Shloka 41
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
निंदंति पापिनो ये वा शालग्रामशिलां सकृत् । कुंभीपाके पचंत्याशु यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्
niṃdaṃti pāpino ye vā śālagrāmaśilāṃ sakṛt | kuṃbhīpāke pacaṃtyāśu yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam
ഒരിക്കൽപോലും ശാലഗ്രാമശിലയെ നിന്ദിക്കുന്ന പാപികൾ വേഗത്തിൽ കുംഭീപാക നരകത്തിൽ ദഹിപ്പിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു—ആഭൂതസമ്പ്ലവം (മഹാപ്രളയം) വരെയും.
Unspecified narrator (contextual Purāṇic discourse; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Reviling the Lord’s sacred form (Śālagrāma) is grave aparādha with severe karmic consequence.
Application: Practice careful speech and reverence around sacred objects and devotees; if disrespect occurred, seek atonement through apology, service, and renewed worship rather than cynicism.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stark underworld furnace-scene: Kumbhīpāka appears as a vast cauldron of boiling darkness and fire, where shadowy figures suffer, while above them a distant, untouchable glow of the Śālagrāma’s sanctity remains unapproached due to their revilement. The composition contrasts the cold, moral certainty of cosmic law with the blazing terror of consequence.","primary_figures":["Yama’s attendants (yamadūtas)","Suffering sinners (symbolic)","Śālagrāma-śilā as distant radiant emblem"],"setting":"Naraka landscape with iron ground, cauldrons, smoke pillars; cosmic deluge hinted as far-off horizon to indicate ‘until dissolution’.","lighting_mood":"fast-dramatic","color_palette":["charcoal black","molten orange","blood red","ashen gray","acidic yellow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic naraka tableau with stylized flames and iron cauldrons; yamadūtas with fierce expressions; a small distant Śālagrāma emblem in a gold halo at the top as moral contrast; heavy gold borders framing the scene, intense reds and blacks, ornate but ominous detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: compressed infernal landscape with swirling smoke rendered in fine lines; figures in expressive anguish; distant luminous Śālagrāma symbol above like a moon; cool-to-hot gradient palette, refined yet unsettling composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and fierce faces; rhythmic flame patterns; yamadūtas in traditional stylization; a contrasting serene haloed Śālagrāma emblem at the upper register; temple-wall narrative framing.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic moral contrast—lower register with dark swirling flames and stylized cauldrons, upper register with lotus mandala containing Śālagrāma; ornate floral borders in gold, deep indigo background, didactic devotional warning aesthetic."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["thunder","low drum","crackling fire","conch shell (warning blast)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निंदंति = निन्दन्ति (अनुस्वार-लिप्यन्तर); पचंत्याशु = पचन्ति + आशु; यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् = यावत् + आभूतसंप्लवम्.
FAQs
Śālagrāma-śilā refers to a sacred stone revered as a manifestation/emblem of Lord Viṣṇu in Vaiṣṇava tradition; the verse treats reviling it as a grave offense.
Kumbhīpāka is named as a hell (naraka) where severe torment is described; this verse says revilers of Śālagrāma are punished there.
It stresses restraint in speech and reverence toward sacred objects and symbols of devotion, warning that contempt or blasphemy (nindā) is treated as a serious moral and spiritual transgression.