Shloka 10
The Account of Sunīthā
within the Vena Narrative
स वै शांतः स जितात्मा ताडयंतं न ताडयेत् । निर्दोषं प्रति येनापि ताडनं च कृतं सुते
sa vai śāṃtaḥ sa jitātmā tāḍayaṃtaṃ na tāḍayet | nirdoṣaṃ prati yenāpi tāḍanaṃ ca kṛtaṃ sute
Vraiment, celui qui est paisible et maître de soi ne doit pas frapper même celui qui frappe. Et frapper l’innocent—par qui que ce soit—ne doit pas être fait, ô fils.
Unspecified (didactic narrator addressing a son/young interlocutor as 'sute')
Concept: Śānti and jitātmatā (self-conquest) are proven by refusing to strike back; harming the innocent is prohibited for all.
Application: Practice pause-and-breathe before reacting; choose protective, lawful restraint over revenge; treat the ‘innocent’ (children, dependents, subordinates) as inviolable.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher addresses a young student (‘sute’) beneath a banyan tree, demonstrating calm by lowering a raised stick and placing it aside. In the background, an agitated man is restrained not by blows but by firm, compassionate presence.","primary_figures":["a serene teacher","a young listener (son/disciple)","an agitated striker in the background"],"setting":"gurukula courtyard with a small Viṣṇu altar and tulasī planter, suggesting ethical training as part of devotional life","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","banyan-leaf green","sandstone beige","sky blue","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene guru with a gold halo instructs a young disciple, gently setting aside a stick; ornate Viṣṇu altar with conch and discus motifs, tulasī pot, gold leaf highlights on jewelry and lamp, rich reds/greens, symmetrical composition with decorative borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dawn light filters through banyan leaves; the guru’s calm gesture contrasts with a distant quarrel; delicate brushwork, soft gradients, refined faces, cool sky blues and gentle greens, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines show the guru teaching śānti and jitātmatā; stylized banyan, tulasī pot, and Viṣṇu symbols; warm red-yellow-green pigments, frontal calm expressions, temple-wall panel feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central teaching scene framed by lotus and creeper borders; subtle Viṣṇu iconography (śaṅkha-cakra) in the background, peacocks near the tulasī planter, deep blue field with gold detailing, devotional ambience."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["morning birds","tanpura drone","soft bell at a home shrine","gentle breeze through leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ताडयंतं = ताडयन्तम् (अनुस्वार-लेखन); येनापि = येन + अपि (स्वर-सन्धि: अ + अ → आ).
FAQs
It teaches ahiṃsā (non-violence) and kṣamā (forbearance): a disciplined person should not retaliate, and must never harm the innocent.
The verse praises restraint even under provocation (“do not strike one who strikes”), presenting a high ideal of self-mastery; it also explicitly condemns harming the blameless.
“Sute” signals a teaching context—an elder instructing a younger listener—framing the statement as moral guidance within a dialogue or counsel.