Shloka 20
Sukalā’s Account: Ikṣvāku and Sudevā; the Boar’s Resolve and the Dharma of Battle
तस्यास्तु वाक्यं सनिशम्य कोल उवाच तां शूकरराजौत्तरम् । यदर्थभीतोस्मि सुलुब्धकात्प्रिये दृष्ट्वा गतो दूर निशम्यशूकरान्
tasyāstu vākyaṃ saniśamya kola uvāca tāṃ śūkararājauttaram | yadarthabhītosmi sulubdhakātpriye dṛṣṭvā gato dūra niśamyaśūkarān
فلما سمع كلامها أجابها كولا جوابَ ملكٍ بين الخنازير البرّية: «يا حبيبتي، لهذا أخاف ذلك الصيّاد شديدَ الجشع؛ لما رأيته مضيتُ بعيدًا بعدما سمعتُ الخنازير».
Kola (the boar), described as a ‘king of boars’
Concept: Fear becomes intelligible when its object is named; discernment (viveka) is the first step toward right response and protection of one’s dependents.
Application: Identify the real driver of your fear (a person, habit, or vice); once named, you can plan ethically and seek higher refuge rather than react blindly.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kola, the boar-king, turns back mid-flight and speaks with grave clarity, his tusks catching light as he points toward a distant figure—the greedy hunter—partly hidden behind a tree. The young boars huddle close, and Śūkarī listens, her expression shifting from accusation to understanding as the reason for fear is revealed.","primary_figures":["Kola (boar-king)","Śūkarī (sow)","young boars","greedy hunter"],"setting":"forest corridor with trampled grass, broken branches, and a distant hunter near a rocky rise","lighting_mood":"tense twilight with sharp highlights","color_palette":["dark emerald","copper","dusty brown","twilight blue","pale silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kola in regal stance despite animal form, with gold leaf accents on tusks and a subtle crown-like motif to indicate ‘boar-king’; hunter rendered with darker tones; ornate border; rich reds/greens; narrative clarity with hierarchical scaling (Kola larger, hunter smaller).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant storytelling—Kola’s gesture and Śūkarī’s attentive posture; distant hunter delicately drawn; layered forest depth with cool blues and greens; fine linework on foliage and animal fur.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic, bold composition—Kola centered, speaking; hunter as a simplified but menacing silhouette; patterned forest bands; strong pigment blocks and expressive eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central medallion with Kola explaining; surrounding border filled with stylized forest flora and lotus motifs; use gold detailing to mark ‘kingly’ status; deep blue background with narrative panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["quickened breath","distant bowstring creak","leaf crunch underfoot","low drone underscoring fear"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्यास्तु = तस्याः + तु; शूकरराजौत्तरम् = शूकर-राज-उत्तरम्; यदर्थभीतोस्मि = यदर्थ-भीतः + अस्मि; सुलुब्धकात्प्रिये = सु-लुब्धकात् + प्रिये; निशम्यशूकरान् = निशम्य + शूकरान्
FAQs
The speaker is Kola (the boar), portrayed as a ‘king of boars,’ speaking to his beloved (priye).
Kola explains that he fled far away because he feared an exceedingly greedy hunter, having seen him and heard the boars.
The verse highlights prudent caution: recognizing danger (the hunter) and withdrawing from it rather than ignoring the threat.