Shloka 28
Narrative of the Śūdra’s Renunciation of Greed
with the Tulādhāra Greatness Prelude
अवकोटे नदीतीरे स्थितस्संस्थाप्य सादरम् । स दृष्ट्वा वस्त्रयुग्मं तन्न लोभे कुरते मनः
avakoṭe nadītīre sthitassaṃsthāpya sādaram | sa dṛṣṭvā vastrayugmaṃ tanna lobhe kurate manaḥ
Ehrfürchtig am Flussufer in Avakoṭa niedergelassen, sah er ein Paar Gewänder; doch sein Geist wandte sich nicht zur Gier danach.
Narrator (contextual speaker not explicit from the single verse)
Concept: Seeing an object of value does not necessitate desire; mastery is the mind’s refusal to turn toward greed.
Application: Practice ‘seeing without seizing’: pause before acting on desire, name the impulse, and let it pass; cultivate gratitude and contentment as antidotes to acquisitiveness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the quiet bank of a river at Avakoṭa, an ascetic sits respectfully, posture straight, eyes lowered in calm. Nearby lies a pair of garments placed as bait; the river glides past, reflecting the sky, while the ascetic’s mind remains unmoved—still as the water’s deep current.","primary_figures":["austere devotee/ascetic","subtle presence of the tester (optional, hidden behind a tree)"],"setting":"riverbank with smooth stones, reeds, a small shrine-stone or tulasi-less simple altar, distant village silhouettes","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["river silver","midnight blue","stone gray","pale saffron","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: riverbank scene with stylized waves and lotus-like ripples; ascetic seated in dignified calm, garments placed nearby; gold leaf highlights on the river’s reflections and the ascetic’s aura; ornate border in deep red and green, traditional compositional symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical river landscape with delicate reeds and pebbles; cool moonlight washes the scene; the garments rendered with fine textile detail; the ascetic’s serene face and lowered gaze emphasized with refined brushwork.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines for the seated figure and flowing river bands; moon disc and halo motifs; natural pigments—deep blue background with yellow-white highlights; temple-wall aesthetic framing the moral stillness.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river rendered as patterned bands with lotus motifs; central ascetic framed by ornate floral borders; the garments stylized as a small narrative symbol; deep indigo and gold detailing, devotional symmetry and intricate ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","night insects","soft bell chime","long silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थितः + संस्थाप्य → स्थितस्संस्थाप्य; तत् + न → तन्न
FAQs
It locates the episode at Avakoṭa on a riverbank, reflecting the Purāṇic habit of grounding ethical narratives in identifiable tīrtha-like landscapes.
By showing restraint and purity of mind even when desirable objects appear, it supports the devotional ideal that inner disposition (non-possessiveness) protects spiritual focus.
The verse teaches non-greed: seeing an attractive object does not require taking it; mastery is shown when the mind does not incline toward lobha (covetousness).