Shloka 26
The Account of Sukalā in the Vena Episode: The Sow, the Sons, and Royal Restraint
महादोषं प्रिये दृष्टं स्त्रीवधे दैवतैः किल । तस्मान्न घातयेन्नारीं प्रेषयेहं न कंचन
mahādoṣaṃ priye dṛṣṭaṃ strīvadhe daivataiḥ kila | tasmānna ghātayennārīṃ preṣayehaṃ na kaṃcana
প্ৰিয়ে, দেৱতাসকলে নাৰী হত্যা কৰাটো এক মহা পাপ বুলি ঘোষণা কৰিছে। সেয়েহে, নাৰীক হত্যা কৰা উচিত নহয়; মই কাকো তেনে আদেশ নিদিওঁ।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (addressing 'priye'—likely a husband/king addressing his beloved/queen)
Concept: Strī-vadha (killing a woman) is mahādoṣa; righteous rule requires restraint even under provocation.
Application: Refuse harmful orders; pause before punitive action; choose nonviolent, lawful alternatives—especially toward those socially vulnerable.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a palace chamber lit by oil lamps, a conscientious king raises his hand in a gesture of refusal, speaking softly to his beloved queen seated beside him. Courtiers and guards stand tense in the background, but the atmosphere turns calm as the king chooses dharma over violence.","primary_figures":["rājā (king)","rājñī/priyā (queen)","courtiers","palace guards"],"setting":"royal palace interior with carved pillars, silk drapes, and a low throne; a scroll or dharma-śāstra palm-leaf manuscript nearby to suggest moral deliberation","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep maroon","antique gold","ivory white","emerald green","smoky lamp-black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dharmic king on a jeweled throne raises a palm in refusal, addressing his beloved queen; gold leaf halos, rich red-green textiles, gem-studded crowns, ornate palace pillars, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, intricate floral borders, luminous lamp-lit ambience.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate palace conversation—king gently admonishing against violence, queen attentive; delicate linework, soft shading, cool interior tones, patterned carpets, refined faces, small attendants in the background, lyrical stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined royal couple in a palace hall, king’s right hand in abhaya-like refusal gesture; natural pigments, red-yellow-green dominance, stylized lotus motifs on pillars, large expressive eyes, ritual lamp glow.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vaishnava-inflected court scene framed by lotus and tulasi borders; deep indigo background with gold detailing, palace terrace hinted behind, attendants arranged symmetrically, ornate floral patterns and traditional textile richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","distant palace hush","oil-lamp crackle","brief silence after the moral resolve"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्मान्न → तस्मात् न; घातयेन्नारीं → घातयेत् नारीम्; प्रेषयेहं → प्रेषये अहम्; कंचन → कञ्चन
FAQs
It emphasizes dharma through ahiṃsā (non-violence), specifically condemning strī-vadha (killing a woman) as a grave wrongdoing.
'Priye' means 'beloved' and indicates the speaker is addressing a dear person (often a spouse). The exact identity is not determinable from the single verse alone.
The speaker refuses to authorize violence: one should not kill a woman, and the speaker will not command anyone to do so.