Shloka 17
Aśokasundarī and Huṇḍa: Chastity, Karma, and the Foretold Rise of Nahuṣa
जिष्णुर्जिष्णुसमो वीर्ये तेजसा पावकोपमः । सर्वज्ञः सत्यसंधश्च त्यागे वैश्रवणोपमः
jiṣṇurjiṣṇusamo vīrye tejasā pāvakopamaḥ | sarvajñaḥ satyasaṃdhaśca tyāge vaiśravaṇopamaḥ
هو الظافر؛ وفي البأس يساوي جِشنو (إندرا). وفي البهاء يشبه النار. عليمٌ بكل شيء، ثابتٌ على الحق، وفي السخاء يُضاهِي فَيْشْرَفَنَة (كوبيرا).
Unspecified (descriptive eulogy within the narrative context of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, Adhyaya 103)
Concept: The ideal king unites valor, splendor, truthfulness, and generosity—virtues that stabilize society as a sacred trust.
Application: Cultivate truth-keeping and generosity alongside competence; let power be tempered by integrity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A youthful king stands on a palace terrace, bow lowered in peace yet radiating command; behind him, a stylized aura of fire suggests pāvaka-like splendor. Above, faint celestial silhouettes of Indra and Kubera appear as symbolic comparators, while courtiers and citizens look up in trust.","primary_figures":["ideal king (praised hero)","symbolic Indra (Jiṣṇu) apparition","symbolic Kubera (Vaiśravaṇa) apparition","citizens and courtiers"],"setting":"palace terrace overlooking a city square with banners and a distant sacrificial pavilion","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["saffron gold","vermillion red","smoky amber","royal blue","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central heroic king with broad jeweled crown and gold leaf halo; flames rendered as stylized aureole; small upper-corner vignettes of Indra on Airāvata and Kubera with treasure pot; rich reds/greens, embossed gold ornaments, symmetrical composition, ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined king with delicate facial features, a soft flame-like aura; pale sky with tiny Indra and Kubera motifs; cool blues and warm ochres, detailed textiles, lyrical cityscape, gentle realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, king in frontal stance with large expressive eyes; flame aura in layered reds/yellows; Indra and Kubera as iconographic side panels; temple-wall palette, rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: the king centered within a floral mandala; border of lotuses and auspicious motifs; symbolic elephants (Indra) and treasure pots (Kubera) in corners; deep blue ground with gold and red detailing, intricate patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","mridanga strokes","temple bells","crowd murmur fading into silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जिष्णुर्जिष्णुसमो = जिष्णुः + जिष्णु-समः; सत्यसंधश्च = सत्य-संधः + च; पावकोपमः = पावक-उपमः; वैश्रवणोपमः = वैश्रवण-उपमः.
FAQs
Because Jiṣṇu is a common epithet of Indra as the archetypal victorious warrior; the verse uses Indra as the benchmark for heroic prowess (vīrya).
It suggests a radiance that is purifying and formidable—tejas as moral and spiritual power, not merely physical brightness.
Kubera symbolizes wealth and stewardship; the comparison teaches that true greatness includes liberality and responsible giving (tyāga), not only strength and knowledge.