Shloka 17
The Glory of Prayāga
Mahātmyā of the Confluence
स्वस्थो भव महाराज भुक्त्वा राज्यमकंटकम् । पुनर्द्रक्ष्यसि राजेंद्र यजमानो विशेषतः
svastho bhava mahārāja bhuktvā rājyamakaṃṭakam | punardrakṣyasi rājeṃdra yajamāno viśeṣataḥ
Sehatlah, wahai maharaja. Setelah menikmati kerajaan tanpa duri (tanpa gangguan), engkau akan berjumpa kembali, wahai raja para raja—terutama ketika engkau menjadi yajamāna dalam pelaksanaan yajña.
Unclear from the single-verse excerpt (context needed to identify the dialogue speaker reliably).
Concept: Worldly well-being and a trouble-free reign are harmonized with sacrificial duty; the king’s role as yajamāna is spiritually significant.
Application: Lead with steadiness: remove ‘thorns’ (avoidable harms), uphold duties, and dedicate achievements to the divine through ethical action and worship.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a serene royal court, a sage offers a blessing to a crowned king, promising health and a thornless reign. In the background, a sacrificial pavilion stands ready—smoke of clarified butter rising gently as priests arrange kuśa grass and vessels, hinting that the king’s true glory culminates in yajña.","primary_figures":["a dharmic king (rājā)","a blessing sage (ṛṣi)","Vedic priests (ṛtvijas)"],"setting":"palace hall opening into a yajña-śālā with vedi, kuṇḍa, and ritual implements","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["royal maroon","burnished gold","sandalwood beige","smoke-grey","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a crowned king seated on a lion-throne receiving a sage’s blessing gesture (āśīrvāda), behind them a stylized yajña-śālā with sacred fire, heavy gold leaf on crown, throne, and halos, rich reds/greens, ornate pillars, gem-like detailing on ornaments and vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court scene with refined faces, soft architectural lines, a small yajña pavilion with delicate smoke curls, cool pastel background with warm saffron firelight, intricate textile patterns on shawls and carpets, lyrical compositional balance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal king and sage with bold outlines, large expressive eyes, ritual fire rendered as stylized flames, priests in rhythmic poses, dominant reds/yellows/greens, mural-like symmetry and sacred icon feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ceremonial court with ornate borders of floral creepers, repeated kalasha and lamp motifs, central blessing scene framed like a shrine, deep reds and blues with gold highlights, patterned textiles and ritual vessels rendered with intricate linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["low Vedic chanting","crackling fire","temple bells","soft drum (mridang)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राज्यमकंटकम् = राज्यम् + अकण्टकम्; पुनर्द्रक्ष्यसि = पुनः + द्रक्ष्यसि; राजेंद्र = राजेन्द्र (voc.); श्लोके विरामचिह्नानुसार पदच्छेदः।
FAQs
It literally means “a kingdom without thorns,” i.e., rule that is free from obstacles, internal unrest, and afflictions—an idiom for stable, trouble-free kingship.
“Yajamāna” is the patron who commissions and ritually ‘hosts’ a Vedic sacrifice; the verse highlights the king’s dharmic role as sponsor of public rites for prosperity and order.
It links well-being and successful rulership with dharmic conduct—especially the responsibility to uphold order and support sacred rites—suggesting governance and spiritual duty are interconnected.