Shloka 134
Cosmic Time, Cycles of Creation and Dissolution, and the Varāha Uplift of Earth
स्वर्गापवर्गं मानुष्यात्प्राप्नुवंति नरा नृप । यच्चाभिरुचितं स्थानं तद्यांति मनुजा विभो
svargāpavargaṃ mānuṣyātprāpnuvaṃti narā nṛpa | yaccābhirucitaṃ sthānaṃ tadyāṃti manujā vibho
أيها الملك، بفضل الحياة الإنسانية ينال الناس السماء أو التحرّر؛ ويا ربّ، يمضي البشر إلى العالم الذي يشتدّ إليه شوقهم.
Uncertain from single-verse context (addressed to a king: 'nṛpa'; also 'vibho' indicates a revered interlocutor).
Concept: Human life is the decisive field where one can attain either heavenly enjoyment or liberation; the destination aligns with one’s deepest desire (icchā/abhirucci).
Application: Audit what you repeatedly long for; convert desire into sankalpa for sādhana (japa, vrata, seva). Choose daily actions that match the realm you claim to want.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A contemplative king sits before a luminous sage in a palace hall that subtly opens into a cosmic vista: above, layered heavens; beyond, a serene, lotus-like gateway of liberation. From the king’s heart rises a faint stream of light that bends toward the realm he most desires, illustrating choice as destiny.","primary_figures":["a king (nṛpa)","a venerable sage/narrator","Vishnu (Hari) as an inner radiance"],"setting":"royal sabhā transitioning into a symbolic cosmic mandala of svarga and apavarga","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","pearl white","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a seated king with folded hands before a rishi on a jeweled throne-dais; behind them a split cosmic backdrop—upper svarga with devas and vimānas, lower a lotus-gate of apavarga with Vishnu’s subtle aura; heavy gold leaf halos, embossed ornaments, rich crimson and emerald textiles, temple-arch framing, gem-studded crowns and jewelry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court scene with refined faces; the palace balcony opens to a lyrical sky where svarga appears as delicate cloud-palaces and apavarga as a calm lotus-lake with a radiant doorway; cool blues and soft pinks, fine linework, gentle shading, minimal gold accents, poetic atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-outlined king and sage in frontal poise; behind them a stylized cosmic diagram—tiered heavens and a lotus of liberation with Hari as inner flame; natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, characteristic large eyes, ornamental borders like temple wall panels.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus medallion with Vishnu’s chest-radiance symbolizing inner desire; surrounding rings show svarga (devas, vimānas) and apavarga (white lotus path); intricate floral borders, peacocks at corners, deep indigo ground with gold and pink lotuses, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","temple bells (distant)","conch shell (very faint)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मानुष्यात्प्राप्नुवंति = मानुष्यात् + प्राप्नुवन्ति; यच्चाभिरुचितं = यत् + च + अभिरुचितम्; तद्यांति = तत् + यान्ति.
FAQs
It presents human life as the crucial condition through which one can attain either svarga (heavenly enjoyment) or apavarga (liberation), emphasizing its spiritual significance.
It states that people go to the ‘place’ or state they most desire—implying that inner inclination and chosen aims shape one’s posthumous destination.
Since outcomes follow one’s chosen aims, a ruler should cultivate right desire—supporting dharma and higher goals—rather than merely pursuing transient pleasures.