Shloka 61
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
न मनुष्यस्तुतिं कुर्यान्नात्मानमवमानयेत् । अभ्युद्यतं न प्रणमेत्परमर्माणि नो वदेत्
na manuṣyastutiṃ kuryānnātmānamavamānayet | abhyudyataṃ na praṇametparamarmāṇi no vadet
Man soll Menschen nicht schmeicheln und sich selbst nicht herabsetzen. Man soll sich nicht vor dem verneigen, der zum Schlag erhoben ist, und nicht von den tiefsten Verwundbarkeiten eines anderen sprechen.
Unknown (context not provided; verse presented standalone)
Concept: Maintain dignified conduct: avoid flattery, self-deprecation, unsafe submission to aggression, and disclosure of another’s deepest wounds.
Application: Practice truthful, non-manipulative speech; set boundaries with violent or unstable persons; never weaponize confidential information; cultivate self-respect without pride.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet hermitage veranda where a sage instructs a young prince in the ethics of speech and dignity. In the background, a tense figure raises a hand in anger, while the prince remains composed, refusing unsafe obeisance and refusing to expose another’s hidden pain.","primary_figures":["a teaching sage (ṛṣi)","a princely listener (Rāma archetype)","an aggressive courtier/warrior as cautionary figure"],"setting":"forest āśrama with palm-leaf manuscripts, kusa grass seat, and a small sacrificial fire; distant river glinting through trees","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","smoke gray","ochre","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene sage seated on a jeweled wooden pīṭha instructing a blue-hued princely figure with folded hands held at chest (not prostrating), a cautionary angry figure behind with raised arm; gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, ornate borders, temple-lamp glow, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hermitage scene with refined faces, the sage gesturing toward a palm-leaf text on nīti; the prince listens calmly; a distant figure in agitation is softened into a moral vignette; cool greens and soft browns, Himalayan-like trees, lyrical naturalism, fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, warm yellow-ochre skin tones for sages, stylized large eyes; the sage’s hand in teaching mudrā, the prince poised and dignified; background with simplified forest and a small agni-kunda; natural pigments with red/green dominance and temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vaishnava moral tableau framed by lotus and tulasi borders; central dignified prince before a sage, with peacocks and cows at the margins symbolizing gentleness; deep blue and gold accents, intricate floral filigree, Nathdwara-inspired composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","forest birds","gentle wind through leaves","low crackle of sacred fire","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यान्न = कुर्यात् + न; नात्मानम् = न + आत्मानम्; प्रणमेत्परमर्माणि = प्रणमेत् + परमर्माणि; नो वदेत् = न + वदेत्.
FAQs
It teaches balanced dignity: avoid flattering others for gain, avoid self-deprecation, do not submit to imminent violence, and do not weaponize knowledge of others’ sensitive weaknesses.
It restricts speech that manipulates (flattery) or harms (exposing another’s ‘marmas’), emphasizing restraint, respect, and non-cruel communication.
Literally “another’s vital points,” it commonly signifies a person’s most sensitive vulnerabilities—private wounds or weaknesses—which should not be spoken of or exploited.