Shloka 45
The Supremacy of Food-Charity and the Rāma–Śambūka Episode
Child Revived through Rājadharma
अब्राह्मणो न वै कश्चित्तपस्तपति राघव । अमृत्यवस्तदा सर्वे जायंते चिरजीविनः
abrāhmaṇo na vai kaścittapastapati rāghava | amṛtyavastadā sarve jāyaṃte cirajīvinaḥ
يا راغهافا، حينئذٍ لم يكن أحدٌ من غير البراهمة يباشر التقشّف (التَّبَس)؛ وفي ذلك الزمان كان الجميع بمنأى عن الموت، ويولدون طوالَ الأعمار.
Unspecified (addressing Rāghava)
Concept: In certain cosmic conditions (yuga-configuration), longevity and freedom from death prevail, and the social distribution of tapas follows an ordained pattern.
Application: Treat spiritual disciplines as context-sensitive: adopt the dharma appropriate to one’s station and era; cultivate humility about one’s capacities and focus on sincere practice rather than comparison.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast cosmic tableau of a pristine yuga: human beings with serene, luminous faces stand beneath a sky of slow-turning constellations, untouched by decay. A subtle, unseen current of time is shown as a translucent wheel behind them, while a sage-like figure addresses Rāghava, indicating that tapas and longevity follow the era’s hidden law.","primary_figures":["Rāghava (Rama, as listener)","a narrating sage (unnamed)","symbolic Kala-chakra (time wheel)"],"setting":"Mythic hermitage at the edge of a timeless forest, opening into a cosmic horizon with faint celestial architecture.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pearl white","saffron gold","sky blue","lotus pink","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rama seated in calm profile listening to a sage, behind them a stylized golden kala-chakra halo; rich gold leaf embellishment on crowns and borders, deep vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, temple-like arch framing a timeless forest and starry sky.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet forest ashram with delicate trees and distant hills, Rama and a sage in refined facial features; a faint translucent wheel of time in the sky, cool blues and soft pinks, lyrical naturalism and fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Rama with characteristic large eyes and ornate jewelry, sage gesturing toward a circular kala motif; flat yet vibrant background with temple-wall aesthetic, dominant reds, yellows, greens with controlled shading.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central medallion as a kala-chakra surrounded by lotus motifs; Rama and sage at the lower register, intricate floral borders, deep indigo background with gold highlights, peacocks and stylized vines framing the theme of timeless longevity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","temple bells (distant)","forest birds","long pauses of silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कश्चित्तपस्तपति→कश्चित्+तपः+तपति; अमृत्यवस्तदा→अमृत्यवः+तदा.
FAQs
It describes a time or condition in which ordinary social distinctions around austerity (tapas) are absent for non-Brahmins, and the beings of that time are characterized as deathless or exceptionally long-lived.
The term amṛtyavaḥ can be read as “deathless,” but in Purāṇic usage it can also function as a hyperbolic marker for an age of extraordinary longevity; context from surrounding verses would determine whether it is literal or descriptive.
Rāghava is a respectful vocative for Rāma (descendant of Raghu), indicating the verse is part of a dialogue or narration directed to him, even if the speaker is not named in the provided excerpt.