Shloka 27
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
आचारश्च तथा राजंस्तं विप्रं सन्निमंत्रयेत् । कुलं न ज्ञायते यस्य आचारेण विचारयेत्
ācāraśca tathā rājaṃstaṃ vipraṃ sannimaṃtrayet | kulaṃ na jñāyate yasya ācāreṇa vicārayet
ഹേ രാജാവേ, ആചാരവും കണക്കിലെടുത്ത് ആ വിപ്രനെ യഥാവിധി ക്ഷണിക്കണം; ആരുടെ കുലം അറിയപ്പെടുന്നില്ലയോ, അവനെ അവന്റെ ആചാരത്തിലൂടെ വിലയിരുത്തണം.
Unknown (context not provided in input; likely within a teacher-to-king instruction)
Concept: Conduct (ācāra) is the reliable marker of worth when lineage is unknown; dharma is verified by lived behavior.
Application: Evaluate teachers, priests, and advisors by consistent ethics, cleanliness, truthfulness, and restraint; extend hospitality with discernment rather than prejudice or gullibility.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a palace courtyard prepared for a śrāddha, a thoughtful king watches as an elder purohita quietly observes a visiting brāhmaṇa’s demeanor—his cleanliness, gentle speech, and humility—before offering a respectful invitation. The scene emphasizes calm discernment: lineage scrolls remain unopened while the man’s conduct becomes the true ‘credential’.","primary_figures":["a dharmic king (nṛpa)","purohita/ācārya","visiting brāhmaṇa","attendants with ritual trays"],"setting":"royal courtyard with a small śrāddha pavilion, kusa grass seats, water pot (kalaśa), and offering vessels","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","ivory white","deep maroon","leaf green","burnished gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene king seated on a carved throne beside a śrāddha pavilion, the ācārya gesturing toward a humble brāhmaṇa whose clean white garments and composed posture signify ācāra; gold leaf halos, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate archways, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, intricate floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet palace garden with delicate trees and a small ritual canopy; the king and priest evaluate the brāhmaṇa by his gentle conduct, subtle hand gestures and refined faces; cool pastel palette, lyrical naturalism, fine linework, distant hills, patterned textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and warm natural pigments; the king, ācārya, and brāhmaṇa in frontal poses near ritual vessels and kusa mats; characteristic large eyes, red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall aesthetic with decorative creepers and lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional courtyard scene framed by lotus and tulasī borders; attendants carry offerings, peacocks at the edges; deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate floral patterns, emphasizing dharmic hospitality and purity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","gentle conch in distance","courtyard birds","water poured from a lota","brief contemplative silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आचारश्च → आचारः + च; राजंस्तं → राजन् + तम्
FAQs
It teaches that a person’s worth—especially when lineage is unknown—should be evaluated by conduct (ācāra), and that a worthy brāhmaṇa should be respectfully invited.
It frames dharma as practical and observable: right behavior is a reliable measure of character, sometimes more relevant than uncertain social origins.
It implies that respect and social recognition should be grounded in demonstrated virtues and behavior, not merely in claims of birth when those claims cannot be verified.