Shloka 20
The Abduction/Seduction of Ahalyā and Indra’s Mark
Sahasrākṣa
अलं प्रियेन वक्तव्यं हृच्छयो मे प्रजायते । कर्तव्यं चाप्यकर्तव्यं पत्युर्वचनसंमतम्
alaṃ priyena vaktavyaṃ hṛcchayo me prajāyate | kartavyaṃ cāpyakartavyaṃ patyurvacanasaṃmatam
ល្មមហើយនឹងពាក្យផ្អែម; បេះដូងខ្ញុំត្រូវក្តីព្រួយបារម្ភចាប់ក្រវ៉ាត់។ សូមប្រាប់ថា អ្វីគួរធ្វើ និងអ្វីមិនគួរធ្វើ តាមព្រះបញ្ជារបស់ស្វាមីដែលបានអនុម័ត។
A wife addressing another (contextual female speaker; exact named identification not provided in the input).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाप्यकর্তव्यं = च + अपि + अकर्तव्यम्; पत्युर्वचनसंमतम् = पत्युः + वचनसंमतम्.
FAQs
It highlights discerning dharma through kartavya (what should be done) and akartavya (what should not be done), seeking clarity in moments of inner anxiety.
The verse frames action in terms of what is “approved/authoritative” (saṃmata) and asks for guidance on right and wrong; it can be read as prioritizing dharmic counsel rather than mere flattery or impulsive action.
Even within creation-oriented sections, the Purana frequently embeds practical dharma instruction—showing that cosmic narratives are paired with guidance for ethical living in the household sphere.