Shloka 138
Origin of the Lunar Dynasty: Soma’s Rise, the Tārā Abduction War, Budha–Purūravas Genealogy, and Kārtavīrya Arjuna
सद्भावेन महाराजः प्रजाधर्मेण पालयन् । कार्तवीर्यार्जुनो नाम राजा बाहुसहस्रधृत्
sadbhāvena mahārājaḥ prajādharmeṇa pālayan | kārtavīryārjuno nāma rājā bāhusahasradhṛt
Avec une intention noble, le grand roi—protégeant ses sujets selon le dharma dû au peuple—était un souverain nommé Kārtavīrya Arjuna, renommé comme le roi aux mille bras.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator; specific speaker not stated in the given excerpt)
Concept: Rulership becomes meritorious when grounded in sadbhāva (noble intent) and prajā-dharma (duty toward subjects).
Application: Lead with integrity; treat responsibility (family, work, community) as protective service rather than entitlement.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A thousand-armed Kārtavīrya Arjuna stands in a royal court, palms bearing emblems of protection and charity, while ministers and citizens gather in orderly peace. His posture is calm yet formidable, suggesting power restrained by dharma, with a subtle aura of divine sanction behind the throne.","primary_figures":["Kārtavīrya Arjuna","royal ministers","citizens/suppliants"],"setting":"ancient royal sabhā with carved pillars, lion-throne, banners, and orderly rows of subjects seeking justice","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep vermilion","antique gold","sapphire blue","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kārtavīrya Arjuna seated on a lion-throne in a pillared sabhā, thousand arms arranged in symmetrical halos holding royal insignia (bow, conch-like emblem, lotus, gift-vessel), gold leaf background with embossed arch, rich reds and greens, gem-studded crown and ornaments, South Indian iconographic clarity, citizens at the base offering petitions, ornate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined court scene with Kārtavīrya Arjuna depicted with multiple arms in delicate rhythmic arcs, cool yet regal palette, fine facial features, attendants with flywhisks, distant palace terraces and a soft sky gradient, lyrical naturalism and intricate textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments, Kārtavīrya with multiple arms forming a mandala-like composition, large expressive eyes, red/yellow/green dominant palette, stylized palace pillars and lamp flames, dharmic calm on the king’s face.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: royal sabhā framed by lotus creepers and floral borders, stylized attendants and peacocks at corners, deep indigo ground with gold highlights, Kārtavīrya centered like a devotional icon, intricate textile motifs and symmetrical ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low mridangam pulse","courtly ambience","conch shell (distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सद्भावेन = सत् + भावेन (द्-आगम); कार्तवीर्यार्जुनः = कार्तवीर्य + अर्जुनः; बाहुसहस्रधृत् = बाहु-सहस्र-धृत् (समास)
FAQs
He is presented as a renowned king, identified by name as Kārtavīrya Arjuna, celebrated with the epithet “bāhusahasradhṛt” (the thousand-armed).
The verse highlights governance rooted in sadbhāva (upright intention) and the protection of subjects according to prajādharma—duty oriented toward the people’s welfare.
Not directly; it primarily frames a moral-political ideal (dharma-based protection of subjects) through the example of a famous king.