Shloka 11
The Account of Sukalā and the Greatness of Nārī-tīrtha
Wife-Assisted Śrāddha and Pitṛ-Liberation
धर्मवाक्यं प्रशस्याथ अनुमेने च तं तथा । विष्णुरुवाच । अथो स कृकलो वैश्यस्तया सार्धं सुपुण्यकम्
dharmavākyaṃ praśasyātha anumene ca taṃ tathā | viṣṇuruvāca | atho sa kṛkalo vaiśyastayā sārdhaṃ supuṇyakam
ເມື່ອຊົມເຊີຍຖ້ອຍຄຳແຫ່ງທຳແລ້ວ ລາວກໍຍອມຮັບຕາມນັ້ນ. ພຣະວິສນຸກ່າວວ່າ: ຕໍ່ມາ ພໍ່ຄ້າວັຍສະຍະນາມ ກຣິກະລະ ໄດ້ກະທຳກຸສົນອັນຍິ່ງໃຫຍ່ຮ່ວມກັບນາງ
Vishnu
Concept: When dharma is spoken and praised, right action follows; divine consent (anumati) signifies that dharma aligned with Viṣṇu becomes supremely meritorious.
Application: Before major decisions, test them against dharma: truthfulness, compassion, and śāstric guidance; seek ‘inner consent’ through prayer to Viṣṇu and counsel from the wise.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous Viṣṇu appears in a subtle, visionary overlay above the couple, as if the air itself speaks: He praises the dharma-words and grants consent. Below, Kṛkala the vaiśya and his wife prepare to undertake a supremely meritorious act, their hands moving toward ritual vessels with calm determination.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (speaking)","Kṛkala (vaiśya)","Kṛkala’s wife"],"setting":"Threshold between domestic shrine and temple precinct—ritual items arranged: water pot, darbha grass, lamp, offering plates; a faint celestial aura indicating divine speech.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","conch white","golden aura","emerald green","rose pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu with four arms in a radiant aureole above, blessing and praising dharma; below, the vaiśya couple arranging ritual vessels; lavish gold leaf for Viṣṇu’s halo and ornaments, rich reds/greens in garments, gem-like detailing, symmetrical shrine architecture framing the scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a gentle epiphany—Viṣṇu’s translucent form in the sky, the couple below in poised readiness; delicate brushwork, refined expressions, cool blues and soft golds, lyrical clouds, minimal yet elegant ritual objects rendered with precision.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Viṣṇu dominating the upper register with bold outlines and stylized features, the couple in the lower register preparing the rite; strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition, ornate jewelry patterns, clear narrative readability.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa-centered composition with ornate floral borders; the couple below as devotees; lotus motifs, deep blues and gold, intricate textile patterns, devotional symmetry emphasizing divine approval of dharma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","soft drone (tanpura)","gentle wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मवाक्यं is a compound; प्रशस्य is a क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (gerund). अथो → अथ + उ. वैश्यस्तया → वैश्यः + तया (visarga sandhi).
FAQs
The speaker is Viṣṇu, indicated by the explicit tag “viṣṇur uvāca” (“Viṣṇu said”), which marks a shift into Viṣṇu’s narration or direct speech.
The verse highlights assent grounded in righteousness: one should commend and approve actions or proposals that align with dharma, rather than acting from impulse or self-interest.
“Supuṇyakam” indicates the deed is highly meritorious—an act that generates significant spiritual merit (puṇya), typically associated with dharmic conduct, charity, vows, or devotional observance in Purāṇic contexts.