Shloka 49
The Glory of the Devoted Wife (Pativratā) and the Māṇḍavya Curse: Sunrise Halted and Restored
श्रुत्वा सर्वान्निशाचारानाहूय नृपती रुषा । जीवितुं यदि वो वांछा चोरं मामद्य दास्यथ
śrutvā sarvānniśācārānāhūya nṛpatī ruṣā | jīvituṃ yadi vo vāṃchā coraṃ māmadya dāsyatha
ഇതു കേട്ട് രാജാവ് ക്രോധത്തോടെ എല്ലാ നിശാചരന്മാരെയും വിളിച്ചു പറഞ്ഞു—“നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ജീവിക്കണമെന്നുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ, ഇന്ന് തന്നെ ആ കള്ളനെ എനിക്ക് ഏല്പിക്കൂ.”
The king (nṛpati)
Concept: Fear-based governance may compel action but risks injustice; true rajadharma demands discernment, not merely wrath.
Application: When confronting wrongdoing, avoid collective threats and seek evidence; anger can energize justice but must be restrained by fairness.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In the king’s audience hall, pillars rise like spears as the enraged ruler leans forward on his throne, eyes blazing. Before him stand the night-roamers, tense and cornered, while guards grip weapons—an atmosphere of threat and impending violence.","primary_figures":["The king (nṛpati)","Niśācara group (night-roamers)","Royal guards","Court attendants"],"setting":"Royal sabhā with carved pillars, weapon racks, and a raised throne dais; tense assembly before judgment.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["crimson","burnished gold","blackened bronze","royal blue","ashen white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: furious king on a gemmed throne issuing a threat to assembled night-roamers, gold leaf on crown and pillars, rich reds and greens, dramatic gestures, ornate court architecture with traditional South Indian embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: court scene with refined faces and controlled drama, the king’s anger shown through posture and sharp gaze, cool shadows in the hall, delicate detailing of textiles and weapons.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and intense expressions; king’s wrath emphasized with red-yellow dominance, stylized guards and niśācaras, temple-wall aesthetic court interior.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative court tableau framed by floral borders; deep blues and gold, stylized figures, lotus motifs ironically contrasting with the harsh command, intricate ornamentation on garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["drum beats","clashing armor","court murmurs","conch shell blast","sudden silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वान्निशाचारानाहूय = सर्वान् + निशाचारान् + आहूय; मामद्य = माम् + अद्य
FAQs
The speaker is the king (nṛpati), addressing “niśācāras”—night-roaming beings or nocturnal raiders—whom he has summoned.
It highlights accountability: those who shelter or enable wrongdoing are warned to cooperate with justice, reflecting the king’s duty to protect society and uphold dharma.
No. This shloka is primarily narrative and juridical, focusing on royal authority and the demand to surrender a thief rather than on bhakti practice or tīrtha geography.