Shloka 14
Dharma of the Conduct of the Vānaprastha Āśrama
Forest-Dweller Discipline
न ग्रामजातान्यार्तोपि पुष्पाणि च फलानि च । श्रावणेनैव विधिना वह्निं परिचरेत्सदा
na grāmajātānyārtopi puṣpāṇi ca phalāni ca | śrāvaṇenaiva vidhinā vahniṃ paricaretsadā
ولو كان في ضيقٍ، فلا يقبل أزهارًا ولا ثمارًا منشؤها القرية؛ بل ليقم دائمًا بخدمة النار المقدّسة وفق الشعيرة المقرّرة لشهر شرافَنا (Śrāvaṇa).
Unspecified (narrative injunction within the Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Do not compromise observance by accepting village-sourced offerings; maintain agni-sevā according to Śrāvaṇa-vidhi even in distress.
Application: When under pressure, keep core spiritual routines intact (daily lamp/incense, mantra, simple offering) rather than seeking convenience that breaks one’s chosen discipline.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Monsoon clouds gather over a small hermitage as a vow-keeper shields a sacred fire with cupped hands and a leaf-fan, refusing a villager’s basket of flowers and fruits offered in pity. The fire glows steady beneath a thatched awning, suggesting that rite and resolve outlast hardship.","primary_figures":["vratī (householder-ascetic)","village donor (optional)","Agni personified as a small radiant presence (optional)"],"setting":"Hermitage agniśālā with thatched roof, rain-soaked forest edge, clay lamps, ladle, and offering vessels; a village path visible at the margin.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["monsoon slate","ember orange","wet leaf green","ochre","smoky white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sacred fire with gold leaf flames, a steadfast vratī performing Śrāvaṇa-vidhi with ornate vessels; a villager at the side holds a basket of flowers/fruits being gently declined; rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments on ritual items, luminous haloed Agni motif.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: monsoon landscape with soft gray clouds and delicate rain lines; the ascetic tends a small fire under a thatch, refusing village offerings; cool palette, refined faces, lyrical trees and distant huts, intimate devotional realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized fire altar, the vratī in traditional attire with expressive eyes; rain motifs and foliage in red-yellow-green pigments; Agni rendered as a compact radiant figure within the flames.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border with lotus motifs; central composition shows a glowing fire altar and a devotee maintaining rite during Śrāvaṇa rains; deep blue-gray background, gold highlights on flames, peacocks and clouds as monsoon symbols."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rainfall","crackling fire","soft bell","conch shell (distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ग्रामजातान्यार्तोपि = ग्रामजातानि + आर्तः + अपि; श्रावणेनैव = श्रावणेन + एव; परिचरेत्सदा = परिचरेत् + सदा
FAQs
It reflects a ritual-purity concern: offerings and supports for rites (especially fire-ritual service) are ideally obtained in a manner considered uncontaminated or non-commercial/householder-associated, even under hardship.
It emphasizes consistent agni-paricaryā—regular service of the sacred fire—performed following the specific procedures prescribed for the month of Śrāvaṇa.
It teaches steadiness in dharma: even in difficulty, one should uphold disciplined practice and avoid compromising ritual standards for convenience.