Shloka 77
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
नवार्बुदसहस्राणि दश चाष्टौ च धर्मवित् । न शोकदुःखदौर्गत्यं तस्य संजायते नृप
navārbudasahasrāṇi daśa cāṣṭau ca dharmavit | na śokaduḥkhadaurgatyaṃ tasya saṃjāyate nṛpa
O king, for the knower of dharma—for nine thousand arbuda, and ten, and eight—no sorrow, no suffering, and no misfortune arises.
Unspecified (addressing a king: nṛpa)
Concept: For the dharma-knower, immense spans of time pass without sorrow, suffering, or misfortune—dharma as a shield across life and destiny.
Application: Cultivate dharma as habit: truthful speech, non-harm, charity, and regular worship/vrata; treat ‘misfortune’ as reduced by disciplined choices and devotional orientation.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage instructs a seated king in a pillared hall, palm-leaf manuscripts open, as attendants hold a royal parasol. Behind them, a symbolic cosmic scroll unfurls with vast numerals and starry motifs, suggesting ‘arbuda’ spans of time, while the king’s face softens from anxiety into steadiness.","primary_figures":["sage/ācārya","king (nṛpa)","court attendants"],"setting":"Royal sabhā with dharma-seat, manuscripts, and a subtle cosmic backdrop motif indicating immense time cycles.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["royal maroon","antique gold","ivory parchment","midnight blue","smoky sandalwood"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage counseling a crowned king in a jeweled court, gold leaf on pillars and ornaments, manuscript details, a symbolic starry panel behind showing vast-number motifs, rich reds and greens, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court instruction scene with refined faces, delicate textiles, a quiet dignified king listening, cool architectural tones, a faint celestial band above indicating immeasurable time, fine brushwork and lyrical restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined sage and king, rhythmic court setting, warm pigments, stylized manuscript and parasol, decorative border with repeating number-like motifs to suggest arbuda spans.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: less literal court scene rendered with ornate borders, lotus and geometric motifs, deep blue background with gold highlights, central vignette of sage and king framed like a devotional narrative panel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["court ambience hush","anklet bells distant","page rustle","single bell strike","low drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नवार्बुदसहस्राणि = nava + arbuda + sahasrāṇi (समास/सन्निवेश); चाष्टौ = ca + aṣṭau; शोकदुःखदौर्गत्यं = śoka + duḥkha + daurgatyam (समाहार/समाससन्निवेश); संजायते = sam + jāyate; नृप (सम्बोधन).
FAQs
It teaches that a person established in dharma is protected from the arising of grief, suffering, and adverse fortune—presenting righteousness as a shield against inner and outer distress.
It is a hyperbolic/technical numerical duration (in very large units) emphasizing an immense span of benefit; the verse’s intent is to stress the long-lasting fruit of dharmic conduct.
A king should uphold and protect dharma, since righteousness is portrayed as the foundation for welfare—minimizing suffering and misfortune for oneself and, by extension, for one’s realm.