkeśaḥ sanātanaḥ
Hỡi Đấng Tối Thượng của chư thiên! Bất cứ ai dâng cúng điều gì, nếu dâng với tâm niệm Keśava—nguyện Đức Viṣṇu vĩnh cửu, Hṛṣīkeśa, hoan hỷ chứng giám.
Unspecified (narrative/benedictory verse; likely spoken by the primary narrator within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue frame)
Concept: Any act of giving becomes spiritually efficacious when offered with Keśava in mind; intention (bhāva) consecrates karma.
Application: Before charity or service, mentally dedicate it to Viṣṇu (Keśava-saṅkalpa), avoid egoic ownership, and treat the recipient as a locus for Hari’s satisfaction.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble donor stands before a small Viṣṇu shrine, palms cupped with flowers and a coin, eyes closed in Keśava-smṛti. Behind, the world’s ordinary bustle fades into a soft halo, suggesting that inner intention transforms mundane giving into sacred offering.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (Keśava/Hṛṣīkeśa)","a devotee-donor","optional: Lakshmi as auspicious presence"],"setting":"Temple threshold with a tulasi planter and a simple altar; a faint cosmic lotus motif in the background to hint at Padma Purāṇa’s lotus cosmology.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","emerald green","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu as Keśava seated on a lotus throne with conch and discus, heavy gold leaf halo and arch, gem-studded ornaments; a devotee at the lower corner offering a small gift with folded hands, tulasi pot beside, rich crimson and emerald drapery, ornate temple pillars, high-relief gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a serene Vishnu shrine in a courtyard, delicate linework and refined faces; the devotee offers flowers and alms while mentally remembering Keśava, soft pastel sky, lyrical trees, subtle lotus motifs, cool blues and greens with gentle pink accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Vishnu with large expressive eyes and stylized ornaments, lamp-lit sanctum with tulasi plant; devotee in simple attire offering dāna, warm red-yellow-green palette, temple wall texture and rhythmic floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Vishnu emblematic presence framed by lotus borders and tulasi vines; devotee offering at the bottom, intricate floral filigree, deep indigo background with gold highlights, peacocks and lotuses as auspicious fillers, Nathdwara-like ornamental symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","lamp crackle","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्किंचित् = यत् + किंचित्; दद्याच्चोद्दिश्य = दद्याच् + च + उद्दिश्य; प्रीयतामीश्वरो = प्रीयताम् + ईश्वरः; विष्णुर्हृषीकेशः = विष्णुः + हृषीकेशः
FAQs
It teaches that the spiritual efficacy of giving is heightened when the gift is consciously dedicated to Keśava (Viṣṇu), emphasizing intention (saṅkalpa/uddiśya) alongside the act.
By directing the giver to remember and dedicate the act to Viṣṇu (Keśava/Hṛṣīkeśa), it frames charity as devotional service rather than a merely social or ritual transaction.
Even small or ordinary gifts become meaningful when offered with sincere devotion and right intention—encouraging generosity accessible to all, not only the wealthy.