Shloka 13
Karmas Leading to Hell and Heaven
Ethical Catalog of Destinies
काष्ठैर्वा शंकुभिर्वापि शून्यैरश्मभिरेव वा । ये मार्गानुपरुंधंति ते वै निरयगामिनः
kāṣṭhairvā śaṃkubhirvāpi śūnyairaśmabhireva vā | ye mārgānuparuṃdhaṃti te vai nirayagāminaḥ
Que ce soit avec des morceaux de bois, des pieux, ou même des pierres et d’autres entraves, ceux qui barrent les routes vont assurément en enfer.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa ethical instruction; commonly framed in the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue context)
Concept: Creating obstacles on public roads is a punishable adharma; harming communal movement and safety leads to naraka.
Application: Do not block public pathways physically or socially (e.g., harassment, gatekeeping); support accessibility—help travelers, keep entrances clear, assist elders; treat ‘path’ as sacred because it carries pilgrims and seekers.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dusty road leading to a distant temple spire: pilgrims with water pots and garlands approach, but a cruel figure has strewn sharp stakes and stones across the path. A guardian-like dharma presence—subtle, luminous—stands beside the pilgrims, while the obstructer is cast in harsh shadow, foreshadowing the descent into a dark ravine symbolizing naraka.","primary_figures":["pilgrims (yātrikas)","a road-obstructer (symbolic antagonist)","a subtle Dharma/guardian presence (allegorical)"],"setting":"Rural road to a temple/tīrtha; roadside trees; distant shrine silhouette.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","stone gray","marigold orange","temple gold","shadow black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: A temple-bound pilgrimage road with ornate temple gopura in the distance, pilgrims in bright garments, and a villain scattering stakes and stones; gold leaf highlights on the temple and pilgrims’ ornaments; embossed textures for stones and road; dramatic contrast between luminous devotees and darkened obstructer.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Winding hillside path with delicate trees and a small temple on a ridge; pilgrims rendered with fine detail; obstacles placed across the path; soft atmospheric perspective, cool greens and warm ochres, lyrical narrative composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Stylized road as a bold band across the panel; iconic pilgrims in profile, villain at center with exaggerated gesture; strong outlines, flat yet vibrant color fields, temple motif at the top, ornamental borders with conch and lotus patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Decorative procession of pilgrims framed by floral borders; the road patterned with repeating motifs; obstacles depicted as sharp geometric forms; peacocks and lotuses in corners; deep blue background with gold and orange highlights, devotional procession aesthetic."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on gravel","distant temple bells","wind through trees","brief conch accent"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काष्ठैर्वा = काष्ठैः + वा; शंकुभिर्वापि = शंकुभिः + वा + अपि; शून्यैरश्मभिः = शून्यैः + अश्मभिः; मार्गानुपरुंधंति = मार्गान् + अनुपरुन्धन्ति (नासिक्य/अनुस्वार-लेखनभेदः).
FAQs
It condemns deliberately obstructing public roads or pathways—creating barriers with wood, stakes, stones, or similar means.
The verse says such people become “niraya-gāminaḥ,” i.e., they are destined for naraka (hellish realms) as a karmic result.
Maintaining unobstructed, safe passage for others is a social duty; harming public welfare through obstruction is treated as serious adharma.