Shloka 10
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
कार्पासमुपवीतार्थं निर्मितं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । ब्राह्मणानां त्रिवृत्सूत्रं कौशं वा वस्त्रमेव वा
kārpāsamupavītārthaṃ nirmitaṃ brahmaṇā purā | brāhmaṇānāṃ trivṛtsūtraṃ kauśaṃ vā vastrameva vā
قديماً صنع براهما القطن لأجل خيط المقدّس. وللبراهمة يكون الأوبافيتا حبلاً ذا ثلاث فتل، إمّا من عشب الكوشا أو، عند عدمه، من قماش بسيط.
Unspecified (narratorial/śāstric statement within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct upavīta material and form; for brāhmaṇas, a tri-stranded cord is prescribed, with acceptable materials specified.
Application: Respect the ‘small’ disciplines: choose appropriate tools and standards for your practice (spiritual or professional), because form trains attention and integrity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā, seated upon a lotus, is shown ‘crafting’ the sacred materials of dharma—spinning cotton into a luminous three-stranded cord while kuśa blades and folded white cloth lie arranged like offerings. The scene blends cosmic origin with intimate ritual detail, making the upavīta appear as a thread connecting heaven to daily conduct.","primary_figures":["Brahmā","attendant sages (optional)"],"setting":"Celestial lotus-throne workshop with ritual implements floating in orderly arrangement","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","celestial gold","cotton white","pale turquoise","kusa green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā on a lotus throne under a gold leaf prabhāmaṇḍala, hands presenting a tri-stranded yajnopavīta, kuśa bundles and folded white cloth rendered with jeweled ornamentation, rich crimson and emerald background panels, heavy gold leaf embossing on the thread and lotus petals.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Brahmā delicately spinning cotton thread, airy celestial space with soft clouds, cool pastel palette, fine detailing on kuśa blades, gentle gold wash on the tri-strand cord, refined serene face.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Brahmā with bold outlines, stylized lotus seat, clear depiction of three-stranded cord, flat natural pigments (red/yellow/green), ornamental borders like temple murals.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus with Brahmā holding the yajnopavīta, surrounding lotus motifs and floral borders, deep blue field with gold highlights, symmetrical arrangement of kuśa and cloth as decorative mandala elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft drone (tanpura)","temple bells","subtle wind chimes","hushed silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कार्पासमुपवीतार्थं = कार्पासम् + उपवीतार्थम्; वस्त्रमेव = वस्त्रम् + एव; त्रिवृत्सूत्रं = त्रिवृत् + सूत्रम् (समास/सन्धि)।
FAQs
It states that cotton was created for making the upavīta, and that for brāhmaṇas the upavīta is a three-stranded cord, which may be made of kuśa-grass or even of cloth.
Trivṛt-sūtra means a three-fold or three-stranded thread, indicating the prescribed structure of the brāhmaṇa upavīta in this verse.
The verse emphasizes dharma as lived discipline: sacred identity is maintained through prescribed rites and outward symbols, ideally reflecting inner commitment to purity, learning, and right conduct.