Shloka 19
Glorification of Vārāṇasī: Kapardīśvara Liṅga and the Piśācamocana Tīrtha
प्रोवाच को भवान्कस्माद्देशाद्देशमिमं श्रितः । तस्मै पिशाचः क्षुधया पीड्यमानोऽब्रवीद्वचः
provāca ko bhavānkasmāddeśāddeśamimaṃ śritaḥ | tasmai piśācaḥ kṣudhayā pīḍyamāno'bravīdvacaḥ
Er fragte: „Wer bist du, und aus welchem Land bist du gekommen, um in diesem Gebiet Zuflucht zu suchen?“ Darauf erwiderte der Piśāca, vom Hunger gequält, mit folgenden Worten.
Narrator (introducing a dialogue); the question is posed by an unnamed interlocutor, answered by a piśāca.
Concept: Dharma begins with inquiry—asking the suffering being’s story to discern causes and appropriate remedy.
Application: When confronted with suffering, ask respectfully before judging; listen to the backstory to respond wisely.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The sage, composed yet concerned, addresses the hungry piśāca with a steady gaze, his hand gesturing in gentle questioning. The piśāca leans forward, clutching its hollow belly, about to speak—its words poised like a confession that will reshape the scene’s moral gravity.","primary_figures":["muni (questioner)","piśāca (respondent)"],"setting":"forest path near an āśrama boundary marker, with a small shrine-stone and hanging prayer-cloths","lighting_mood":"twilight—half light, half shadow","color_palette":["dusky violet","deep forest green","ashen white","copper brown","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: two-figure dialogue composition—sage on the right with gold-leaf halo and ornate border, piśāca on the left in stark tones; stylized forest backdrop, rich reds/greens, embossed gold detailing emphasizing the sage’s sanctity and the moral contrast.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: conversational intimacy with refined gestures; twilight gradient sky, slender trees, delicate facial expressions; the piśāca’s hunger shown subtly, not grotesque, with lyrical realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and expressive eyes; the sage’s questioning mudrā clear; the piśāca’s gauntness stylized; warm red-yellow background bands with green foliage motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel within ornate floral borders; the sage centered, the piśāca slightly below; lotus motifs and scrolling vines; deep blue ground with gold highlights to frame the moral dialogue."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft drone","rustling leaves","single bell strike","distant flowing water (imagined)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवान्कस्माद्देशाद्देशमिमं = भवान् + कस्मात् + देशात् + देशम् + इमम्; पीड्यमानोऽब्रवीद्वचः = पीड्यमानः + अब्रवीत् + वचः
FAQs
The verse is narrative: an unnamed person asks the questions, and the piśāca (hungry and afflicted) is introduced as the respondent.
It is a formal inquiry about identity and origin—“Who are you, and from which region have you come?”—often used to frame a moral or theological account that follows.
The scene foregrounds compassion and discernment: before judging an afflicted being (here, a piśāca), one first asks their story—identity, circumstances, and cause of suffering.