Shloka 112
The Birth of King Pṛthu: Vena’s Fall, the Sages’ Churning, and Earth’s Surrender
ततः प्रजा विनश्येयुर्मम नाशे समागते । कथं धारयिता चासि प्रजा राजन्मया विना
tataḥ prajā vinaśyeyurmama nāśe samāgate | kathaṃ dhārayitā cāsi prajā rājanmayā vinā
فإذا وقع هلاكي هلكت الرعيّة. أيها الملك، كيف تكون حاملاً وحامياً للناس من دوني؟
Unspecified (a dependent supporter/counsellor addressing the king)
Concept: The ruler’s capacity to protect prajā is contingent on preserving the underlying support; destroy the support and the people perish.
Application: Identify and safeguard what sustains your community—food systems, ethical norms, caregivers, and the environment; leadership is stewardship, not extraction.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A counsellor-like divine presence stands before the king, pointing to a vision: if the sustaining foundation is destroyed, the city’s granaries empty, families scatter, and fields crack. The king’s face shows dawning fear and resolve as he realizes protection is impossible without preserving the base of life.","primary_figures":["a king","a personified sustaining principle (Bhū/Dharma/Śakti as a counsellor)","citizens in a visionary backdrop"],"setting":"palace audience hall opening into a prophetic vision of the kingdom’s fields and streets","lighting_mood":"storm-lit twilight","color_palette":["dust brown","iron grey","torch amber","deep indigo","pale wheat"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king on a throne with ornate gold, a divine counsellor figure gesturing toward a split-scene—prosperous kingdom vs. desolation—gold leaf borders, rich reds and greens contrasted with ashen tones, dramatic moral allegory in South Indian iconographic framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative split-panel composition, delicate figures of citizens, cracked earth and withered crops in one half, calm fields in the other, the king listening intently, subtle emotional expressions, cool shadows and fine architectural detail.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, symbolic depiction of famine and stability, the king in profile with expressive eyes, patterned backgrounds, strong red/yellow/green palette with darkened storm tones for the warning scene.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical pichwai with central king and counsellor, surrounding medallions showing prosperity and collapse, intricate floral borders subdued with earthy pigments, devotional-moral storytelling aesthetic."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["wind","distant drum","murmur of crowd","temple bell fading"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विनश्येयुर्मम = विनश्येयुः + मम; चासि = च + असि; राजन्मया = राजन् + मया (sandhi at boundary).
FAQs
It stresses that a king’s foremost duty is the survival and welfare of the prajā (subjects), and that stable support systems (advisors, ministers, or sustaining forces) are essential to uphold society.
Yes. The speaker argues that without their sustaining presence, the king would be unable to ‘uphold’ the people—highlighting interdependence in governance rather than solitary rule.
Leadership is measured by responsibility for collective well-being; any action that endangers the people (even indirectly, by losing key support) is presented as morally and socially disastrous.