Shloka 15
The Glory of Truthful Oaths and Keeping One’s Promise
Satya & Pratijñā
सूत उवाच । पुरा किंचित्पुरे शूद्रो नाम्नासीद्वीरविक्रमः । बह्वाशी पृथुलांगश्च बहुवक्तातिसुंदरः
sūta uvāca | purā kiṃcitpure śūdro nāmnāsīdvīravikramaḥ | bahvāśī pṛthulāṃgaśca bahuvaktātisuṃdaraḥ
Sūta sprach: Einst, in einer gewissen Stadt, lebte ein Śūdra namens Vīravikrama—ein Vielesser, von breiten Gliedern, sehr redselig und von überaus schöner Gestalt.
Sūta
Concept: Spiritual narratives often begin with an ordinary (even socially marginal) protagonist to show dharma’s reach beyond birth-status.
Application: Do not dismiss people’s spiritual potential based on social labels; cultivate humility and openness to instruction wherever it appears.
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bustling ancient city street frames the introduction of Vīravikrama: broad-shouldered, handsome, and animated, surrounded by curious townsfolk. The narrator’s presence is felt as a subtle, unseen witness, setting the stage for a moral tale where appearances will soon be tested.","primary_figures":["Sūta (narrator presence)","Vīravikrama","townspeople"],"setting":"North Indian-style puranic city lane with carved wooden balconies, market stalls, and a distant temple spire","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","indigo blue","terracotta red","ivory white","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a lively puranic city vignette introducing Vīravikrama—broad-limbed handsome man in traditional attire, animated gesture and expressive eyes, townspeople and temple gopura-like spire in the background; gold leaf highlights on jewelry, borders, and architectural motifs; rich reds, greens, and deep blues; ornate floral frame and gem-studded embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical city street with delicate linework, Vīravikrama portrayed handsome and talkative with refined facial features; cool shadows and warm dawn wash; small temple silhouette and distant hills; patterned textiles and subtle narrative details in corners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; Vīravikrama centered with heroic proportions, expressive eyes, stylized city architecture and temple lamp motifs; dominant reds, yellows, greens with controlled shading; mural-like border bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel framed by lotus and floral borders; city scene with peacocks perched on balconies, decorative lotuses and vines; deep blue background accents with gold detailing; figures arranged symmetrically like a devotional tableau though set in a townscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["market murmur (subtle)","temple bells (distant)","footsteps on stone","soft drone (tanpura)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: किंचित्पुरे → किञ्चित् + पुरे; नाम्नासीद् → नाम्ना + आसीत्; पृथुलांगश्च → पृथुलाङ्गः + च; बहुवक्तातिसुंदरः → बहुवक्ता + अतिसुन्दरः
FAQs
The speaker is Sūta, and the verse functions as a character-introduction, describing Vīravikrama’s identity and notable traits before the story proceeds.
He is described as a Śūdra by social designation, named Vīravikrama, and characterized as a heavy eater, broad-bodied, very talkative, and exceptionally handsome.
On its own, the verse is primarily descriptive rather than didactic; any ethical lesson typically emerges from how these traits affect later actions and outcomes in the surrounding narrative.