Shloka 18
Instruction on Dharma and Truth as Viṣṇu’s Own Nature
with Teaching on Impermanence and Detachment
नैषां मोहस्तु कर्तव्यो भवत्या वचनं शृणु । पापेन वर्तते योसौ स एव निधनं व्रजेत्
naiṣāṃ mohastu kartavyo bhavatyā vacanaṃ śṛṇu | pāpena vartate yosau sa eva nidhanaṃ vrajet
កុំឲ្យអ្នកវង្វេងចំពោះពួកគេឡើយ; សូមស្តាប់ពាក្យខ្ញុំ។ អ្នកណារស់នៅដោយបាប អ្នកនោះឯងនឹងទៅដល់វិនាស (មរណៈ)។
Unspecified (dialogue context not provided; likely a senior speaker addressing a woman, e.g., Mahādeva to Pārvatī or a sage to a queen)
Concept: Do not be deluded by attachment; sin carries its own ruin—adharma ripens into destruction.
Application: When grief or anger clouds judgment, return to ethical discernment: reduce harmful actions, seek wise counsel, and choose dharmic conduct even under provocation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene hermitage interior where a venerable sage raises a calming hand, speaking firm but compassionate counsel to a grieving mother. The air feels still, as if dharma itself has entered the room—soft light falls on prayer beads and a small altar, while the listener’s face shifts from turmoil toward clarity.","primary_figures":["Kaśyapa (implied counselor)","Diti (listener)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with kusa grass seat, water pot (kamaṇḍalu), and a small fire altar; distant trees and a quiet path.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","ochre","soft white","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kaśyapa seated on a decorated āsana with gold leaf aura, right hand in upadeśa-mudrā; Diti kneeling with folded hands, jewelry subdued; ornate āśrama altar with gold highlights, rich reds/greens, traditional iconographic framing and embossed gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate hermitage scene with delicate lines; Kaśyapa’s calm gaze and Diti’s softened expression; cool greens and pale ochres, fine textile patterns, gentle forest background with lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized faces with large eyes; Kaśyapa in saffron tones, Diti in muted red; simple altar elements, flat color fields of green and yellow, temple-wall composition emphasizing moral instruction.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic dharma-upadeśa scene framed by lotus and vine borders; small altar and tulasi-like foliage motifs as decorative elements (without making it explicit worship); deep blue border, gold floral filigree, refined textile patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","gentle birdsong","soft temple bell (single strike)","sustained silence after the admonition"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नैषाम् = न + एषाम्; मोहस्तु = मोहः + तु; योसौ = यः + असौ.
FAQs
It warns against misplaced delusion or partiality and states a clear karmic principle: one who persists in sinful conduct brings about their own ruin.
Personal responsibility: downfall is linked directly to one’s chosen conduct—“whoever lives by sin” is said to “go to ruin.”
“Bhavatyā” is a respectful form addressing a woman (“by you/you, lady”). Without the surrounding verses, the exact identity (e.g., Pārvatī or another female interlocutor) cannot be confirmed.