Shloka 94
Narmadā
Revā) Tīrtha Greatness: The Gandharva Maidens’ Curse Narrative (Acchodā Episode Begins
धर्मश्चार्थश्चकामश्च मोक्षश्चैतच्चतुष्टयम् । यथोक्तं फलदं ज्ञेयं विपरीतं तु निष्फलम्
dharmaścārthaścakāmaśca mokṣaścaitaccatuṣṭayam | yathoktaṃ phaladaṃ jñeyaṃ viparītaṃ tu niṣphalam
ധർമ്മം, അർത്ഥം, കാമം, മോക്ഷം—ഈ ചതുഷ്ടയ പുരുഷാർത്ഥങ്ങൾ ശാസ്ത്രോക്തവിധത്തിൽ അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചാൽ ഫലദായകം; വിപരീതമായി അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചാൽ അത് നിഷ്ഫലമാകും।
Unspecified (narrative speaker not indicated in the provided excerpt)
Concept: The four puruṣārthas—dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa—bear fruit only when pursued as taught (yathokta), i.e., in right order and right means; pursued contrariwise they become sterile.
Application: Align goals with ethical means: earn (artha) without harm, enjoy (kāma) without exploitation, and keep mokṣa/bhakti as the compass; review intentions regularly.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-figure stands before a small assembly, four symbolic emblems hovering in a subtle mandala: a dharma-scale, an artha coin-vessel, a kāma flower-garland, and a mokṣa lotus opening upward. The scene feels like a moral diagram made visible—orderly, luminous, and calm.","primary_figures":["dharma-teacher (brāhmaṇa/sage)","attentive listeners (maiden and/or disciples)"],"setting":"Hermitage classroom under a sacred tree with a low platform, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a quiet altar","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["saffron","lapis blue","white gold","earth brown","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage-teacher with gold leaf halo instructs; four puruṣārtha symbols arranged as a mandala around him—scale (dharma), treasure pot (artha), garland (kāma), lotus (mokṣa); rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, manuscript details and altar flames.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene teaching scene beneath a tree; delicate mandala-like icons subtly painted in the air; cool blues and warm saffron accents; refined faces, gentle gestures, palm-leaf manuscripts and a small altar, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; teacher in central panel with four emblem medallions around; patterned background, temple-wall composition, red-yellow-green palette with strong narrative symbolism.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border; central sage with lotus motifs; four puruṣārtha emblems integrated into decorative medallions; deep blue ground with gold highlights, intricate vines and stylized lotuses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["silence between phrases","soft bell punctuation","rustling leaves","low tanpura drone","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मश्च = धर्मः + च; अर्थश्च = अर्थः + च; कामश्च = कामः + च; मोक्षश्च = मोक्षः + च; चैतत् = च + एतत्; यथोक्तं = यथा + उक्तम्; (line end) निष्फलम् unchanged.
FAQs
They are the four puruṣārthas: dharma (righteous living), artha (material well-being), kāma (legitimate desires/pleasures), and mokṣa (liberation).
It teaches that these aims yield beneficial results when pursued according to śāstric guidance and ethical order—especially with dharma as the regulating principle.
If one seeks wealth, pleasure, or even spiritual goals through unrighteous or distorted means—against proper teaching—the pursuit becomes barren, failing to bring the intended true benefit.