Shloka 57
Origin of the Lunar Dynasty: Soma’s Rise, the Tārā Abduction War, Budha–Purūravas Genealogy, and Kārtavīrya Arjuna
धर्मार्थकामान्धर्मेण समवेतोभ्यपालयत् । धर्मार्थकामास्तं द्रष्टुमाजग्मुः कौतुकान्विताः
dharmārthakāmāndharmeṇa samavetobhyapālayat | dharmārthakāmāstaṃ draṣṭumājagmuḥ kautukānvitāḥ
ധർമ്മത്തോടു ഏകീഭവിച്ച് അവൻ ധർമ്മം, അർത്ഥം, കാമം—ഇവയെ ഭരിച്ചു സംരക്ഷിച്ചു. പിന്നെ കൗതുകം നിറഞ്ഞ ധർമ്മം, അർത്ഥം, കാമം അവനെ കാണാൻ വന്നു.
Narrator (contextual speaker not specified in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Artha and kāma are to be governed only when yoked to dharma; righteous rule protects the whole puruṣārtha order.
Application: Pursue livelihood and pleasure within ethical boundaries; make dharma the decision-filter for ambition, consumption, and relationships.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A righteous king sits poised on a lion-throne, his posture calm and steady, as three luminous personifications—Dharma with a staff and scripture, Artha with a golden vessel of coins, and Kāma with a flower-bow—approach with inquisitive faces. The air feels like a moral court: prosperity and desire stand respectfully before righteousness, as if awaiting permission to act.","primary_figures":["Dharmarāja (personified Dharma)","Artha (personified Prosperity)","Kāma (Manmatha, personified Desire)","A dhārmic king (unnamed)"],"setting":"Royal sabhā with carved pillars, lotus motifs, and a subtle cosmic backdrop suggesting the Purāṇic age of archetypal kingship.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","antique gold","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dhārmic king on an ornate throne with gold-leaf halo, Dharma-Artha-Kāma as three divine attendants approaching in reverence; heavy gold embellishment on crowns and jewelry, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, temple-like pillars with lotus carvings, flat iconic composition with gem-studded ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court scene with delicate linework; three personified figures (Dharma with staff, Artha with treasure, Kāma with flower-bow) walking toward a serene king; cool pastel architecture, lyrical expressions, patterned carpets, distant hills faintly visible through an open pavilion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the king centered with large expressive eyes, Dharma-Artha-Kāma in symmetrical arrangement; warm red and yellow background, green borders with lotus creepers, stylized jewelry and crowns, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vaishnava-inflected court with lotus borders; Dharma-Artha-Kāma rendered as devotional attendants approaching a Vishnu-like righteous ruler; intricate floral motifs, peacocks at the margins, deep indigo ground with gold highlights, ornate textile patterns and symmetrical framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low mridangam pulse","conch shell (distant)","courtly ambience","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मार्थकामान्धर्मेण = धर्मार्थकामान् + धर्मेण; समवेतोभ्यपालयत् = समवेतः + अभ्यपालयत्; धर्मार्थकामास्तं = धर्मार्थकामाः + तम्; द्रष्टुमाजग्मुः = द्रष्टुम् + आजग्मुः; कौतुकान्विताः = कौतुक + अन्विताः
FAQs
It teaches that prosperity (artha) and desire (kāma) should be protected and directed through dharma; righteous order harmonizes life’s aims.
The verse uses personification: the three aims are portrayed as conscious forces approaching the ruler to acknowledge or test the way he sustains them through dharma.
A leader should integrate all pursuits under righteousness—neither suppressing legitimate needs nor letting power, wealth, or pleasure run unchecked.