Shloka 13
The Meeting with Agastya
Rāma Praised by the Gods; Phalaśruti; Ideal Reign; Prelude to Agastya’s Arrival
श्रीराम उवाच । सुरा वृणुत मे यूयं वरं किंचित्सुदुर्ल्लभम् । यं कोऽपि देवो दनुजो न यक्षः प्राप सादरः
śrīrāma uvāca | surā vṛṇuta me yūyaṃ varaṃ kiṃcitsudurllabham | yaṃ ko'pi devo danujo na yakṣaḥ prāpa sādaraḥ
قال شري راما: «يا معشرَ الآلهة، اختاروا مني نعمةً ما، ولو يسيرة—نعمةً بالغةَ الندرة عسيرةَ المنال—لم ينلْها قطُّ أيُّ ديفا ولا دانافا ولا ياكشا مع تمام الإكرام».
Śrī Rāma
Concept: Bhagavān is the ultimate giver of boons; even devas and other beings depend on His will—His generosity exceeds ordinary cosmic hierarchies.
Application: Use power to uplift: when gratitude is offered, respond with generosity; cultivate the attitude that true ‘boons’ are those aligned with dharma.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śrī Rāma stands poised like a cosmic king, right hand lifted in a gentle boon-giving gesture (vara-mudrā). The devas, still bowed, look up with astonished gratitude as the air shimmers—suggesting a gift ‘unreceived’ by gods, dānavas, or yakṣas.","primary_figures":["Śrī Rāma","assembled Devas","Yakṣa representatives (symbolic)","Dānava silhouettes (symbolic, distant)"],"setting":"A radiant court with lotus-throne motifs, celestial banners, and a horizon of luminous clouds.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","royal blue","ivory","crimson","jade green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śrī Rāma in regal stance with gold leaf halo, right hand in vara-mudrā, devas in jeweled crowns gazing upward, ornate arch with embossed gold, rich reds and greens, pearl-like highlights, stylized lotus throne elements and sacred emblems subtly integrated.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Rāma offering a boon with delicate gesture, devas clustered in reverent semicircle, soft dawn sky, fine textile patterns, cool blues with warm gold accents, lyrical cloud bands and floral borders, refined facial expressions showing awe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Rāma’s serene commanding presence, devas with stylized ornaments, warm ochres and reds with green detailing, temple-wall composition, rhythmic symmetry, aura rendered as concentric color fields.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Rāma framed by lotus and floral borders, symmetrical arrangement of devas, deep blue ground with gold filigree, peacocks at corners, intricate textile patterning, emphasis on devotional grandeur and auspicious motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","mridanga soft strokes","wind-like drone","brief pauses for emphasis"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कोऽपि = कः + अपि; किंचित्सुदुर्ल्लभम् = किंचित् + सुदुर्लभम्; (यम् ... प्राप) relative-object linkage; no further mandatory sandhi splits.
FAQs
Śrī Rāma is speaking, addressing the suras (the gods/devas).
Rāma invites the gods to ask for a boon from him, emphasizing that it should be an exceptionally rare boon—one not previously granted even to powerful classes of beings such as devas, dānavas, or yakṣas.
The verse highlights the ideal of honoring worthy recipients and the gravity of boons: a boon is not merely power, but a gift granted with discernment and respect (sādara), implying responsibility on both giver and receiver.