Shloka 31
The Narrative of Śivaśarman: Indra’s Obstacles, Menakā’s Mission, and the Triumph of Pitṛ-Devotion
तेजोभंगो न कर्त्तव्यो ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम् । पुत्रपौत्रैः समस्तैस्तु ब्रह्मविष्णुहरान्पुनः
tejobhaṃgo na karttavyo brāhmaṇānāṃ mahātmanām | putrapautraiḥ samastaistu brahmaviṣṇuharānpunaḥ
Man soll niemals die Würde und geistige Strahlkraft großherziger Brāhmaṇas schmälern. Und zusammen mit Söhnen und Enkeln soll man immer wieder Brahmā, Viṣṇu und Hara (Śiva) verehren.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa 3)
Concept: Never injure the tejas (dignity/spiritual radiance) of great brāhmaṇas; sustain family prosperity by repeated honor to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Hara.
Application: Practice speech-restraint and humility toward learned/virtuous people; cultivate daily reverence—pujā, namaskāra, charity—so that family culture becomes dharmic.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household lineage—father, son, and grandson—stand with folded hands before a seated brāhmaṇa mahātmā, offering water and flowers. In the background, subtle icon-forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Hara appear as a triptych of sanctity, suggesting that honoring the wise sustains cosmic order.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa mahātmā (sage)","householder with son and grandson","Brahmā (iconic presence)","Viṣṇu (iconic presence)","Hara/Śiva (iconic presence)"],"setting":"An earthbound courtyard shrine near an āśrama—tulya to a village dharma-śālā—with a small altar, lamps, and offering trays.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-gold","sandalwood beige","vermillion","peacock blue","ash-gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central seated sage with large gold halo; a three-generation family offering flowers and water; behind them, framed icons of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva with ornate crowns; heavy gold leaf on halos and jewelry, rich reds/greens, carved-pillared arch and decorative floor patterns.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate domestic devotion scene with delicate faces; the sage under a simple canopy; family members in soft textiles; faint divine triptych in the sky like a blessing; cool palette, fine brushwork, gentle landscape and architectural detail.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition—sage centered, family to one side, triad icons above; bold outlines, flat pigments, stylized lamps and floral motifs; dominant reds/yellows with green and blue accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional family honoring the sage, bordered by lotus and vine motifs; Viṣṇu icon subtly emphasized at center of the triad; intricate floral borders, deep blue background with gold highlights and stylized lamps."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["oil-lamp crackle","soft bell","tanpura drone","quiet footsteps","evening insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tejo-bhaṃgaḥ = tejaḥ + bhaṅgaḥ (visarga sandhi); samastaiḥ-tu = samastaiḥ + tu; harān-punaḥ = harān + punaḥ.
FAQs
Tejobhaṅga refers to harming, diminishing, or undermining the 'tejas'—the dignity, spiritual authority, and sacred radiance—associated with great brāhmaṇas.
By naming Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Hara (Śiva), the verse invokes the Trimūrti as objects of reverence, reinforcing a broad dharmic duty of honoring the divine alongside respecting holy persons.
It teaches restraint in speech and action toward spiritually venerable people, and promotes sustained reverence—personally and through one’s family line—for the divine and dharmic order.