Shloka 24
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
आयुष्मान्भव सौम्येति वचो विप्रोऽभिवादने । आकारश्चास्य नाम्नोंऽते वाच्यः पूर्वाक्षरप्लुतः
āyuṣmānbhava saumyeti vaco vipro'bhivādane | ākāraścāsya nāmnoṃ'te vācyaḥ pūrvākṣaraplutaḥ
ブラーフマナが挨拶に答えるときは、「長寿であれ、やさしき者よ」と言うべきである。また相手の名の末尾に長音「ā」を添え、その直前の音節を長く発音せよ。
Not explicitly identified in the provided excerpt (instructional/normative voice within the chapter).
Concept: Blessing speech (‘āyuṣmān bhava’) and correct phonetic form in greetings are dharmic acts that transmit auspiciousness and uphold varṇāśrama decorum.
Application: Use blessings rather than flattery; speak names respectfully; cultivate careful pronunciation and mindful speech in daily interactions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet courtyard, a brāhmaṇa elder returns a student’s salutation with a calm blessing—‘āyuṣmān bhava’—his hand raised in benediction. The student listens attentively as the elder demonstrates the precise elongation of syllables, turning etiquette into sacred phonetic art.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa elder","student/householder offering salutation"],"setting":"village temple courtyard or āśrama veranda with carved pillars, palm-leaf texts, water vessel","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","sandalwood beige","deep maroon","copper brown","peacock blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: brāhmaṇa elder seated on a low seat, right hand in blessing mudrā, student kneeling; gold leaf accents on the elder’s halo and pillar carvings, rich maroon-green drapery, ornate border with script-like motifs suggesting phonetic precision.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate veranda scene with delicate gestures; the elder’s lips mid-utterance, the student attentive; soft amber lamp glow, fine textile patterns, gentle architectural lines and a small tulasi pot in the background as auspicious decor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figures with bold outlines; the blessing gesture emphasized, decorative pillar bands; saturated reds and yellows with green highlights, conveying ritual speech as sacred action.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central vignette of blessing and greeting framed by floral borders; stylized lotuses and parrots; deep blue ground with gold script-like ornamentation, evoking the sanctity of sound."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft bell","murmur of students reciting","rustle of palm leaves","distant conch at dusk"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आयुष्मान्भव = आयुष्मान् + भव; सौम्येति = सौम्य + इति; विप्रोऽभिवादने = विप्रः + अभिवादने; आकारश्च = आकारः + च; नाम्नोंऽते = नाम्नः + अन्ते.
FAQs
It prescribes the proper verbal response when returning a respectful salutation (abhivādana), including the blessing “āyuṣmān bhava” and a phonetic rule about ending the addressee’s name with an “ā” sound.
It indicates that the syllable immediately before the final added “ā” should be lengthened/prolonged, emphasizing respectful and correct pronunciation during the greeting.
It emphasizes sadācāra (refined conduct): respect expressed through standardized blessings and careful, correct speech, treating etiquette and pronunciation as part of dharma.