Shloka 17
The Deeds of Sukalā (Vena Episode): Husband as Tīrtha & Pativratā-Dharma
तत्फलं समवाप्नोति भर्तुः शुश्रूषणादपि । समासेन प्रवक्ष्यामि तन्मे निगदतः शृणु
tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇādapi | samāsena pravakṣyāmi tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu
স্বামীৰ শুশ্ৰূষা তথা ভক্তিভাৱে সেৱা কৰিলেও সেই একে ফল লাভ হয়। মই ইয়াক সংক্ষেপে ক’ম—মই কওঁতে মন দি শুনা।
Unspecified narrator/speaker (context-dependent within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue)
Concept: The spiritual fruit (phala) of religious merit can be attained through sincere, devoted service within one’s rightful duty (svadharma), here framed as pativratā-dharma.
Application: Sanctify daily responsibilities by offering them as service—perform care, loyalty, and support with purity of intention rather than mere social compliance.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene household shrine scene where a devoted wife offers water and flowers at a small Viṣṇu altar, then turns to serve her husband with the same reverence, suggesting that domestic service becomes a sacred rite. A sage-like narrator figure gestures gently, as if summarizing a teaching, while lotus motifs subtly frame the composition to recall Padma Purāṇa’s ethos.","primary_figures":["devoted householder woman (pativratā)","husband (gṛhastha)","narrator-sage figure (unnamed)","Viṣṇu icon/śālagrāma on altar"],"setting":"simple gṛhastha home with a small altar, brass lamp, tulasī pot nearby, lotus-carved wooden pillars","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-gold","sandalwood beige","lotus pink","deep indigo","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a pativratā in silk sari offering flowers and water before a small Viṣṇu shrine with śālagrāma, then serving her husband with folded hands; heavy gold leaf halos around the deity icon, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch with lotus scrollwork, traditional South Indian iconography and symmetrical composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate domestic courtyard with a small altar, delicate linework showing the woman’s calm face and modest posture, cool pastel palette with lotus pink and indigo, fine floral borders, distant hills faintly visible, lyrical naturalism emphasizing quiet devotion and dharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, warm ochres and greens; the woman and husband in stylized profiles, a glowing oil lamp, Viṣṇu emblem on the altar with a soft aureole; temple-wall aesthetic with lotus medallions and rhythmic decorative bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a Krishna-Viṣṇu shrine at center with lotus motifs and intricate floral borders; the devotee’s service depicted as offering and respectful attendance; deep blue background, gold highlights, peacocks and cows as auspicious fillers, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","oil-lamp crackle","gentle silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्फलं = तत् + फलं (त् + फ → त्फ). शुश्रूषणादपि = शुश्रूषणात् + अपि (त् + अ → द). तन्मे = तत् + मे (त् + म → न्म्).
FAQs
It teaches that the same spiritual merit (“fruit”) can be attained through sincere, devoted service within marriage—specifically, through service to one’s husband—framed as a dharmic path.
Not within this single śloka; it refers back to a previously mentioned result in the surrounding passage, which the speaker promises to summarize next.
The verse emphasizes fidelity to one’s duties (dharma) and the idea that everyday household conduct, performed with devotion and sincerity, can yield significant spiritual outcomes.