Shloka 58
Womb-Suffering and the Path to Liberation
Dialogue of Wisdom, Meditation, and Discernment
सुमतिर्नाम संप्रोक्ता सा वृद्धा युवतीति च । नारी पुरुषलोकेषु सर्वदैव प्रतिष्ठिता
sumatirnāma saṃproktā sā vṛddhā yuvatīti ca | nārī puruṣalokeṣu sarvadaiva pratiṣṭhitā
Es wird verkündet, ihr Name sei Sumati; man spricht von ihr als von einer Alten und zugleich als von einer jungen Jungfrau. Dieses weibliche Prinzip ist in den Menschenwelten immerdar fest gegründet.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within the chapter context)
Concept: Sumati (right-mindedness) is perennial—both ‘old’ (mature, time-tested) and ‘young’ (fresh, ever-renewing)—and is established among humans as a guiding feminine principle.
Application: Honor mature counsel and youthful openness simultaneously: keep traditions (vṛddhā) while renewing sincerity (yuvatī); seek mentors and also maintain beginner’s mind in sādhana.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sumati appears as a single figure with two aspects: half depicted as a venerable matron with silver hair and half as a radiant maiden, both sharing one calm gaze. Behind her stretches a panorama of human life—villages, courts, hermitages—showing that her presence is established everywhere among men.","primary_figures":["Sumati (dual-aspect: old and young)","Human figures (kings, householders, students, ascetics)"],"setting":"A symbolic ‘world of men’ tableau: palace veranda blending into a village path and a forest āśrama, unified by a central lotus pedestal.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ivory white","vermillion","peacock blue","aged gold","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sumati as ardhanārī-like dual age depiction—one side elderly, one side youthful—standing on a lotus; gold leaf emphasizes the paradox; background panels show palace, village, and āśrama scenes; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical dual-age Sumati with delicate shading; Himalayan-like rolling hills behind a small court and hermitage; cool blues and soft vermillion; fine facial features and gentle narrative vignettes of human life around her.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Sumati’s two-age visage rendered with characteristic large eyes; patterned textiles in red/yellow/green; background registers showing men’s worlds—king, householder, ascetic—under a unifying lotus mandala.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus medallion with Sumati in dual-age form; surrounding border of lotuses and creepers; peacocks and cows in corners; deep indigo field with gold detailing, suggesting her ever-established presence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft mridangam pulse","temple courtyard ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुमतिर्नाम = सुमतिः + नाम; युवतीति = युवती + इति; सर्वदैव = सर्वदा + एव.
FAQs
In this śloka, “Sumati” is presented as a named figure/ideal whose presence is described as enduring and established; the verse emphasizes her abiding role rather than giving a detailed biography in the line itself.
The pairing “vṛddhā” and “yuvatī” suggests continuity across life-stages—an idea of perennial presence that is not limited to a single age or social condition.
It implies that the feminine principle (nārī) is an enduring, foundational presence within human society, worthy of recognition and respect across all times and stages.