Shloka 49
Narrative of the Śūdra’s Renunciation of Greed
with the Tulādhāra Greatness Prelude
शूद्र उवाच । न मे वित्ते स्पृहा चास्ति धनं संसार वागुरा । तद्विधौ पतितो मर्त्यो न पुनर्मोक्षकं व्रजेत्
śūdra uvāca | na me vitte spṛhā cāsti dhanaṃ saṃsāra vāgurā | tadvidhau patito martyo na punarmokṣakaṃ vrajet
Der Śūdra sprach: „Ich hege kein Verlangen nach Reichtum. Besitz ist ein Fangnetz des Saṃsāra. Wer als Sterblicher in das Netz dieses Strebens fällt, gelangt nicht wieder auf den Pfad zur Befreiung (mokṣa).“
Śūdra
Concept: Wealth is a net that entangles the soul in saṃsāra; craving for it obstructs the path to liberation.
Application: Practice contentment, simplify desires, and use necessary resources as stewardship for dharma (dāna, seva) rather than identity; cultivate daily remembrance of Viṣṇu as the real refuge.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble Śūdra stands calmly before a glittering heap of coins and ornaments that morph into a net ensnaring shadowy figures, illustrating ‘saṃsāra-vāgura’. Behind him, a simple altar with a Viṣṇu symbol (śaṅkha-cakra) and a lamp suggests the alternative wealth of devotion and liberation.","primary_figures":["Śūdra (speaker)","Tempter/wealth-offerer (optional, subdued)","Shadowy bound figures in the net (symbolic)","Viṣṇu emblem or small icon on altar"],"setting":"Edge of a village courtyard transitioning into a symbolic space where wealth becomes a net; small devotional altar nearby.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["earthy ochre","lamp-gold","copper brown","deep teal","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dignified Śūdra with serene expression and simple garments, a gold-leaf highlighted net formed from coins and jewelry ensnaring faint figures, a small Viṣṇu shrine with conch and discus motifs, rich reds/greens in borders, gem-like detailing on the ‘wealth-net’ to emphasize temptation while the speaker remains unadorned.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle village setting with delicate brushwork, the Śūdra speaking with calm conviction, coins subtly transforming into a fine net pattern, soft lamp glow near a small altar, cool natural palette with refined facial features conveying detachment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, the net rendered as rhythmic lattice over shadow-figures, the Śūdra centered with steady gaze, strong red/yellow/green pigments, a stylized Viṣṇu emblem on a lamp-lit pedestal, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition with ornate floral borders, deep blue background, the wealth-net patterned like a decorative textile motif trapping small silhouettes, central Śūdra figure in calm stance, a small Viṣṇu emblem above, lotus motifs suggesting liberation beyond entanglement, gold accents for contrast."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","tanpura drone","gentle hand cymbals (manjira)","quiet village ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: च + अस्ति → चास्ति. तद् + विधौ → तद्विधौ. पुनः + मोक्षकम् → पुनर्मोक्षकम् (रुत्व-सन्धि). ‘संसार वागुरा’ इति पाठे ‘संसारवागुरा’ इति समासोऽपि सम्भवः; अत्र पदच्छेदेन द्वे पदे गृहीते।
FAQs
It targets craving and entanglement—wealth is described as a “snare” when it becomes the object of fixation that binds one to saṃsāra.
It frames liberation as obstructed by obsessive pursuit of material gain; detachment (vairāgya) is presented as supportive of moving toward mokṣa.
Cultivate contentment and discernment: do not let acquisition become a life-consuming aim, because it can trap the mind in repeated worldly cycles rather than spiritual freedom.