Shloka 167
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
दिव्यानां पार्थिवानां च राजसूये क्षयः श्रुतः । स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल बुद्ध्या संचिंत्य पार्थिव
divyānāṃ pārthivānāṃ ca rājasūye kṣayaḥ śrutaḥ | sa tvaṃ puruṣaśārdūla buddhyā saṃciṃtya pārthiva
Man hört, dass selbst für die Götter und für irdische Könige beim Rājasūya-Opfer Verderben eintreten kann. Darum, du Tiger unter den Menschen, bedenke dies mit Unterscheidungskraft, o König.
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/sage addressing a king)
Concept: Ritual power without discernment can become a cause of ruin; dharmic intelligence (buddhi) must govern royal ambition.
Application: Before pursuing status-driven goals (titles, recognition, grand ceremonies), examine motives, consequences, and ethical costs; choose restraint when ego is being fed.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast sacrificial arena with towering yajña-posts and smoke curling upward, yet a shadow of ominous clouds gathers at the edge, hinting at the fragility of royal glory. A sage leans toward a crowned king, raising a hand in gentle warning, while courtiers pause mid-ritual, sensing the gravity of counsel.","primary_figures":["a dharma-teaching sage","a warrior-king (pārthiva)","priests (ṛtviks)"],"setting":"Rājasūya yajña-śālā with vedi, sacrificial fires, banners, and assembled kings; distant horizon darkening","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoke gray","saffron ember","ivory white","deep maroon","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a regal king seated near a blazing yajña fire as a venerable sage admonishes him about the peril of Rājasūya; gold leaf halos around the sage and sacred fire, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded crowns, ornate pillars and vedi details, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, intricate floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet moment in a royal sacrifice pavilion where a sage counsels a thoughtful king; delicate brushwork, cool muted palette with warm fire-glow accents, refined faces, patterned carpets, distant hills and a brooding sky, lyrical naturalism and fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures of a sage and king beside the yajña fire, expressive eyes, stylized flames and ritual implements, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition with decorative bands and auspicious motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a symbolic yajña scene framed by lotus and floral borders, emphasizing dharma over pride; intricate ornamentation, deep indigo background with gold highlights, ritual fire at center, attendants and priests in rhythmic arrangement, ornate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple bells","crackling sacrificial fire","murmured Vedic chants","conch shell in the distance","brief silences for emphasis"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संचिंत्य = सम् + चिन्त्य (सम्-उपसर्गपूर्वक ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय). अन्यत्र प्रमुखसन्धिः न।
FAQs
It cautions that grand royal rituals like the Rājasūya can still lead to downfall, so a king should act with careful discernment rather than pride or haste.
The verse universalizes the warning: status—whether celestial or royal—does not guarantee immunity from decline if one’s motives or conduct around power and ritual are flawed.
Kingship should be guided by buddhi (discriminating intelligence): evaluate consequences, restrain ego, and prioritize dharma over mere display of sovereignty.