Shloka 77
Determination of the Householder’s Dharma
Dāna: Types, Recipients, Timing, and Fruits
एकाकी विचरेन्नित्यमुदासीनः समाहितः । एष वः कथितो धर्म्मो गृहस्थानां द्विजोत्तमाः । ज्ञात्वा तु तिष्ठेन्नियतं तथानुष्ठापयेद्द्विजान्
ekākī vicarennityamudāsīnaḥ samāhitaḥ | eṣa vaḥ kathito dharmmo gṛhasthānāṃ dvijottamāḥ | jñātvā tu tiṣṭhenniyataṃ tathānuṣṭhāpayeddvijān
Hendaknya ia senantiasa berjalan seorang diri, lepas dari keterikatan, tenang, dan terpusat. Demikian telah dinyatakan kepadamu, wahai para dwija utama, dharma bagi para grihastha. Setelah memahaminya, hendaknya ia tetap berdisiplin dan juga menuntun para dwija agar melaksanakannya sebagaimana mestinya.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue context)
Concept: Even within household life, one should cultivate inner solitude—detachment and steadiness—then uphold and transmit this disciplined dharma among the twice-born.
Application: Practice ‘inner aloneness’: reduce compulsive social validation, keep daily japa/pujā steady, and mentor others by example rather than mere preaching.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A composed brāhmaṇa householder walks alone along a quiet village lane, eyes lowered in contemplation, hands holding a japa-mālā beneath a simple shawl. Behind him, a small group of attentive dvijas listen as he calmly explains dharma, the scene emphasizing inner detachment amid ordinary life.","primary_figures":["detached gṛhastha teacher","dvija listeners (students/peers)"],"setting":"village outskirts with a small shrine and banyan shade; minimal domestic bustle kept at a distance","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["ivory","ash gray","banyan green","muted saffron","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central calm figure with subtle gold aura, holding japa-mālā; dvija disciples seated respectfully; ornate border and gold leaf highlights on shrine lamp and sacred thread; rich earthy reds/greens with traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: slender figure strolling under banyan shade; delicate linework for mala beads; listeners in a semicircle; cool, restrained palette with lyrical negative space conveying ‘udāsīna’ mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized eyes and gestures; teacher’s right hand in gentle instruction mudrā; warm yellow-red background with green foliage bands; temple-wall aesthetic emphasizing dharma transmission.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative floral borders and creepers; central figure walking in calm rhythm; small shrine with lamp; peacocks at the edge; deep blue ground with gold motifs symbolizing steadiness and discipline."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft footfalls","breeze in banyan leaves","low temple bell","murmur of students"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विचरेन्नित्यम् = विचरेत् + नित्यम्; नित्यमुदासीनः = नित्यम् + उदासीनः; धर्म्मो = धर्मः; तिष्ठेन्नियतं = तिष्ठेत् + नियतम्; तथानुष्ठापयेत् = तथा + अनुष्ठापयेत्; अनुष्ठापयेद्द्विजान् = अनुष्ठापयेत् + द्विजान्.
FAQs
A householder is urged to live with inner detachment (udāsīnatā) and steady composure (samāhita), moving about without dependence and maintaining disciplined restraint.
It frames the teaching within a Brahminical dharma discourse: one who understands the rule should uphold it personally and promote correct observance among the dvija community.
Ethical life is not only personal self-control but also responsible transmission—understanding dharma, living it consistently, and supporting others to practice it properly.