Shloka 3
Narmadā
Revā) Tīrtha Greatness: The Gandharva Maidens’ Curse Narrative (Acchodā Episode Begins
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । भगवन्बहुकन्याभिः शापो लंभि कथं कुतः । कस्यापत्यानि तास्तासां नाम किं कीदृशं वयः
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | bhagavanbahukanyābhiḥ śāpo laṃbhi kathaṃ kutaḥ | kasyāpatyāni tāstāsāṃ nāma kiṃ kīdṛśaṃ vayaḥ
യുധിഷ്ഠിരൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ ഭഗവൻ, ആ അനേകം കന്യകൾക്ക് ശാപം എങ്ങനെ, എവിടെ നിന്നാണ് ലഭിച്ചത്? അവർ ആരുടെ സന്താനമാണ്? അവരുടെ പേരുകൾ എന്ത്, അവരുടെ വയസ്സും അവസ്ഥയും എങ്ങനെയാണ്?
Yudhiṣṭhira
Concept: Reverent questioning (praśna) is a dhārmic gateway to sacred knowledge; understanding the origin, agents, and conditions of a curse clarifies karma and the means of release.
Application: Ask precise, respectful questions of teachers and texts; seek causes (hetu) and remedies (upāya) rather than remaining in vague fear.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yudhiṣṭhira sits with folded hands, his face intent and compassionate, as he asks about the many Gandharva daughters—names, lineage, and the curse’s origin. Opposite him, the sage (Nārada or the revered authority) listens calmly, poised to unfold a sacred narrative, with palm-leaf manuscripts and a river-map-like cloth nearby.","primary_figures":["Yudhiṣṭhira","Nārada (or revered sage narrator)","Attendant sages (optional)"],"setting":"Hermitage pavilion near a riverbank, with kusa grass seats, a low wooden stand holding manuscripts, distant glimpse of flowing water","lighting_mood":"forest dappled (late morning)","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","indigo","copper brown","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yudhiṣṭhira in royal yet modest attire kneels with añjali; Nārada/sage seated on a decorated pedestal with halo; gold-leaf borders, rich reds and greens, gem-like highlights on manuscripts and ornaments, stylized trees framing the dialogue scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate dialogue under a canopy of trees; delicate facial expressions showing curiosity and reverence; fine-lined manuscripts and a small watercourse in the background; cool natural palette with refined brushwork and lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, large expressive eyes; Yudhiṣṭhira and sage in balanced composition; palm-leaf manuscripts emphasized; earthy reds/yellows/greens with temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel framed by floral borders; peacocks at the edge; central seated sage and kneeling king; stylized foliage and lotus motifs hinting at forthcoming tīrtha glory; deep blues and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft tanpura drone","distant flowing water","occasional bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhagavanbahukanyābhiḥ = bhagavan + bahukanyābhiḥ; laṃbhi (IAST laṃbhi) is taken as labdhiḥ (लभ् + क्तिन्) with anusvāra/orthographic variation; kasyāpatyāni = kasya + apatyāni; tāstāsāṃ = tāḥ + tāsām (विसर्ग/अन्त्य-लोप लेखनभेद)
FAQs
Yudhiṣṭhira is speaking, asking a revered sage/narrator to explain the origin of a curse connected with many daughters and to clarify their lineage and particulars.
He asks (1) how and from where the curse arose, (2) whose children the daughters are, and (3) their names and their age or life-stage.
The verse models careful inquiry: before judging a situation (like a curse), one should seek causes, lineage, and concrete details—an approach that supports discernment and responsible understanding of dharma narratives.