Shloka 10
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
कार्पासमुपवीतार्थं निर्मितं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । ब्राह्मणानां त्रिवृत्सूत्रं कौशं वा वस्त्रमेव वा
kārpāsamupavītārthaṃ nirmitaṃ brahmaṇā purā | brāhmaṇānāṃ trivṛtsūtraṃ kauśaṃ vā vastrameva vā
പുരാതനകാലത്ത് ബ്രഹ്മാവ് യജ്ഞോപവീതത്തിനായി പരുത്തി സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു. ബ്രാഹ്മണർക്കു ത്രിവൃത് (മൂന്നു നൂൽ) യജ്ഞോപവീതം—കുശപുല്ലിൽ നിന്നോ അല്ലെങ്കിൽ വസ്ത്രത്തിൽ നിന്നോ—വിധേയമാണ്.
Unspecified (narratorial/śāstric statement within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct upavīta material and form; for brāhmaṇas, a tri-stranded cord is prescribed, with acceptable materials specified.
Application: Respect the ‘small’ disciplines: choose appropriate tools and standards for your practice (spiritual or professional), because form trains attention and integrity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā, seated upon a lotus, is shown ‘crafting’ the sacred materials of dharma—spinning cotton into a luminous three-stranded cord while kuśa blades and folded white cloth lie arranged like offerings. The scene blends cosmic origin with intimate ritual detail, making the upavīta appear as a thread connecting heaven to daily conduct.","primary_figures":["Brahmā","attendant sages (optional)"],"setting":"Celestial lotus-throne workshop with ritual implements floating in orderly arrangement","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","celestial gold","cotton white","pale turquoise","kusa green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā on a lotus throne under a gold leaf prabhāmaṇḍala, hands presenting a tri-stranded yajnopavīta, kuśa bundles and folded white cloth rendered with jeweled ornamentation, rich crimson and emerald background panels, heavy gold leaf embossing on the thread and lotus petals.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Brahmā delicately spinning cotton thread, airy celestial space with soft clouds, cool pastel palette, fine detailing on kuśa blades, gentle gold wash on the tri-strand cord, refined serene face.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Brahmā with bold outlines, stylized lotus seat, clear depiction of three-stranded cord, flat natural pigments (red/yellow/green), ornamental borders like temple murals.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus with Brahmā holding the yajnopavīta, surrounding lotus motifs and floral borders, deep blue field with gold highlights, symmetrical arrangement of kuśa and cloth as decorative mandala elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft drone (tanpura)","temple bells","subtle wind chimes","hushed silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कार्पासमुपवीतार्थं = कार्पासम् + उपवीतार्थम्; वस्त्रमेव = वस्त्रम् + एव; त्रिवृत्सूत्रं = त्रिवृत् + सूत्रम् (समास/सन्धि)।
FAQs
It states that cotton was created for making the upavīta, and that for brāhmaṇas the upavīta is a three-stranded cord, which may be made of kuśa-grass or even of cloth.
Trivṛt-sūtra means a three-fold or three-stranded thread, indicating the prescribed structure of the brāhmaṇa upavīta in this verse.
The verse emphasizes dharma as lived discipline: sacred identity is maintained through prescribed rites and outward symbols, ideally reflecting inner commitment to purity, learning, and right conduct.