Signs at the Death of Sinners and the Approach of Yama’s Messengers
सुमनोवाच । श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि तस्मात्सिद्धाच्छ्रुतं मया । पापिनां मरणे कांत यादृशं लिंगमेव च
sumanovāca | śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi tasmātsiddhācchrutaṃ mayā | pāpināṃ maraṇe kāṃta yādṛśaṃ liṃgameva ca
Sumana berkata: “Dengarkan, wahai kekasih; akan kuwartakan apa yang telah kudengar dari Sang Siddha itu—wahai yang tercinta, tanda apakah yang tampak pada saat kematian para pendosa.”
Sumana
Concept: Reliable knowledge about karma’s outcomes is received through śruti-like hearing from realized sources and then compassionately communicated.
Application: Seek guidance from trustworthy teachers; practice attentive listening to dharma teachings, then apply them to correct conduct before consequences mature.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sumana raises her hand in a gentle teaching gesture, inviting attentive listening, while a faint, luminous Siddha figure appears in a small haloed vignette above—signifying the source of her knowledge. Somaśarmā leans forward respectfully, the manuscript between them open to a new section.","primary_figures":["Sumana","Somaśarmā","Siddha (visionary source figure)"],"setting":"Quiet teaching nook with manuscripts, a small incense burner, and a curtained veranda opening to the night sky.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pearl white","lapis blue","incense gray","soft gold","rosewood brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sumana instructing Somaśarmā, gold leaf halo around a small Siddha vignette above, ornate borders, rich jewel tones, detailed manuscripts and incense, devotional-teaching mood with traditional iconographic clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined indoor teaching scene, delicate gestures and expressive eyes, cool blues with warm gold highlights, a subtle celestial Siddha vignette in the upper corner, lyrical minimalism and fine textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Sumana as the central teacher figure, stylized manuscript and incense, a small radiant Siddha medallion above, earthy reds/yellows/greens with controlled highlights.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central teaching pair framed by lotus and floral borders, small circular vignette of a Siddha in the upper register, deep blue ground with gold ornament, intricate patterns emphasizing ‘śravaṇa’ as sacred act."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","incense crackle","distant conch","night breeze","measured pauses for emphasis"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुमनोवाच = सुमनः + उवाच; श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि = श्रूयताम् + अभिधास्यामि; तस्मात्सिद्धाच्छ्रुतं = तस्मात् + सिद्धात् + श्रुतम्; लिंगमेव = लिङ्गम् + एव
It introduces a teaching about the signs or symptoms said to manifest at the time of death for those who have committed sinful actions (pāpa).
Sumana states that the information was heard from a Siddha (a perfected or spiritually accomplished being).
The verse frames moral causality (karma) as having observable consequences, encouraging ethical conduct by reminding readers that actions shape one’s end-of-life experience.