Shloka 47
The Marks of Merit and the Destinies of Beings
Divine vs Demonic Traits
न शुश्रूषंति वै भृत्याः स्वामिनं गुणशालिनम् । भर्तारं न स्त्रियः काश्चिच्छ्वशुरौ च स्वमातरः
na śuśrūṣaṃti vai bhṛtyāḥ svāminaṃ guṇaśālinam | bhartāraṃ na striyaḥ kāścicchvaśurau ca svamātaraḥ
ഭൃത്യർ ഗുണശാലിയായ സ്വാമിയെ യഥാർത്ഥമായി ശുശ്രൂഷിക്കുന്നില്ല; ചില സ്ത്രീകൾ ഭർത്താവിനെ ആദരിക്കുന്നില്ല; ശ്വശുരനെയും സ്വന്തം മാതാവിനെയും പോലും മാനിക്കുന്നില്ല।
Unspecified (verse excerpt; speaker not identifiable from the single-verse context)
Concept: Sevā (attentive service) and respect within hierarchical bonds—servant to master, wife to husband, daughter-in-law to elders—are pillars of social dharma; their collapse signals adharma.
Application: Cultivate reliability and gratitude in roles you occupy (employee, spouse, family member); practice śuśrūṣā—listening, assisting, and speaking respectfully—especially toward elders.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble household hall where a virtuous master sits with calm dignity, yet attendants stand distracted, whispering and turning away from duties. Nearby, a wife averts her gaze from her husband, while an elderly mother and father-in-law sit unhonored, their offerings untouched on a brass plate.","primary_figures":["virtuous master (svāmin)","neglectful servants","husband","wife","father-in-law (śvaśura)","mother (svamātā)"],"setting":"Interior of a traditional gṛha with carved pillars, a low seat for elders, and a small domestic altar in the background.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["dusty saffron","stone beige","deep umber","faded teal","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: interior dharma-drama—virtuous master seated with composed face, servants inattentive; husband and wife shown in tense distance; elders seated with quiet sorrow; gold leaf on pillars and altar lamp, gem-like ornaments on the worthy figures, rich reds/greens contrasted with muted tones on neglectful faces, ornate lotus border.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined domestic scene with subtle expressions—servants half-turned away, the master serene; the wife’s posture angled away from husband; elders in corner with downcast eyes; cool palette with delicate textiles, fine architectural detailing, gentle shading to convey emotional distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-lined figures in a household mandapa—master and elders with large compassionate eyes, neglectful figures with restless poses; warm lamp glow near altar, red/yellow/green pigments, patterned floor and floral borders emphasizing order disrupted.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic household with central shrine motif; figures arranged like a moral mandala—elders near lotus border, servants scattered; include peacocks looking away and cows standing still as dharma-witnesses; deep blue background with gold floral filigree and stylized architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft ankle-bells","indoor echo","single bell strike","brief hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुश्रूषंति → शुश्रूषन्ति. काश्चिच्छ्वशुरौ → काश्चित् + श्वशुरौ (त् + श्व → च्छ्व). स्वामिनं → स्वामिनम् (म् before consonant often written as anusvāra).
FAQs
It laments a decline in proper conduct: lack of faithful service to a worthy master and lack of respect within the household—toward husband, in-laws, and even one’s own mother.
It underscores household ethics: mutual respect, honoring elders, and fulfilling relational duties—seen as foundations for social and spiritual order.
No. The wording indicates “some” (kāścid) and functions as a moral observation/critique of misconduct, not a universal statement about every person in those roles.