Shloka 156
Cosmic Time, Cycles of Creation and Dissolution, and the Varāha Uplift of Earth
वैश्यानाम्मारुतं स्थानं स्वधर्ममनुवर्तिनाम् । गान्धर्वं शूद्रजातीनां परिचर्या सुवर्तिनाम्
vaiśyānāmmārutaṃ sthānaṃ svadharmamanuvartinām | gāndharvaṃ śūdrajātīnāṃ paricaryā suvartinām
Für die Vaiśyas, die ihrer eigenen vorgeschriebenen Dharma folgen, ist der Bereich Vāyus, des Windgottes, die bestimmte Heimstatt; für die Śūdra-Gemeinschaften, die in rechter Lebensführung stehen, wird durch Dienst der Gandharva-Bereich erlangt.
Unknown (context not provided for speaker identification in Adhyaya 3, Shloka 156)
Concept: Following one’s prescribed duty with propriety leads to corresponding lokas; service (paricaryā) is dignified and spiritually fruitful.
Application: Honor honest work and ethical trade; practice reliability and fairness; treat service roles as sacred—serve elders, teachers, guests, and community with humility.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A visionary sky-map unfolds: on one side, Vāyu’s realm—swift clouds, banners, and a luminous wind-deity moving through the heavens; on the other, the Gandharva realm—celestial musicians with vīṇā and drums amid fragrant gardens. Below, merchants weigh goods honestly and attendants serve with calm dignity, linking earth-dharma to heaven-fruit.","primary_figures":["Vāyu (wind-god)","Gandharvas (celestial musicians)","vaiśya householders/merchants","śūdra attendants in service"],"setting":"Earthly marketplace and household service scene blending into celestial gardens and cloud-palaces.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sky cyan","cloud white","spring green","copper brown","sunlit gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dual-register composition—lower register shows honest trade and respectful service; upper register shows Vāyu in motion with swirling gold-leaf clouds and Gandharvas in jeweled attire playing instruments; rich reds/greens, heavy gold leaf highlights, ornate borders and halos.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: airy composition with translucent clouds; Vāyu suggested by flowing scarves and wind-swept trees; Gandharvas in a garden pavilion with delicate instruments; soft pastel palette, refined faces, lyrical landscape transitions from earth to sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Vāyu with dynamic posture, Gandharvas in rhythmic line; bold outlines, flat yet vibrant color fields; decorative floral motifs and temple-wall symmetry; dominant reds, yellows, greens with black contouring.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: celestial garden filled with lotus and creepers; Gandharva musicians in circular medallions; Vāyu represented by swirling cloud-lotus motifs; intricate borders, deep blue ground with gold and white detailing, devotional textile richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["breeze through leaves","distant flute and vīṇā","soft bells","gentle footsteps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वैश्यानाम्मारुतं = वैश्यानाम् + मारुतम् (m + m gemination in writing); स्वधर्ममनुवर्तिनाम् = स्वधर्मम् + अनुवर्तिनाम्.
FAQs
It links adherence to svadharma with a specific posthumous destination, presenting moral order as causal: right conduct aligned with one’s role leads to corresponding realms.
They function as named ‘stations’ (sthāna) representing graded heavenly abodes, used to describe the fruits of disciplined life—duty for Vaiśyas and service with good conduct for Śūdras.
That consistent, righteous conduct—especially faithful performance of duty and sincere service—has spiritual consequences and is portrayed as worthy of heavenly attainment.