Shloka 24
The Yayāti Episode: Succession and Royal Dharma Instructions to Pūru
स्वको वंशः प्रकर्तव्यः परदारेषु मा कृथाः । मतिं दुष्टां परस्वेषु पूर्वानन्वेहि सर्वदा
svako vaṃśaḥ prakartavyaḥ paradāreṣu mā kṛthāḥ | matiṃ duṣṭāṃ parasveṣu pūrvānanvehi sarvadā
Prosigue tu propio linaje por el camino recto; no te acerques a la esposa ajena. No fijes una intención perversa en lo que pertenece a otros; sigue siempre la conducta de los virtuosos de antaño.
Unspecified (didactic instruction within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa narrative context)
Concept: Guard social order through sexual ethics and non-covetousness; align one’s mind with the conduct of the virtuous ancestors.
Application: Practice boundaries and integrity: avoid exploitative relationships, curb envy, and consciously model behavior on exemplary mentors and traditions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A young noble stands at a crossroads where one path is lined with thorny vines and shadowy temptations, while the other is paved with lotus motifs leading toward a serene ancestral shrine. Behind him, faint silhouettes of revered forebears gesture toward the righteous path, emphasizing memory of the virtuous.","primary_figures":["young noble/prince","ancestral sages/forebears (subtle apparitions)","personifications of temptation (symbolic)"],"setting":"A palace garden edge transitioning into a shrine courtyard with ancestral lamps and carved dharma symbols; thorny hedge on one side, lotus pond on the other.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["lotus pink","deep indigo","sage green","sandstone beige","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the prince at a symbolic forked path, ancestral figures with gold leaf halos in the background, lotus pond rendered with rich pigments, thorny temptation side in darker tones, ornate borders with gold embossing, jewelry and textiles highlighted with gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poetic moral allegory with delicate vines and lotuses, translucent ancestral presences, refined facial expressions showing inner conflict and resolve, cool greens and blues with gentle gold accents, airy architectural shrine elements.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and symbolic clarity—two contrasting paths, the prince centered, ancestors in stylized cloud forms, strong red/yellow/green palette with deep blue shadows, temple-wall narrative framing and decorative border bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus-bordered moral tableau, repeated lotus and conch motifs on the righteous path, darker floral tangles on the unrighteous side, peacocks near the lotus pond, intricate textile-like patterning, deep blues with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["silence","soft temple bell","night insects","gentle water ripple","tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वानन्वेहि = पूर्वान् + अन्वेहि; परदारेषु/परस्वेषु = षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष समास.
FAQs
It teaches core dharma: continue family life through rightful conduct, avoid adultery (paradāra-gamana), and do not covet or scheme for others’ possessions.
By urging fidelity and legitimacy in continuing one’s lineage, and by insisting on self-restraint toward others’ spouses and property—key pillars of gṛhastha-dharma.
It means “follow the predecessors”: model one’s behavior on established virtuous tradition (sadācāra), treating it as a guide for ethical decision-making.