Shloka 42
The Episode of Cyavana
Cyavana’s Hermitage and the Power of Tapas
मयानृतं वचोभीत्या कथितं न गुरुद्रुहा । तस्मान्ममोपरि कृपां कुरु धर्मशिरोमणे
mayānṛtaṃ vacobhītyā kathitaṃ na gurudruhā | tasmānmamopari kṛpāṃ kuru dharmaśiromaṇe
ഭയത്താൽ ഞാൻ അസത്യവചനങ്ങൾ പറഞ്ഞു; ഞാൻ ഗുരുദ്രോഹി അല്ല. അതിനാൽ, ഹേ ധർമ്മശിരോമണേ, എനിക്കു കരുണ കാണിക്കണമേ.
Unspecified petitioner (a fearful speaker seeking pardon) addressing a righteous authority figure
Concept: Fear can drive false speech, but confession and reaffirmation of guru-loyalty invite compassionate adjudication.
Application: If you lied out of fear, correct it quickly; protect trust with teachers/mentors and seek forgiveness with humility rather than self-justification.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A trembling petitioner kneels with folded hands before a radiant ‘dharma-śiromaṇi’ figure seated like a judge-sage, the air calm after the storm of anger. The petitioner’s face shows fear dissolving into honesty, while the authority’s expression softens, suggesting mercy that follows truth.","primary_figures":["fearful petitioner (likely Agni or an intermediary)","righteous authority figure (sage/master)"],"setting":"Hermitage tribunal space: a low seat (āsana) for the sage, sacred texts on a stand, a small fire altar nearby, and quiet disciples observing at a distance.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","sandalwood tan","deep maroon","olive green","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the petitioner confessing with folded hands before a serene dharma-judge sage, gold leaf halo and ornate arch framing the sage, rich maroon/green textiles, gem-like detailing on manuscript stand and ritual vessels, emphasis on compassionate gaze.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate confession scene with delicate expressions, soft lamplight glow, refined linework on manuscripts and kusa mats, muted earth tones with gentle highlights, tranquil forest backdrop beyond the hermitage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized seated sage with calm authoritative eyes, petitioner in humble posture, traditional pigment palette, decorative borders with floral motifs, temple-wall compositional balance emphasizing dharma and mercy.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central seated dharma-figure with ornate lotus border, petitioner at the feet in añjali, deep blue or maroon ground with gold highlights; incorporate subtle script-like patterns and floral vines to evoke sacred law and compassion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft silence","single bell at phrase ends","gentle tanpura drone","distant flowing water (imagined)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वचोभीत्या = वचः + भीत्या; तस्मान्ममोपरि = तस्मात् + मम + उपरि; धर्मशिरोमणे = धर्म + शिरोमणे (समास).
FAQs
It treats lying as a moral fault, yet distinguishes a fear-driven lapse from deliberate betrayal, and encourages confession and seeking mercy from the righteous.
“Gurudruhā” means one who harms or betrays the guru; the speaker insists their false speech was not an act of guru-treachery but a fear-born mistake.
It is an honorific meaning “crest-jewel of dharma,” implying the listener is exceptionally righteous and thus capable of granting compassionate judgment.