Shloka 14
The Glory of Truthful Oaths and Keeping One’s Promise
Satya & Pratijñā
शौनक उवाच । कृष्णप्राप्तिः पुरा कस्य करस्य प्रतिपालनात् । दक्षिणस्य मुने ब्रूहि श्रोतुमिच्छामि सादरात्
śaunaka uvāca | kṛṣṇaprāptiḥ purā kasya karasya pratipālanāt | dakṣiṇasya mune brūhi śrotumicchāmi sādarāt
ശൗനകൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ മുനേ! പുരാതനകാലത്ത് ആരാണ് ദക്ഷിണയും കൈയുടെ പ്രതിജ്ഞയും യഥാവിധി പാലിച്ച് ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണനെ പ്രാപിച്ചത്? ദയവായി പറയുക; ഞാൻ ആദരത്തോടെ കേൾക്കാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു।
Śaunaka
Concept: Reverent inquiry (praśna) invites sacred narrative that clarifies how integrity in dakṣiṇā/pledge leads to Kṛṣṇa-prāpti.
Application: Ask for exemplars and learn ethics through stories; cultivate śraddhā by hearing dharma-kathā and applying it to commitments and giving.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a forest hermitage assembly, Śaunaka sits with folded hands, eyes bright with reverent curiosity, addressing a seated sage who holds a palm-leaf manuscript. The air feels poised for kathā: disciples lean in, a sacrificial fire glows softly, and the name ‘Kṛṣṇa’ seems to shimmer in the space between speaker and listener.","primary_figures":["Śaunaka","a narrating sage (unnamed)","listening ṛṣis/disciples"],"setting":"Naimiṣāraṇya-like āśrama setting with kuśa grass seats, yajña fire, and manuscript bundles.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["forest green","saffron","smoke gray","copper","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śaunaka in reverent añjali-mudrā before a sage on a raised seat, yajña fire centered; gold leaf on halos, fire, and manuscript edges; rich reds/greens, ornate arch frame, traditional South Indian devotional composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene hermitage with delicate trees and distant hills, refined faces, soft firelight; Śaunaka’s respectful posture emphasized; cool natural palette with lyrical detail and fine brushwork.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm ochre background, stylized hermitage elements, prominent expressive eyes; fire altar and palm-leaf manuscript motifs; red/yellow/green palette with temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative assembly framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; central fire altar, sages arranged symmetrically; deep blue accents with gold and white detailing, devotional storytelling aesthetic."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["crackling fire","soft chanting undertone","forest birds","gentle bell at question end"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṛṣṇaprāptiḥ → kṛṣṇa-prāptiḥ; śrotumicchāmi → śrotum + icchāmi.
FAQs
He asks which person, in ancient times, attained Kṛṣṇa as a result of faithfully rendering service/observance connected with the “hand” (kara) of the sage Dakṣiṇa, and requests the story to be narrated.
It frames “attainment of Kṛṣṇa” as the fruit of devoted, reverential service (pratipālana) toward a holy person, implying that sincere devotion expressed through service and respect leads to divine grace.
Reverence toward sages/teachers and conscientious service to dharmic duties are presented as spiritually transformative, capable of culminating in the highest goal—communion with Kṛṣṇa.