Shloka 45
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
यावत्तिष्ठति तारुण्यं तावद्भुंजंति मानवाः । सुखभोगादिकं सर्वं स्वेच्छया रमते नरः
yāvattiṣṭhati tāruṇyaṃ tāvadbhuṃjaṃti mānavāḥ | sukhabhogādikaṃ sarvaṃ svecchayā ramate naraḥ
Solange die Jugend währt, geben sich die Menschen dem Genuss hin; und der Mann, dem eigenen Willen folgend, erfreut sich an jeder Art von Lust und Vergnügen.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: As long as youth lasts, humans indulge according to whim; unchecked desire strengthens bondage—therefore cultivate restraint and devotion early.
Application: Set boundaries for pleasure; adopt simple daily niyamas (japa, satvika diet, ekadashi observance) while energy is strong.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A youthful figure reclines amid luxuries—garlands, perfumes, music—while shadowy forms of Time and Aging loom faintly behind, almost invisible yet inevitable. The composition contrasts bright sensual abundance with a subtle warning: the man delights in every pleasure by his own will, unaware of the approaching turn of life.","primary_figures":["youthful indulgent man","personified Kāma (optional symbolic)","personified Kāla/Time (subtle)","faint figure of Jarā/Aging (subtle)"],"setting":"palace-garden pavilion with cushions, wine-like goblets (symbolic), musicians at the edge, and a distant darkening sky","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","antique gold","rose red","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: opulent pavilion scene with gold leaf-heavy ornamentation, gem-studded jewelry, rich crimson and emerald textiles; behind the youth, faint gold-outlined silhouettes of Kāla and Jarā; ornate arch and floral borders emphasizing moral contrast.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined courtly indulgence in a moonlit garden; delicate musicians, scented flowers, cool blues and greens; a barely-there gray figure of Time in the background, conveying warning through subtlety and composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and saturated pigments; youth in bright red/yellow garments, background deep green; symbolic Kāla/Jarā rendered as stylized shadow-figures; decorative patterns filling negative space like a temple narrative panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central pavilion medallion of youthful bhoga, surrounded by lotus and creeper borders; peacocks and floral filigree; deep blue ground with gold highlights; small corner vignettes of Time’s wheel and wilting flowers as symbolic reminders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["mridang rhythm (soft)","ankle bells distant","night breeze","single conch note at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यावत्तिष्ठति = यावत् + तिष्ठति (त् + त → त्त); तावद्भुञ्जन्ति = तावत् + भुञ्जन्ति (त् + भ → द्भ); सुखभोगादिकम् = सुख-भोग-आदिकम् (समास); स्वेच्छया = स्व + इच्छया (स्वेच्छया)
FAQs
It observes that while youth lasts, humans tend to pursue pleasures freely and indulge in enjoyments according to personal desire.
The verse primarily describes a common human tendency during youth; in Purāṇic ethical contexts this often serves as a setup for reflecting on impermanence and the need for restraint or higher aims.
Youth and the capacity to enjoy are temporary; therefore one should be mindful of desire-driven living and consider directing life toward lasting values such as dharma and self-discipline.