Shloka 17
Description of the Demons’ Austerities
Why the Gods Won
सत्यधर्मविहीनास्ते तथायांति यमक्षयम् । साधारणः प्राणिनां च धर्म एष सुपुत्रकाः
satyadharmavihīnāste tathāyāṃti yamakṣayam | sādhāraṇaḥ prāṇināṃ ca dharma eṣa suputrakāḥ
Quienes carecen de verdad y de dharma van, conforme a ello, al reino de Yama. Éste es el deber común de todos los seres vivientes, oh buenos hijos.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher addressing 'suputrakāḥ')
Concept: Truth (satya) and righteousness (dharma) are universal obligations; their absence leads to Yama’s domain—moral causality is inescapable.
Application: Practice truthfulness in speech and dealings; align livelihood and relationships with fairness; treat dharma as non-negotiable, not situational.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast, austere hall of judgment opens in the shadowed realm of Yama: iron-black pillars, a luminous ledger of deeds, and a central throne where Dharma’s stern gaze weighs truth against falsehood. Souls approach in procession, some radiant with merit, others bowed by the heaviness of their own untruth.","primary_figures":["Yama","Chitragupta","Yamadūtas","Departed souls (jīvas)"],"setting":"Yama’s court with cosmic scales, scrolls of karma, a distant river-like boundary of the afterworld","lighting_mood":"somber, ember-lit with cold highlights—judicial and unyielding","color_palette":["obsidian black","smoky crimson","ashen gray","dull gold","pale cyan glow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yama enthroned with gold leaf aura and ornate crown, Chitragupta holding palm-leaf records, symmetrical court composition with gem-studded ornaments; deep maroons and greens, gold embellishment on the karmic scales and halo, stylized yamadūtas flanking the throne.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined architectural court with delicate linework; Yama in dark blue/black complexion, subtle expressions on approaching souls, cool shadows and controlled reds, intricate detailing of scrolls and scales, atmospheric depth suggesting the otherworld.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments; Yama with large eyes and commanding posture, Chitragupta beside him, patterned pillars and flame motifs, dominant reds/yellows/greens with dark indigo background, ritualistic symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical ‘court of karma’ framed by ornate floral borders and lotus medallions; deep blue ground with gold motifs, stylized figures and decorative script-like patterns suggesting karmic records, peacock-feather-like flourishes transformed into flame motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple drum","metallic gong","distant conch","echoing hall reverb","measured silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यधर्मविहीनाः + ते → सत्यधर्मविहीनास्ते; तथा + आयान्ति → तथायान्ति (आ + यान्ति); यमक्षयम् = यम + क्षयम् (समास); धर्म + एषः → धर्म एष (विसर्ग-सन्धि न लिखित)
FAQs
It states that people lacking truth and righteousness go to Yama’s abode, implying a karmic consequence after death.
It means a universal or common duty—basic ethical righteousness expected of all beings, not limited to a specific caste, stage of life, or ritual role.
The verse teaches that truthfulness and adherence to dharma are foundational moral obligations, and their absence leads to negative post-mortem consequences.