Shloka 2
The Legend of Hemakuṇḍala: Charity, Decline of the Sons, and Yama’s Judgment
आसीद्वैश्यः कुबेराभो नामतो हेमकुंडलः । कुलीनः सत्क्रियो देवद्विजपावकपूजकः
āsīdvaiśyaḥ kuberābho nāmato hemakuṃḍalaḥ | kulīnaḥ satkriyo devadvijapāvakapūjakaḥ
Il y eut un vaiśya, rayonnant tel Kubera, nommé Hemakuṇḍala. De noble lignée, de conduite irréprochable, il vénérait avec dévotion les devas, les dvijas et le Feu sacré.
Narrator (contextual; explicit speaker not stated in this single verse)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आसीद्वैश्यः = आसीत् + वैश्यः (त् + व → द्व्); अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-संधिः न।
FAQs
Hemakuṇḍala is introduced as a Vaiśya of noble birth, praised for good conduct and for honoring the gods, the twice-born, and the sacred fire—markers of an orthodox dhārmic householder.
Kubera symbolizes wealth and splendor; the comparison indicates Hemakuṇḍala’s prosperity or radiant presence, often used in Purāṇic narrative to signal status and merit.
It highlights the householder ideal: reverence for divine order (devas), respect and support of learned communities (dvijas), and maintenance of sacred duty through fire-ritual and disciplined practice (pāvaka/Agni).