Shloka 15
The Greatness of Viṣṇu’s Foot-Water (Pādodaka) as a Destroyer of Sin
शास्त्रनिंदाकरो नित्यं व्रतनिंदाकरः सदा । असावन्यं न जानाति केवलं स्वोदरं विना
śāstraniṃdākaro nityaṃ vrataniṃdākaraḥ sadā | asāvanyaṃ na jānāti kevalaṃ svodaraṃ vinā
അവൻ നിത്യവും ശാസ്ത്രങ്ങളെ നിന്ദിക്കുകയും സദാ വ്രതങ്ങളെ പരിഹസിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു; തന്റെ ഉദരം ഒഴികെ മറ്റൊന്നും മറ്റാരെയും അവൻ അറിയില്ലായിരുന്നു।
Unspecified (context-dependent within Brahma-khaṇḍa narrative)
Concept: Disparaging śāstra and mocking vratas reduces a person to bodily appetite, severing dharmic vision.
Application: Avoid cynical ridicule of sacred practices; if you cannot follow a vow, honor it in others and keep speech disciplined.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stark moral tableau: the brāhmaṇa Sudarśana stands in a marketplace-like setting, pointing derisively at palm-leaf scriptures and a group of vow-keepers, while his own belly is emphasized as the visual center—hands clutching food, eyes narrowed in contempt. Behind him, the sacred texts appear luminous yet ignored, creating a sharp contrast between inner darkness and the radiance of dharma.","primary_figures":["Sudarśana (brāhmaṇa)","Vrata-observers (men and women)","Personified Śāstra as glowing manuscripts (symbolic)"],"setting":"Town square or courtyard near a small shrine; scriptures on a low wooden stand; vrata-keepers with water pots and prayer beads.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["charcoal black","burnt umber","lamp gold","palm-leaf tan","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sudarśana in the foreground with exaggerated gesture of ridicule toward a scripture stand; gold leaf highlights on the manuscripts and shrine lamps; rich reds/greens in borders; expressive faces of vrata-keepers in añjali; ornate jewelry and traditional iconographic symmetry despite the moral tension.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined, slightly satirical scene—Sudarśana’s sharp profile and dismissive hand; delicate depiction of palm-leaf grantha bundles; cool muted palette with a warm lamp glow; subtle social grouping of vow-keepers with calm faces, emphasizing contrast.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—Sudarśana’s eyes wide with arrogance, belly emphasized; scriptures rendered as radiant rectangles with stylized lotus motifs; red-yellow-green pigments; temple-wall composition with moral symbolism.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: an allegorical border of lotus and creepers framing a central vignette of ‘śāstra’ and ‘vrata’ honored by devotees; Sudarśana at one side in darker tones, food motifs near him; intricate floral borders, peacocks looking away, deep blue and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sharp cymbal taps","low drum pulse","murmured crowd","temple bell fading"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शास्त्रनिंदाकरो → शास्त्रनिंदाकरः; असावन्यं → असौ अन्यम्; स्वोदरं → स्व-उदरम् (समास)।
FAQs
It condemns habitual contempt for scripture and religious vows, portraying such behavior as a sign of selfishness—living only for one’s own appetite rather than for dharma or the welfare of others.
It is an idiom for extreme self-interest: a person motivated mainly by personal consumption and gain, lacking reverence, gratitude, or concern for others.
Across the Purana, dharma is upheld through śāstra-guided conduct and vrata; this verse warns that mocking these disciplines leads to moral blindness and a life centered on selfish desires.