Shloka 61
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
अलाभेत्वन्यगेहानां पूर्वं पूर्वं विवर्जयेत् । सर्वं वा विचरेद्ग्रामं पूर्वोक्तानामसंभवे
alābhetvanyagehānāṃ pūrvaṃ pūrvaṃ vivarjayet | sarvaṃ vā vicaredgrāmaṃ pūrvoktānāmasaṃbhave
മറ്റു വീടുകളിൽ ഭിക്ഷ ലഭിക്കാതിരുന്നാൽ, മുമ്പ് സമീപിച്ച വീടുകളെ ക്രമമായി ഒഴിവാക്കണം; അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മുൻപറഞ്ഞ മാർഗങ്ങൾ അസാധ്യമായാൽ, മുഴുവൻ ഗ്രാമവും ചുറ്റി നടക്കാം।
Unspecified (context-dependent; likely within an instructional discourse on conduct in Svarga-khaṇḍa)
Concept: When alms are not obtained, proceed methodically—avoid repeatedly burdening the same households; only if necessary, extend the round to the whole village. Dharma includes tact, patience, and minimizing harm.
Application: If help is not available, do not pressure the same people; broaden options calmly and accept outcomes without resentment.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brahmacārin walks a circular route through a village, marked by small chalk symbols at doorways he has already approached, showing the ‘step-by-step’ restraint. The village unfolds as a calm mandala of homes, fields, and a small shrine—his movement is orderly, unhurried, and free of desperation.","primary_figures":["brahmacārin","village householders (supporting figures)"],"setting":"village streets with clustered homes, grain stores, a banyan tree, and a small roadside shrine","lighting_mood":"late afternoon calm","color_palette":["dusty gold","banyan green","terracotta","sky blue","cream"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: village mandala composition with the brahmacārin moving along a patterned path; gold leaf accents on shrine lamps and borders; rich terracotta and green tones; decorative doorway motifs indicating previously visited homes; traditional South Indian ornamental framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic village scene with delicate architecture and trees; the student’s route shown as a gentle curve; soft pastel sky, refined figures, quiet narrative clarity without drama.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized village elements—banyan, shrine, huts—outlined boldly; the brahmacārin repeated in small sequential positions to show movement; warm pigments and rhythmic patterning.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: circular village-route motif like a garland; floral borders and lotus medallions; deep blue ground with gold highlights; small shrine at center, emphasizing regulated wandering as a devotional pattern."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["village ambience","cows lowing (distant)","wind through banyan leaves","soft bell at shrine"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अलाभेत्वन्यगेहानां = अलाभे + तु + अन्यगेहानाम्; विचरेद्ग्रामं = विचरेत् + ग्रामम्; पूर्वोक्तानामसंभवे = पूर्वोक्तानाम् + असंभवे.
FAQs
It advises restraint and orderliness: if alms are not obtained from certain households, one should progressively avoid repeatedly approaching them, and only if other stated options are not feasible should one circulate through the whole village.
The verse highlights non-intrusiveness and self-discipline—minimizing burden on others and avoiding persistence where support is not forthcoming.
It reflects sadācāra (proper conduct) and regulated livelihood practices, a recurring Purāṇic theme that balances personal need with social dignity and consideration for householders.