Shloka 53
The Supremacy of Food-Charity and the Rāma–Śambūka Episode
Child Revived through Rājadharma
पुरे वा राजशार्दूल कुरुते दुर्मतिर्नरः । क्षिप्रं स नरकं याति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्
pure vā rājaśārdūla kurute durmatirnaraḥ | kṣipraṃ sa narakaṃ yāti yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam
O Tiger unter den Königen: Ein Mensch von böser Gesinnung, der eine solche Tat in einer Stadt begeht, fährt schnell zur Hölle und bleibt dort bis zur kosmischen Auflösung.
Unspecified (verse addresses a king as 'rājaśārdūla')
Concept: Public wrongdoing driven by wicked intent leads swiftly to naraka, with punishment extending up to cosmic dissolution—emphasizing the gravity of adharma.
Application: Guard intention (saṅkalpa) as well as action; avoid normalizing wrongdoing in public institutions; cultivate accountability and transparent ethics.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bustling ancient city street freezes as a shadow of sin spreads across its stones; the wrongdoer, eyes narrowed with malice, is seized by unseen forces. Above, the sky opens into a terrifying vista of time—kalpas rolling like storm clouds—suggesting punishment lasting until pralaya.","primary_figures":["Wicked-intent man (durmati)","Yamadūtas (partially visible)","Terrified townspeople (as witnesses)"],"setting":"Ancient city avenue with market stalls, palace walls in the distance, and a supernatural rift revealing cosmic time","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","storm violet","ember orange","stone gray","pale cyan"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: city scene with ornate architecture; gold leaf highlights on palace edges and cosmic rift; yamadūtas emerging from shadow; dramatic flames in the rift; rich reds/greens in garments, heavy jewelry, and a strong moral focal point on the sinner’s face.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: detailed cityscape with fine lines; subdued crowd reactions; the cosmic rift painted as a delicate swirling mandala of time; cool palette with selective warm accents; emphasis on narrative clarity and psychological dread.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized city gate; yamadūtas in dynamic posture; swirling pralaya clouds above; saturated reds and yellows against deep blue; expressive eyes and clear storytelling panels.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: city rendered as patterned architecture; border of lotus motifs turning into darkened buds; cosmic dissolution shown as a circular mandala overhead; deep indigo cloth with gold and orange highlights, intricate floral borders framing the warning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["city murmur fading to silence","conch blast","heavy drum","wind gust"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुर्मतिर्नरः = दुर्मतिः नरः; भवेत्तत्तथा (elsewhere) not in this verse. यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् = यावत् आभूतसंप्लवम् (यावत् + आ...).
FAQs
It teaches that deliberate wrongdoing (durmati) brings severe karmic consequences—swift descent to naraka—emphasizing personal responsibility and moral restraint.
It indicates an extremely long duration—punishment lasting until a cosmic dissolution (pralaya) associated with the reabsorption or upheaval of the elements.
It is a respectful epithet meaning “tiger among kings,” used to address a ruler and underscore that even those in power must uphold dharma.