Shloka 56
The Deeds of Sukalā (Vena Episode): Husband as Tīrtha & Pativratā-Dharma
तेनाहं दुःखिता सख्यो वियोगेनापि नित्यशः । सख्य ऊचुः । तीर्थयात्रां गतो भर्ता पुनरेष्यति ते पतिः
tenāhaṃ duḥkhitā sakhyo viyogenāpi nityaśaḥ | sakhya ūcuḥ | tīrthayātrāṃ gato bhartā punareṣyati te patiḥ
"ಆದುದರಿಂದ ಓ ಸಖಿಯರೇ, ನಾನು ವಿರಹದಿಂದ ನಿತ್ಯವೂ ದುಃಖಿತಳಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ." ಸಖಿಯರು ಹೇಳಿದರು: "ನಿನ್ನ ಪತಿಯು ತೀರ್ಥಯಾತ್ರೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ, ಅವನು ಮತ್ತೆ ಹಿಂತಿರುಗಿ ಬರುತ್ತಾನೆ."
A woman (addressing her friends); then her friends reply
Concept: Separation caused by dharmic pilgrimage is temporary; faith and patience steady the mind.
Application: When loved ones are away for duty or spiritual practice, hold to steadiness, avoid spiraling grief, and support dharmic commitments while maintaining daily worship.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A young wife sits at a courtyard threshold with a half-wilted garland in her hands, eyes moist with viraha. Her friends gather around, gently lifting her chin and pointing toward a distant road where a pilgrim’s silhouette fades, assuring her of his return and the auspiciousness of his tirtha-yatra.","primary_figures":["a grieving wife","two or three female friends","distant pilgrim husband (silhouette)"],"setting":"Village courtyard with a tulasi-vṛndāvana pedestal, a small lamp niche, and a road leading toward a river-ghat in the distance.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","indigo shadow","leaf green","warm terracotta"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a viraha-stricken wife seated near a tulasi-vṛndāvana in a South Indian courtyard, friends consoling her with raised palms of reassurance, distant pilgrim on a road toward a river-ghat; heavy gold leaf halos on the women’s profiles, rich red and green textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate floral borders, temple-lamp glow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate viraha scene in a quiet courtyard, the wife with downcast eyes holding a garland, friends in soft pastel shawls offering comfort, a winding path to a far riverbank with a tiny pilgrim figure; cool mountain-like palette, lyrical trees, refined faces, fine linework, airy negative space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures of the wife and friends beside a tulasi pedestal, expressive large eyes, stylized foliage and architectural arches, warm red-yellow-green pigments; a symbolic distant pilgrim on a curving road, lamp-lit sanctity and devotional calm.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: courtyard framed by lotus and creeper borders, tulasi-vṛndāvana central motif, women in ornate ghagras consoling the wife; distant path leading to a river with lotuses, peacocks perched on parapets, deep blue background with gold detailing, Nathdwara-like floral intricacy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft anklets","distant temple bell","morning birds","faint conch from afar","rustle of leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तेनाहं = तेन + अहं; वियोगेनापि = वियोगेन + अपि; सख्य ऊचुः = सख्यः + ऊचुः (विसर्ग-सन्धि); पुनरेष्यति = पुनः + एष्यति (विसर्ग-लोप).
FAQs
It presents pilgrimage (tīrtha-yātrā) as a recognized religious practice that may take a householder away temporarily, with the community (friends) offering reassurance about the pilgrim’s return.
The speaker describes sorrow as continual (nityaśaḥ) and rooted in separation (viyoga), showing viraha as an intense, ongoing emotional state rather than a momentary feeling.
It highlights supportive companionship: friends respond to distress with calming counsel, encouraging patience and trust during temporary separation caused by religious duties.