Shloka 17
The Birth of King Pṛthu: Vena’s Fall, the Sages’ Churning, and Earth’s Surrender
वैश्यो धनसमृद्धः स्याच्छूद्रः सुखमवाप्नुयात् । एवं फलं समाप्नोति पठनाच्छ्रवणादपि
vaiśyo dhanasamṛddhaḥ syācchūdraḥ sukhamavāpnuyāt | evaṃ phalaṃ samāpnoti paṭhanācchravaṇādapi
ವೈಶ್ಯನು ಧನಸಮೃದ್ಧನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ, ಶೂದ್ರನು ಸುಖವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಹೀಗೆ ಪಠನದಿಂದಲೂ ಶ್ರವಣದಿಂದಲೂ ಈ ಫಲ ದೊರೆಯುತ್ತದೆ.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the Adhyaya context)
Concept: Sacred narrative bestows well-being across social roles; both pāṭha (reading) and śravaṇa (hearing) are efficacious means.
Application: If time is limited, listen; if solitude is available, read—either way keep a steady connection to dharmic literature; share readings inclusively.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A multi-generational gathering listens to a reciter under a banyan tree: merchants with ledgers, workers with simple garments, and elders with prayer beads sit together in shared attention. The spoken words appear as luminous script in the air, settling like blessings—coins of prosperity and flowers of contentment—upon the listeners.","primary_figures":["reciter (kathā-vācaka)","vaiśya listener","śūdra listener","mixed community"],"setting":"Village commons or temple courtyard beneath a banyan tree; low platform with manuscript stand and brass lamp.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["indigo","lamp gold","terracotta","leaf green","cream"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: community kathā scene with gold leaf lamp glow, diverse listeners (vaiśya with ledger, śūdra with humble attire) seated respectfully, ornate borders with lotus and conch, rich reds and greens, embossed gold script-like motifs floating above the reciter.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: banyan-tree assembly with delicate faces and soft earth tones, lyrical composition, subtle lamp light, manuscript details finely rendered, gentle social harmony emphasized.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized banyan leaves, reciter on a platform with expressive eyes, listeners in simplified iconic forms, warm yellow-red background, decorative floor patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: framed by floral borders, central kathā platform with lamp, peacocks in corners, deep blue ground with gold highlights, lotus medallions containing symbols of prosperity (coins, grain) and happiness (flowers)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["hand cymbals (manjira)","soft drum (mridangam)","temple bells","murmured responses (sadhu-sadhu)","evening insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यात्+शूद्रः→स्याच्छूद्रः (t + ś → cch); सुखम्+अवाप्नुयात्→सुखमवाप्नुयात्; पठनात्+श्रवणात्+अपि→पठनाच्छ्रवणादपि (t + ś → cch; t→d before a).
FAQs
It states that the stated benefits—prosperity for a Vaiśya and happiness for a Śūdra—are attained through the merit of reading/reciting or even merely hearing the passage.
It emphasizes accessibility: spiritual merit accrues not only to those who can recite or study, but also to those who participate by attentive listening.
It encourages engagement with sacred teaching—through study or listening—by presenting it as fruitful and inclusive, rewarding sincere participation.