Shloka 47
Narrative of King Pṛthu: Chastising and Milking the Earth
नागानां तु तथा दोग्धा धृतराष्ट्रः प्रतापवान् । सर्पा नागा द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तेन वर्तंति चातुलाः
nāgānāṃ tu tathā dogdhā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ pratāpavān | sarpā nāgā dvijaśreṣṭhāstena vartaṃti cātulāḥ
ನಾಗರಿಗಾಗಿ ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಪ್ರತಾಪವಂತ ಧೃತರಾಷ್ಟ್ರನು ದೋಹಕನಾದನು. ಓ ದ್ವಿಜಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ, ಅವನಿಂದ ಸರ್ಪರೂ ನಾಗರೂ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ತೃಪ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಾರೆ।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context likely a narration within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue tradition).
Concept: Each class of beings is sustained according to its own nature and appointed cosmic arrangement (svabhāva within ṛta/dharma).
Application: Recognize that temperaments and needs vary; cultivate discernment in what you 'take in' (food, impressions, habits) so it matches sattvic aims rather than imitating harsher natures.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mythic tableau of the Nāga realm: Dhṛtarāṣṭra, radiant and formidable, stands as the appointed 'milker' while coiled serpents and crowned Nāgas gather in reverent expectancy. From the Earth-personified as Bhū-devī, a luminous stream of essence flows, and the serpentine beings appear deeply satisfied, their hoods fanned like jeweled canopies.","primary_figures":["Bhū-devī (Earth goddess)","Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Nāga king)","Nāgas","Serpents"],"setting":"Subterranean Nāga-loka with crystal caverns, jeweled pillars, and a dark, fertile ground suggesting the Earth’s hidden womb.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["emerald green","obsidian black","pearl white","molten gold","ruby red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Bhū-devī seated on a lotus pedestal emerging from dark earth, Dhṛtarāṣṭra as a regal Nāga-king with multiple hoods forming a halo, gold leaf embellishment on crowns and ornaments, rich reds and greens, gem-studded jewelry, stylized serpents in symmetrical rows receiving the earth-essence, traditional South Indian iconography and ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical subterranean garden-cavern with delicate brushwork, cool greens and blues, Dhṛtarāṣṭra as a refined Nāga-king with elegant hooded canopy, Bhū-devī softly rendered, serpents coiling in rhythmic patterns, fine facial features, subtle mist and mineral textures, intimate narrative composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Bhū-devī with characteristic large eyes and lotus seat, Dhṛtarāṣṭra as a powerful serpent-king with stylized hoods, natural pigment palette dominated by red/yellow/green, temple-wall aesthetic, decorative borders of serpent scales and lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus and floral borders framing a symbolic 'earth-milking' scene, serpents arranged like devotional attendants, deep blues and gold accents, intricate patterns on hoods resembling lotus petals, ornate textile-like detailing; include subtle Vaishnava emblems (shankha-chakra motifs) as cosmic order symbols rather than central figures."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple drone","soft conch shell","subterranean echo","gentle bell taps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विजश्रेष्ठाः=द्विजश्रेष्ठाः (समास); द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तेन=द्विजश्रेष्ठाः+तेन; वर्तंति→वर्तन्ति; चातुलाः=च+अतुलाः; धृतराष्ट्रः (तत्पुरुष/रूढ-नाम: धृतं राष्ट्रं येन/यस्य).
FAQs
Here Dhṛtarāṣṭra is presented as the ‘dogdhā’ (milker) for the Nāgas—an archetypal role in Purāṇic cosmology where a designated agent ‘draws out’ sustenance/essence for a class of beings, indicating an ordered distribution of nourishment and prosperity.
It states that serpents and Nāgas ‘subsist’ (vartaṃti) through Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s agency, implying he functions as a sustaining intermediary for them within the cosmic arrangement.
The verse implies a principle of dharmic order: different beings are sustained through appointed roles and responsibilities, suggesting interdependence and structured stewardship rather than random survival.