Shloka 34
Teaching of Karma-yoga
Student Conduct, Vedic Study, and Gāyatrī Supremacy
विप्रोष्य पादग्रहणपूर्वकं चाभिवादनम् । गुरुदारेषु कुर्वीत सतां धर्म्ममनुस्मरन्
viproṣya pādagrahaṇapūrvakaṃ cābhivādanam | gurudāreṣu kurvīta satāṃ dharmmamanusmaran
إذا عاد المرء من غيبةٍ، فليؤدِّ التحية بخشوعٍ واحترام، مبتدئًا بمسِّ القدمين، لزوجةِ المعلّم الروحي (الغورو)، مستحضرًا سيرةَ الصالحين ودَرْمَهم القويم.
Unspecified (narrative injunction within Svarga-khaṇḍa)
Concept: On returning after time away, one should greet the guru’s wife with formal abhivādana beginning with foot-touching, remembering the dharma of the virtuous (satām).
Application: After travel or long gaps, re-establish relationships with elders through respectful greetings and accountability to community norms.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A travel-worn disciple arrives at the ashram gate with a staff and bundle, dust on his feet, and immediately bows to touch the feet of the guru’s wife in formal greeting. The background shows the calm continuity of the ashram—smoke from a small fire, students reciting—contrasting with the pilgrim’s return.","primary_figures":["śiṣya returning from journey","guru-patnī","ashram students"],"setting":"Ashram entrance with gate arch, footpath, sacrificial fire corner, manuscript recitation area.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["dusty ochre","smoke gray","forest green","vermillion","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: returning disciple at the ashram gate touching the feet of the guru’s wife in formal abhivādana; gold leaf on gate arch and lamp flames, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry and textiles, symmetrical devotional framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative return scene with gentle hills and trees; the disciple with travel bundle bows to the guru’s wife; delicate brushwork, cool natural palette, refined expressions, lyrical path leading into the ashram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines show the act of pāda-grahaṇa and the composed figure of the guru’s wife; warm pigments, stylized eyes, temple-wall composition with ritual fire motif.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a return-to-dharma tableau with floral borders; a small Viṣṇu emblem above the gate, peacocks near the path, deep blues and gold, lotuses framing the respectful foot-salutation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["footsteps on earth","distant Vedic chanting","temple bells","crackling fire"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाभिवादनम् = च + अभिवादनम्; धर्म्ममनुस्मरन् = धर्मम् + अनुस्मरन् (धर्म्म- spelling per पाठ).
FAQs
It prescribes offering respectful salutations—specifically including pādagrahaṇa (touching the feet)—to the guru’s wife upon returning from absence.
It frames the act as part of established noble conduct (sadācāra), urging one to model behavior on the standards of the righteous rather than personal impulse.
It emphasizes reverence, humility, and disciplined etiquette within the teacher–student tradition, extending respect to the guru’s household as an expression of dharma.