Shloka 14
The Yayāti Episode
with the Glory of Mātā–Pitṛ Tīrtha
तुरुरुवाच । शरीरं प्राप्यते पुत्रैः पितुर्मातुः प्रसादतः । धर्मश्च क्रियते राजञ्शरीरेण विपश्चिता
tururuvāca | śarīraṃ prāpyate putraiḥ piturmātuḥ prasādataḥ | dharmaśca kriyate rājañśarīreṇa vipaścitā
Turu sprach: „Söhne erlangen einen Körper durch die Gnade von Vater und Mutter; und, o König, durch den Körper vollbringen die Weisen das Dharma.“
Turu
Concept: The body, received through parents’ grace, is the indispensable means by which the wise perform dharma; therefore it must be honored and used rightly.
Application: Care for health as stewardship; practice daily duties (truthfulness, charity, worship) through disciplined bodily action; cultivate gratitude toward parents.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"King and counselor face each other in a quiet audience hall; Turu speaks with calm authority, gesturing toward a mother and father seated nearby as honored elders. The scene subtly highlights the sanctity of embodiment: a small altar flame and a water vessel suggest daily rites performed through the body. The king listens, chastened, as the teaching reframes the body as a dharmic gift rather than a vehicle for indulgence.","primary_figures":["Turu","king (rājan)","father and mother (honored elders)","attendant sages/courtiers"],"setting":"royal sabhā with a side shrine, kusa mats, ritual vessels, and a respectful seating for elders","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","royal crimson","antique gold","peacock blue","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Turu addressing a seated king in a jeweled court; elders (mother and father) on a raised respectful seat; gold leaf detailing on pillars and halos, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, a small ritual fire and conch near a Viṣṇu lamp, symmetrical composition with traditional South Indian decorative borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court interior with delicate patterns; Turu in simple sage attire contrasts the king’s regal garments; elders seated calmly; soft dawn light entering through lattice windows, cool blues and warm ochres, lyrical restraint and expressive eyes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments; Turu’s instructive gesture, king attentive; elders emphasized with dignified posture; dominant reds/yellows/greens, stylized palace pillars, ritual lamp and kalasha rendered iconically.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: court scene framed by lotus borders; central dialogue between Turu and king; elders depicted as auspicious figures; deep blue ground with gold floral filigree, peacocks in border corners, conch and lotus motifs suggesting Vaiṣṇava sanctity of dharma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["court ambience hush","soft anklet chime","temple bell in distance","steady tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुरुरुवाच = तुरुः + उवाच; पितुर्मातुः = पितुः + मातुः; धर्मश्च = धर्मः + च; राजञ्शरीरेण = राजन् + शरीरेण (नकारस्य ञ्-आदेशः परे श);
FAQs
It teaches that embodiment comes through one’s parents, and that the body is the necessary instrument through which the wise can practice dharma (righteous duty).
It highlights gratitude and ethical recognition of parental agency—one’s life and capacity for righteous action depend upon the favor and support of parents.
A king should value embodied life as the basis of moral responsibility and governance, encouraging conditions where people can live and perform dharma.