Shloka 119
The Establishment of Vāmana at Kānyakubja and the Sanctification of Setu
दैवतेभ्यः प्रियं कार्यं नापराध्यास्त्वया सुराः । आज्ञया राजराजस्य वर्तितव्यं त्वयानघ
daivatebhyaḥ priyaṃ kāryaṃ nāparādhyāstvayā surāḥ | ājñayā rājarājasya vartitavyaṃ tvayānagha
Tu sollst tun, was den Gottheiten lieb ist; die Götter darfst du nicht kränken. Nach dem Befehl des Königs der Könige, o Schuldloser, sollst du dich danach richten.
Unspecified (context needed to identify the dialogue pair in Adhyaya 38)
Concept: Act in ways pleasing to the devas; avoid offenses; follow rightful command—dharma is alignment with cosmic and social order.
Application: Cultivate ‘aparādha-bhaya’ (carefulness): speak truthfully, avoid disrespect to sacred beings/values, and follow legitimate authority in ethical matters.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A counselor addresses a noble, ‘sinless’ listener in a quiet council chamber, pointing toward a small shrine where lamps burn before deities. The scene emphasizes restraint and right conduct: calm faces, folded hands, and the weight of command that must be carried without arrogance.","primary_figures":["a dharmic counselor/speaker","a noble listener addressed as ‘अनघ’","deity icons (background)"],"setting":"council chamber with a side altar, palm-leaf documents, and a royal seal representing ‘rājarāja’ command","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm gold","sandalwood beige","leaf green","copper","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: courtly counsel scene with a side shrine; gold leaf on lamp flames and deity halos, rich textiles, gem-studded ornaments; the speaker’s hand in instructive gesture, the listener in respectful posture, ornate borders with auspicious motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate council interior, delicate lines, soft dawn light entering through a lattice window; refined gestures of instruction and humility, cool-warm balanced palette, minimalism conveying ethical clarity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized shrine with lamps, speaker and listener in profile; strong red-yellow-green pigments, temple-wall narrative clarity, emphasis on eyes and hand gestures of dharma teaching.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic dharma tableau with floral borders and small deity shrine; deep blue ground, gold highlights, symmetrical composition, lotus and conch motifs indicating Vaiṣṇava order behind ‘deva-priya’ conduct."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","low conch drone","soft murmurs of a court","lamp crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न + अपराध्याः → नापराध्याः (स्वर-सन्धि). नापराध्याः + त्वया → नापराध्यास्त्वया (व्यञ्जन-सन्धि).
FAQs
It teaches dharma through two duties: act in ways that please the deities and avoid committing offenses against them, while also following rightful authority (“the king of kings”).
The verse uses a royal superlative, which may refer to an emperor-like sovereign in the narrative context; in some Purāṇic usages it can also function as an exalted title. The exact referent depends on the surrounding passage of Adhyaya 38.
By instructing one to do what is pleasing to the deities and to avoid offenses (aparādha), it reflects a devotional ethic where reverence and careful conduct are integral to spiritual life.