Shloka 17
Narrative of King Pṛthu: Chastising and Milking the Earth
धारयेथाः प्रजाश्चेमा येन सर्वाः प्रवर्द्धये । संलग्नाश्चोत्तमा बाणा ममांगे ते शिलाशिताः
dhārayethāḥ prajāścemā yena sarvāḥ pravarddhaye | saṃlagnāścottamā bāṇā mamāṃge te śilāśitāḥ
এই প্ৰজাসকলক ধাৰণ কৰা, যাতে সকলো বৃদ্ধি পায়। মোৰ দেহত তোমাৰ সেই উত্তম বাণ—শিলামুখী—এতিয়া গাঁথি আছে।
Uncertain from the single-verse excerpt (context needed from Bhūmikhaṇḍa 29).
Concept: Sustaining beings (prajā-dhāraṇa) is the ruler’s sacred obligation; coercion that wounds the Earth must be transformed into protection that enables universal growth.
Application: Shift from extraction to stewardship: repair harm done to land and communities; prioritize policies/actions that let ‘all flourish’ (sarvāḥ pravarddhaye).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The sacred cow-Earth turns her wounded flank toward the king, showing stone-tipped arrows embedded like cruel thorns, yet her voice is not vengeful—only pleading for protection so all creatures may thrive. The king’s bow is lowered; his posture shifts from conquest to guardianship. Around them, faint visions of flourishing fields and relieved animals appear like a prophecy of restoration.","primary_figures":["Dharaṇī/Bhū-devī as cow","Pṛthu Vainya","sages","animals representing prajā"],"setting":"Meadow near a forest edge; scattered arrows on the ground; distant fields waiting to be revived.","lighting_mood":"soft overcast turning to warm sunlight","color_palette":["soft brown","moss green","stone gray","honey gold","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central cow-Earth with ornate yet subdued jewelry, arrows embedded; Pṛthu with lowered bow and folded hands; gold leaf halos and border, rich reds and greens for garments, embossed gold for arrows and ornaments, temple-like framing emphasizing sacred compassion.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender, emotional scene with delicate rendering of the cow’s eyes and the king’s softened expression; gentle hills and trees; muted grays and greens with warm golden breaks in the clouds; fine detail on stone-tipped arrows without gore.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic cow-Earth with expressive eyes, arrows stylized as rhythmic motifs; Pṛthu in respectful stance; bold outlines, flat pigments, balanced composition; warm yellow aura emerging behind figures to signal resolution.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow-Earth centered with lotus borders; surrounding motifs of grains, calves, and flowering vines symbolizing ‘pravṛddhi’; deep blue background with gold accents; devotional symmetry, intricate floral patterns, minimal narrative clutter."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["soft cowbells","flowing water (distant)","temple bell (low)","wind through trees","long silence after the plea"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रजाश्चेमा = प्रजाः + च + इमाः; संलग्नाश्चोत्तमा = संलग्नाः + च + उत्तमाः; ममांगे = मम + अङ्गे.
FAQs
It stresses the dharmic responsibility to uphold and protect the prajā (beings/subjects) so that they can prosper and flourish.
It conveys injury and endurance in the act of protection—suggesting that sustaining others may involve bearing harm or hardship oneself.
Leadership and guardianship are framed as sacrificial: one supports the welfare and growth of all, even at personal cost.