Shloka 167
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
दिव्यानां पार्थिवानां च राजसूये क्षयः श्रुतः । स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल बुद्ध्या संचिंत्य पार्थिव
divyānāṃ pārthivānāṃ ca rājasūye kṣayaḥ śrutaḥ | sa tvaṃ puruṣaśārdūla buddhyā saṃciṃtya pārthiva
وقد سُمِعَ أن الهلاك قد يقع حتى للآلهة ولملوك الأرض في قربان الراجاسويا (Rājasūya). فلتتفكّر في ذلك بعقلٍ راجح، يا نمرَ الرجال، أيها الملك.
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/sage addressing a king)
Concept: Ritual power without discernment can become a cause of ruin; dharmic intelligence (buddhi) must govern royal ambition.
Application: Before pursuing status-driven goals (titles, recognition, grand ceremonies), examine motives, consequences, and ethical costs; choose restraint when ego is being fed.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast sacrificial arena with towering yajña-posts and smoke curling upward, yet a shadow of ominous clouds gathers at the edge, hinting at the fragility of royal glory. A sage leans toward a crowned king, raising a hand in gentle warning, while courtiers pause mid-ritual, sensing the gravity of counsel.","primary_figures":["a dharma-teaching sage","a warrior-king (pārthiva)","priests (ṛtviks)"],"setting":"Rājasūya yajña-śālā with vedi, sacrificial fires, banners, and assembled kings; distant horizon darkening","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoke gray","saffron ember","ivory white","deep maroon","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a regal king seated near a blazing yajña fire as a venerable sage admonishes him about the peril of Rājasūya; gold leaf halos around the sage and sacred fire, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded crowns, ornate pillars and vedi details, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, intricate floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet moment in a royal sacrifice pavilion where a sage counsels a thoughtful king; delicate brushwork, cool muted palette with warm fire-glow accents, refined faces, patterned carpets, distant hills and a brooding sky, lyrical naturalism and fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures of a sage and king beside the yajña fire, expressive eyes, stylized flames and ritual implements, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition with decorative bands and auspicious motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a symbolic yajña scene framed by lotus and floral borders, emphasizing dharma over pride; intricate ornamentation, deep indigo background with gold highlights, ritual fire at center, attendants and priests in rhythmic arrangement, ornate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple bells","crackling sacrificial fire","murmured Vedic chants","conch shell in the distance","brief silences for emphasis"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संचिंत्य = सम् + चिन्त्य (सम्-उपसर्गपूर्वक ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय). अन्यत्र प्रमुखसन्धिः न।
FAQs
It cautions that grand royal rituals like the Rājasūya can still lead to downfall, so a king should act with careful discernment rather than pride or haste.
The verse universalizes the warning: status—whether celestial or royal—does not guarantee immunity from decline if one’s motives or conduct around power and ritual are flawed.
Kingship should be guided by buddhi (discriminating intelligence): evaluate consequences, restrain ego, and prioritize dharma over mere display of sovereignty.