Shloka 12
The Glory of the Devoted Wife (Pativratā) and the Māṇḍavya Curse: Sunrise Halted and Restored
श्रुत्वा गृहाद्विनिःसृत्य साध्वी पप्रच्छ तं पतिं । उन्मनास्त्वं कथं नाथ निःश्वासस्ते कथं विभो
śrutvā gṛhādviniḥsṛtya sādhvī papraccha taṃ patiṃ | unmanāstvaṃ kathaṃ nātha niḥśvāsaste kathaṃ vibho
അത് കേട്ട് സാധ്വിയായ ഭാര്യ വീട്ടിൽ നിന്ന് പുറത്തുവന്ന് ഭർത്താവിനോട് ചോദിച്ചു—“നാഥാ, എന്തുകൊണ്ട് നീ ഇങ്ങനെ ഉന്മനസ്സായിരിക്കുന്നു? ഹേ വിഭോ, ഈ ദീർഘ നിശ്വാസം എന്തിന്?”
The sādhvī (virtuous wife) addressing her husband
Concept: Compassionate inquiry within marriage is itself dharma; noticing another’s inner disturbance is the first step toward right action.
Application: When someone close is distressed, ask gently and specifically; do not ignore subtle signs like sighing or distraction.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A virtuous wife steps out from the threshold of a simple, sanctified home, her hands still damp from household worship. She looks up at her husband seated in shadow, his shoulders heavy, a long sigh visible in the cool air as she asks what troubles him.","primary_figures":["sādhvī (virtuous wife)","husband (gṛhastha)"],"setting":"courtyard of a dharmic household with a small tulasi platform, water pot, and lamp near the doorway","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm ochre","lamp-flame gold","indigo shadow","tulasi green","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a sādhvī in rich silk steps from a carved doorway toward her seated husband, tulasi maṇḍapa and brass dīpa in foreground, expressive eyes and gentle hand gesture of inquiry, gold leaf halo-like accents around the lamp and doorway arch, gem-studded ornaments, deep maroon and emerald textiles, traditional South Indian domestic shrine iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate linework—wife emerging from a painted doorway, husband seated under a veranda beam, tulasi plant in a small square altar, soft dusk sky, refined faces, lyrical naturalism, cool slate-blue shadows and muted greens, tiny birds perched on the roofline.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and stylized eyes—sādhvī with graceful posture questioning her husband, domestic shrine elements (dīpa, kalaśa, tulasi), flat temple-wall composition, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, rhythmic floral borders around the doorway.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: courtyard framed by lotus and creeper borders, tulasi altar prominent, the couple rendered with devotional tenderness, peacocks on the parapet, deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate floral motifs suggesting the home as a sacred mandala."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft ankle-bells","oil-lamp crackle","night insects","distant temple bell","brief silence after the sigh"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gṛhāt + viniḥsṛtya → gṛhādviniḥsṛtya; unmanāḥ + tvam → unmanāstvaṃ; niḥśvāsaḥ + te → niḥśvāsaste.
FAQs
A virtuous wife (sādhvī) speaks to her husband after coming out of the house, noticing his distracted state and sighing, and asks him the reason.
Unmanāḥ indicates a mind that is unsettled or distracted, while niḥśvāsaḥ suggests audible sighing or heavy breathing—signs of inner worry or emotional burden.
The verse highlights attentive care within household life: noticing another’s distress, approaching directly, and asking with respect and concern rather than ignoring the signs.