Shloka 24
The Greatness of the Viṣṇu-pañcaka
Five-Day Kārttika Observance
पथि प्रगच्छतां तेषां भयाद्विप्र न खादितुम् । प्राप्तं किंचित्क्षुधार्त्तास्ते गताश्चान्य स्थलं प्रति
pathi pragacchatāṃ teṣāṃ bhayādvipra na khāditum | prāptaṃ kiṃcitkṣudhārttāste gatāścānya sthalaṃ prati
Als sie den Weg entlangzogen, o Brāhmaṇa, aßen sie aus Furcht nicht; und obgleich vom Hunger gequält, zogen sie, nachdem sie nur wenig erlangt hatten, weiter zu einem anderen Ort.
Unspecified narrator (contextual narration within Brahma-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Fear and insecurity shrink even basic acts like eating; pāpa-driven life produces constant agitation and scarcity-consciousness.
Application: Notice how unethical choices create chronic fear; cultivate integrity and devotional routine to restore steadiness.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small band of frightened travelers moves along a dusty road, clutching meager food but refusing to eat, scanning the horizon for danger. Their faces are gaunt with hunger, and the landscape feels unsettled—empty fields, thorn hedges, and a distant crossroads leading to an unknown refuge.","primary_figures":["fearful travelers (teṣām)","a brāhmaṇa narrator-presence implied by address"],"setting":"a desolate road between settlements, sparse trees, a crossroads marker, distant silhouettes of another village","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["pale moon silver","dust ochre","midnight blue","dry grass tan","muted crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: travelers on a road under a stylized night sky, gold leaf moon and border; anxious faces, small bundles of food rendered with detail; rich blues and reds, ornate framing that contrasts worldly fear with sacred art form.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical night journey with cool palette, delicate stars, thin road line leading to a distant settlement; subtle expressions of hunger and fear; fine brushwork for dry grasses and thorn shrubs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, rhythmic marching poses, expressive wide eyes showing fear; strong blue-black background with yellow highlights for moonlight; stylized roadside trees and a symbolic crossroads sign.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative procession across a patterned ground; border of thorny floral motifs and closed lotuses; deep indigo field with gold dots for stars; the meager food bundle painted as a small motif of scarcity, hinting at the need for Viṣṇu’s grace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["night wind","distant dog barks","rustle of dry leaves","soft footfalls","occasional startled breath"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भयाद्विप्र → भयात् + विप्र; किंचित्क्षुधार्त्ताः → किंचित् + क्षुधार्त्ताः; क्षुधार्त्तास्ते → क्षुधार्त्ताः + ते; गताश्चान्य → गताः + च + अन्य
FAQs
It depicts travelers moving along a road who refrain from eating due to fear, remain hungry, receive only a small amount of food, and continue onward to another place.
The verse highlights prudence and endurance: when circumstances feel unsafe, one may forgo immediate comfort and continue seeking a safer place, even while facing hardship.
No. This verse is narrative in tone and contains no explicit mention of deities, sacred places, or ritual instructions.