Shloka 14
Qualities and Faults of Heaven; Karma-Bhumi vs Phala-Bhumi; Turning to Viṣṇu’s Supreme Abode
निर्दोषाः शाश्वता येन्ये तांस्त्वं लोकान्वद द्विज । जैमिनिरुवाच । आब्रह्मसदनादेव दोषाः संति च वै नृप
nirdoṣāḥ śāśvatā yenye tāṃstvaṃ lokānvada dvija | jaiminiruvāca | ābrahmasadanādeva doṣāḥ saṃti ca vai nṛpa
«Ô deux-fois-né, dis-moi quels sont ces autres mondes, sans tache et éternels.» Jaimini dit : «Ô roi, des défauts existent en vérité, jusque dans la demeure même de Brahmā.»
Jaimini (responding to a king addressed as nṛpa; the questioner is addressed as dvija in the verse)
Concept: All conditioned worlds, even Brahmaloka, remain within the ambit of defect and impermanence; seek the unconditioned goal.
Application: Cultivate vairāgya: do not absolutize status, achievement, or even ‘heavenly’ rewards; orient practice toward lasting liberation through devotion and purity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast cosmic vista rises through layered heavens to Brahmā’s radiant palace, yet faint cracks of shadow—symbols of doṣa—thread even its splendor. Below, a questioning dvija and a king stand on a lotus-like platform of discourse, while Jaimini points upward, redirecting the gaze beyond the created cosmos.","primary_figures":["Jaimini","a king (nṛpa)","a dvija questioner","Brahmā (distant, enthroned)"],"setting":"cosmic tiered heavens culminating in Brahmaloka; a lotus dais for the dialogue","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with a subtle veil of impermanence","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","pearl white","deep indigo","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Jaimini seated on an ornate lotus pedestal addressing a crowned king and a dvija, with Brahmaloka depicted above as a gold-leaf palace of Brahmā; use heavy gold leaf for halos and palace filigree, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, and a faint dark gradient at the edges to suggest doṣa even in heaven; traditional South Indian iconography and symmetrical composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical, layered sky of ascending lokas with delicate cloud bands; Jaimini gestures upward while the king listens with folded hands; Brahmā’s abode appears as a small, refined pavilion in the upper register; cool indigo and lavender washes, fine facial features, and subtle symbolism of imperfection as thin shadow-lines across the celestial architecture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and temple-wall aesthetic; Jaimini and the king in the foreground with stylized eyes and patterned garments; above them, Brahmā in a circular mandala-palace rendered in red/yellow/green pigments, with a darker border ring indicating saṃsāric limitation; strong decorative motifs and rhythmic cloud forms.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a cosmic lotus field with concentric realms; Jaimini and the king at the base, while the upper center shows a gilded Brahmā pavilion framed by floral borders; incorporate lotus motifs and ornate borders in deep blue and gold, with subtle dark motifs (withered petals) to indicate doṣa; intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple bell","soft drone (tanpura)","distant conch","vast silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ये+अन्ये→येन्ये (ए+अ→एऽ; लेखने 'येन्ये'); तान्+त्वम्→तांस्त्वं (न्→ं before त्); लोकान्+वद→लोकान्वद (न्→न् before व); जैमिनिः+उवाच→जैमिनिरुवाच; आब्रह्मसदनात्+एव→आब्रह्मसदनादेव (त्→द् before vowel)
FAQs
Yes. Jaimini states that doṣas (defects/limitations) exist “even up to Brahmā’s abode,” implying that conditioned imperfections persist through the highest cosmic realms.
The question seeks realms that are both nirdoṣa (free from defect) and śāśvata (permanent). Jaimini’s reply suggests such absolute faultlessness is not found within the created cosmic hierarchy culminating in Brahmaloka.
The verse implies that merely attaining higher worlds is not the final solution to suffering or limitation; one should seek a goal beyond cosmically exalted but still conditioned realms.