Shloka 17
भैक्ष्येण वर्तयेन्नित्यं नैकान्नादी भवेत्क्वच्चित् । यस्तु मोहेन वान्यस्मादेकान्नादी भवेद्यतिः
bhaikṣyeṇa vartayennityaṃ naikānnādī bhavetkvaccit | yastu mohena vānyasmādekānnādī bhavedyatiḥ
Ein Entsagender soll sich stets von Almosen erhalten und niemals zu einem werden, der nur aus einem einzigen Haus speist. Doch der Asket, der aus Verblendung oder aus irgendeinem anderen Grund zum „Ein-Haus-Esser“ (ekānnādī) wird, begeht einen Fehltritt.
Unspecified (narrative injunction in Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: A renunciant must live by alms without forming exclusive dependence on a single house; attachment disguised as routine is spiritual delusion.
Application: Avoid ‘single-source’ dependency that creates obligation and bias; cultivate gratitude while keeping boundaries; rotate supports and keep motives transparent.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wandering yati with a begging bowl walks a sunlit lane, receiving small portions from several doorways—grains, fruit, and water—never lingering at any one threshold. A faint shadow of Māyā is shown as a subtle chain near one wealthy house, illustrating the danger of exclusive dependence.","primary_figures":["Vaishnava yati (with kamaṇḍalu and pātra)","householders (multiple)","symbolic Māyā (subtle motif)"],"setting":"Village street with mud-plastered homes, threshold rangoli, a small shrine niche with Viṣṇu lamp.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","saffron","indigo shadow","rice-white","brass-gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: yati with vertical tilaka holding pātra and kamaṇḍalu, receiving alms from multiple households in a single framed procession; gold leaf on brass vessels and shrine lamp, rich reds/greens, ornate borders, devotional clarity emphasizing aparigraha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle village lane, delicate figures at several doorways offering small portions; cool palette with refined linework, lyrical trees and distant hills, subtle narrative symbolism of attachment as a faint chain motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized houses and figures; yati centered, multiple hands offering alms; red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall composition, didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: procession-like bhikṣā scene framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; deep blue ground with gold highlights; small shrine elements and peacocks at corners, emphasizing humility and devotional wandering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft footsteps","clink of begging bowl","door creaks","low village murmur","distant conch from temple"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्तयेन्नित्यं = वर्तयेत् नित्यम्; नैकान्नादी = न एकान्नादी; भवेत्क्वच्चित् = भवेत् क्वचित्; यस्तु = यः तु; वान्यस्माद् = वा अन्यस्मात्; भवेद्यतिः = भवेत् यतिः.
FAQs
The verse prescribes living on bhikṣā (alms) and avoiding dependence on a single household for food.
It refers to an ascetic who habitually eats from only one source/household, creating attachment, obligation, or dependence—considered improper for renunciation.
Maintain non-attachment and independence: a renunciant should avoid exclusive patronage and live in a way that minimizes ties, favoritism, and worldly dependence.