Shloka 68
The Five Great Sacrifices: Supremacy of Honoring Parents, Pativrata Dharma, Truthfulness, and Śrāddha
तमुवाच तदा सापि न बकोहं द्विजोत्तम । गच्छ धर्मतुलाधारं पृच्छ तं ते हितं द्विज
tamuvāca tadā sāpi na bakohaṃ dvijottama | gaccha dharmatulādhāraṃ pṛccha taṃ te hitaṃ dvija
তেতিয়া সেয়েও ক’লে: “হে দ্বিজোত্তম, মই বক নহয়। ধৰ্মতুলাধাৰ ওচৰলৈ গৈ তাক সুধা; হে বিপ্ৰ, সিয়েই তোমাৰ হিতৰ কথা ক’ব।”
A woman (unnamed in this verse) addressing a brāhmaṇa (dvijottama).
Concept: True dharma may dwell in unexpected persons; seek instruction from the genuinely righteous, not merely the socially exalted.
Application: When stuck in pride or confusion, consult those known for integrity in daily life; respect wisdom in ordinary professions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The woman, unshaken by threats, points the brāhmaṇa toward the true teacher—Dharmatūlādhāra—whose wisdom outweighs outward status. In the imagined next scene, a humble merchant sits beside weighing scales, calm-eyed, surrounded by simple goods, radiating quiet righteousness.","primary_figures":["woman (householder)","brāhmaṇa (dvijottama)","Dharmatūlādhāra (merchant-sage, implied)"],"setting":"A street-side shop or marketplace corner near a modest home; balance scales (tulā) prominent; tulasi pot and a small Vishnu emblem subtly present.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","earth brown","indigo cloth-blue","leaf green","copper"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: woman gestures firmly toward the path; in a secondary vignette, Dharmatūlādhāra seated by ornate balance scales, serene face, simple merchant attire; gold leaf on the scales and Vishnu symbol, rich reds/greens, jewel-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: marketplace rendered with delicate brushwork; merchant-sage with gentle smile beside a tulā, cool mountain-like palette adapted to town scene; refined faces, lyrical composition, subtle devotional symbols.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Dharmatūlādhāra as a calm central figure with stylized eyes, scales as iconic attribute; bold outlines, natural pigments, temple-panel symmetry, red-yellow-green dominance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional merchant-sage scene framed by lotus borders; scales decorated with floral motifs; deep blue background with gold accents; peacocks and cows in border, subtle Vishnu/Krishna presence implied through symbols."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["market ambience (soft)","distant bell","footsteps fading","gentle breeze"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तमुवाच = तम् + उवाच; सापि = सा + अपि; बकोहं = बकः + अहम्; धर्मतुलाधारम् treated as compound; no further external sandhi.
FAQs
This verse does not describe a tīrtha or physical geography; it points instead to a moral ‘destination’—seeking guidance from Dharmatūlādhāra, portrayed as an authority on dharma.
Bhakti is not explicit here; the emphasis is on humility and right counsel—approaching a dharmic authority to learn what is truly beneficial.
Do not judge by appearances or assumptions; when unsure, seek instruction from a genuinely dharmic person who can guide you toward what is truly for your welfare (hita).