Shloka 10
Within the Greatness of Guru-tīrtha: The Episode of Nahuṣa and Aśokasundarī
in the Cyavana account
भर्तायमायुपुत्रस्ते एतत्सत्यं न संशयः । अन्यं दृष्ट्वा विशंकेत पुरुषं पापलक्षणम्
bhartāyamāyuputraste etatsatyaṃ na saṃśayaḥ | anyaṃ dṛṣṭvā viśaṃketa puruṣaṃ pāpalakṣaṇam
Dieser Mann ist dein Gemahl, der Sohn des Āyu; das ist wahr, ohne Zweifel. Siehst du irgendeinen anderen Mann, so sei auf der Hut, denn er mag ein von Sünde gezeichneter Mensch sein.
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the excerpt; likely a didactic instruction within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue frame)
Concept: Recognize rightful marital dharma (truthfully) and exercise discernment toward morally tainted associations.
Application: Verify commitments and relationships with clarity; avoid entanglements that compromise integrity; cultivate ‘viveka’—not paranoia, but ethical discernment.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet palace chamber, an elder counselor points gently toward a dignified man standing at the threshold, while the woman listens with composed attention. In the shadows behind, indistinct figures with darker hues symbolize ‘pāpa-lakṣaṇa’—temptations and deceit—kept at bay by the lamp of truth.","primary_figures":["counselor/narrator figure","woman addressed (bhadre, sundarī)","Āyu’s son (intended husband)","shadowy ‘pāpa-lakṣaṇa’ archetypes"],"setting":"royal or noble household interior with carved pillars, a small domestic shrine to Viṣṇu, and a tulasi pot near a window","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","ivory","deep maroon","peacock blue","smoky charcoal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: interior scene with ornate pillars and a small Viṣṇu shrine; counselor with gold halo gestures toward the rightful husband; the woman in rich silk listens; gold leaf highlights on jewelry and lamp flames; shadowy figures rendered in muted tones at the edge, emphasizing moral caution.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined indoor court scene, delicate textiles, soft facial expressions; the ‘other man’ suggested as a faint silhouette beyond a curtain; cool blues and maroons, minimal gold, intimate moral storytelling.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized eyes; counselor and woman foregrounded, Viṣṇu shrine and tulasi clearly drawn; the sinful-marked figure shown as dark, angular form outside the doorway; red-yellow-green palette with black accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: domestic dharma scene framed by floral borders and small lotus motifs; a tiny central Viṣṇu emblem above the doorway; peacocks on the border; deep blue background with gold linework, emphasizing satya as protective ornament."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft ankle bells","lamp crackle","low mridang pulse","brief conch accent at ‘satyam’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhartā+ayam→bhartāyam; āyuputraḥ+te→āyuputraste; etat+satyam→etatsatyam; vi+śaṃketa→viśaṃketa; pāpa+lakṣaṇam→pāpalakṣaṇam
FAQs
The verse identifies the husband as an Āyuputra—“son of Āyu.” Without the surrounding verses, the specific individual is not conclusively identifiable here, but the term anchors the husband’s lineage to Āyu.
It advises certainty and loyalty regarding one’s rightful spouse, and urges caution toward other men who may show signs of sinful or harmful character.
It means “marked by sin”—i.e., exhibiting traits or behaviors associated with wrongdoing. The verse uses it as a warning category for discernment rather than as a detailed description.