Talk:Reducing Bad Karm and Adding Good Karm:Augmenting Good Karm:Iṣhta and Pūrtta

By Vishal Agarwal

This is an ancient pair of Vedic ceremonial and secular/philanthropic acts. The following verses in the sacred literature define this pair of terms –

Ishta and Pūrtta – these two categories of duties should be pursued with great effort by brāhmaṇas. Through performance of Ishta one attains heaven, and through Pūrtta is attained mokṣa. Atri Saṁhitā 1.43

Agnihotra, austerities, steadfastness in truth, following the Vedas, taking care of atithis and performing the Vaiśvadeva daily sacrifice – these are counted as Ishtas. Atri Saṁhitā 1.44 (same as Likhita Smṛti 5)

Sponsoring the construction of potable water ponds, wells, lakes and other reservoirs of water, construction of temples, laying out of gardens, donating food – these are called Pūrtta. Atri Saṁhitā 1.45

The person who gets a new pond dug, or gets an old one repaired elevates his entire family to heaven and is revered there. Bṛhaspati Smṛti 62

He who revives or repairs an old pond, well, reservoir of water, garden or a wooded area gets the same merit as one who constructs a new one. Bṛhaspati Smṛti 63 (similar to Likhita Smṛti 4) He who has water to spare during the hot season never finds himself in a sorrowful or unfortunate situation. Bṛhaspati Smṛti 64