Shloka 8
The Glory of Plastering/Smearing (and Maintaining) Hari’s Temple
वृत्तिच्छेदी द्विजातीनां न्यासापहारकस्तथा । शरणागतहंता च वेश्याविभ्रमलोलुपः
vṛtticchedī dvijātīnāṃ nyāsāpahārakastathā | śaraṇāgatahaṃtā ca veśyāvibhramalolupaḥ
जो द्विजों की आजीविका काट दे, धरोहर (न्यास) हड़प ले, शरण में आए का वध करे और वेश्याओं के मोह में लोलुप रहे—वह घोर पापियों में गिना जाता है।
Unspecified (verse appears within a didactic listing of sins; speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone).
Concept: Violations of trust and protection—stealing entrusted goods, killing the surrendered, undermining sacred livelihoods—are portrayed as severe adharma with heavy karmic consequence.
Application: Honor commitments; never exploit dependents; protect those seeking help; treat fiduciary trust as sacred.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A courtroom-like moral scene: Daṇḍaka stands accused as symbolic figures of Trust (Nyāsa) and Refuge (Śaraṇāgata) appear wounded, while a brāhmaṇa family sits in hardship, their livelihood cut. Above the assembly, a faint Viṣṇu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) glows, implying cosmic justice that will later turn into mercy through devotion.","primary_figures":["Daṇḍaka","personification of Trust (Nyāsa)","a refugee/surrendered figure (Śaraṇāgata)","brāhmaṇa household","symbolic Viṣṇu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra)"],"setting":"Symbolic dharma-sabhā with pillars, weighing scales, scrolls, and a distant temple banner","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["crimson","antique gold","midnight blue","parchment tan","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dharma-sabhā composition with gold leaf on scales of justice and Viṣṇu’s śaṅkha-cakra emblem; Daṇḍaka central with tense posture; brāhmaṇa family and surrendered figure depicted with pathos; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, jewel-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court scene with delicate expressions; parchment-like background, cool blues and soft gold; symbolic scales and scrolls; distant temple flag; emotional restraint with clear moral narrative.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized sabhā pillars; strong red/yellow/green palette; Viṣṇu emblem glowing above; figures with large eyes conveying accusation and sorrow.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of lotus and vine motifs framing a moral tableau; central scales motif; deep indigo ground with gold detailing; subtle inclusion of temple banner and floral filigree to contrast dharma with transgression."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low drum","temple bell strikes","murmurs of assembly","conch in distance","heavy silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वृत्तिच्छेदी = वृत्ति + छेदी; न्यासापहारकः = न्यास + अपहारकः; शरणागतहंता = शरणागत + हंता; वेश्याविभ्रमलोलुपः = वेश्या + विभ्रम + लोलुपः; काव्य-लिप्यन्तरभेदे ‘हंता’ = ‘हन्ता’ (हन्तृ-प्रातिपदिक) इति ग्रहणम्।
FAQs
It condemns four serious wrongs: destroying the livelihood of the twice-born, stealing entrusted property (nyāsa), killing someone who has sought refuge, and being driven by lust for the seductive charms of prostitutes.
The verse stresses protection of the vulnerable (the refuge-seeker), integrity with entrusted wealth, and restraint from exploitative or degrading desires—core pillars of dharma.
Because a nyāsa is property given in trust; taking it violates a sacred social and moral obligation, making it both theft and betrayal.