Shloka 31
The Origin of Rāvaṇa
रे पुत्र शृणु मद्वाक्यं बहुशिक्षासमन्वितम् । एतस्य जन्मकर्मादि विचारचतुराधिकम्
re putra śṛṇu madvākyaṃ bahuśikṣāsamanvitam | etasya janmakarmādi vicāracaturādhikam
O Sohn, höre meine Worte, reich an vielen Lehren. Sie sind besonders kundig darin, Geburt, Taten und alles Weitere dieses Wesens zu erkennen.
Unspecified elder speaker addressing a son (putra) (context not provided in the input)
Concept: Śāstra-vākya received with śraddhā enables discernment of birth, conduct, and their consequences; moral causality is to be examined, not assumed.
Application: Cultivate daily śravaṇa/adhyayana; evaluate one’s habits and motives (karma) rather than clinging to status (janma).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An elder sage sits on a kusa-grass seat in a subterranean hermitage-like court of Pātāla, raising a hand in gentle instruction. A young listener bows with folded palms, while palm-leaf manuscripts and a small lamp suggest the gravity of transmitted wisdom.","primary_figures":["elder teacher (ṛṣi/ācārya)","son/disciple (putra)"],"setting":"Pātāla-khaṇḍa ambience—rocky cavern-hall softened by sacred plants, a low altar, manuscripts, and a quiet teaching circle.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ochre","smoky indigo","lamp-gold","leaf green","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: an elder guru in saffron robes instructing a young disciple with añjali-mudrā, palm-leaf manuscripts and a brass oil lamp in the foreground, subtle Pātāla cavern backdrop, gold leaf halo around the teacher’s head, rich vermilion and emerald accents, ornate borders with lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate guru-śiṣya scene inside a cool-toned rocky grotto, delicate linework on faces and hands, soft indigo shadows, a tiny lamp flame, manuscripts rendered with fine detail, restrained palette with lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized large eyes, the teacher seated on a low pedestal with a raised teaching hand, disciple kneeling, warm red-yellow-green pigments, lamp and manuscript icons, temple-wall compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vaishnava teaching pavilion framed by lotus creepers and floral borders, a small tulasi pot as auspicious decor (even if not explicit), deep blue ground with gold detailing, serene devotional atmosphere, intricate textile-like patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","page-turning of palm leaves","gentle silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मद्वाक्यं = मत् + वाक्यम् (त् + व → द्व्). बहुशिक्षासमन्वितम् = बहु + शिक्षा + समन्वितम् (समास). जन्मकर्मादि = जन्म + कर्म + आदि (समास).
FAQs
An elder addresses a son, urging him to listen to words that contain many teachings and that are particularly suited for discerning a person’s birth, actions, and related matters.
By highlighting “janma” (birth) and “karma” (deeds), the verse frames moral understanding as something examined thoughtfully (vicāra) rather than assumed.
From the verse alone, the speaker is an unnamed elder addressing “putra” (son). Identifying the exact dialogue pair (e.g., Pulastya–Bhīṣma or Śiva–Pārvatī) requires the surrounding verses of Adhyaya 6.