Shloka 44
Description of the Demons’ Austerities
Why the Gods Won
पूर्वमुक्तं सुमंत्रं तु मुनिना कश्यपेन हि । तेन मंत्रेण राजेंद्र कुरु कार्यं स्वमात्मवान्
pūrvamuktaṃ sumaṃtraṃ tu muninā kaśyapena hi | tena maṃtreṇa rājeṃdra kuru kāryaṃ svamātmavān
ಆ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಮಂತ್ರವನ್ನು ಪೂರ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುನಿ ಕಶ್ಯಪನೇ ಉಪದೇಶಿಸಿದ್ದನು. ಓ ರಾಜೇಂದ್ರ, ಆತ್ಮನಿಗ್ರಹದಿಂದ ಆ ಮಂತ್ರದ ಮೂಲಕ ನಿನ್ನ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸು.
Unspecified narrator/teacher addressing a king (rājendra) within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa discourse
Concept: A properly received mantra, taught by a qualified sage, becomes a means to accomplish one’s rightful task through self-mastery.
Application: Seek guidance from authentic teachers; apply tools (prayer, mantra, method) with steadiness and ethical intent rather than haste.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sage Kaśyapa sits in composed austerity, right hand raised in instruction, as a king bows with folded palms, receiving a ‘sumantra’ like a stream of luminous syllables. The air itself seems patterned with subtle script, suggesting disciplined power rather than spectacle.","primary_figures":["Sage Kaśyapa","a king (rājendra)","optional: attendant disciples holding palm-leaf manuscripts"],"setting":"forest hermitage with kusa grass seat, sacrificial fire, and a small altar; distant deer and banyan trees","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","forest green","smoke gray","sunrise gold","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kaśyapa with serene face and gold leaf aura, seated near a small homa-kunda; the king kneels with jeweled crown and folded hands; gold leaf embellishment on halos, ornaments, and fire; rich reds and greens, ornate arch framing the guru–śiṣya moment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil āśrama scene with delicate foliage and soft hills; Kaśyapa teaching, the king attentive; luminous Devanāgarī-like mantra curls subtly in the air; cool natural palette, refined facial features, lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm pigments; Kaśyapa’s large eyes and composed posture, the king in respectful stance; stylized fire altar; red/yellow/green palette with clear iconographic gestures of upadeśa.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional framing—guru and king beneath a floral canopy, lotus borders; mantra depicted as decorative golden script ribbons; peacocks and cows at the margins; deep blues and gold accents, intricate floral borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacred fire","rustling leaves","soft chanting undertone","temple bell (light)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजेंद्र = राजेन्द्र (समास); स्वमात्मवान् = स्वम् + आत्मवान्.
FAQs
The verse explicitly attributes the earlier teaching of the excellent mantra to the sage Kaśyapa.
The king is instructed to carry out his required task using that mantra, while remaining self-possessed and self-controlled.
It pairs spiritual means (mantra) with inner discipline (ātma-vattva—composure and self-mastery), implying that efficacy depends on both.