Shloka 5
Teaching of Karma-yoga
Student Conduct, Vedic Study, and Gāyatrī Supremacy
नोदाहरेदस्य नाम परोक्षमपि केवलम् । न चैवास्यानुकुर्वीत गतिभाषणचेष्टितम्
nodāharedasya nāma parokṣamapi kevalam | na caivāsyānukurvīta gatibhāṣaṇaceṣṭitam
അവന്റെ പേര് പരോക്ഷമായിട്ടുപോലും, വെറും പറയാനായി, ഉച്ചരിക്കരുത്. അവന്റെ നടപ്പ്, വാക്ക്, പ്രവർത്തനം എന്നിവ അനുകരിക്കയും അരുത്.
Unspecified (narrative injunction; speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Do not utter the guru’s name casually (even indirectly) and never imitate his gait, speech, or manner—protect the teacher’s dignity and the sanctity of the learning bond.
Application: Avoid sarcasm, mimicry, or casual name-dropping about mentors/elders; practice respectful speech, especially in private conversations and social settings.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A group of students sit together after class; one begins to mimic the guru’s walk and tone, but another gently stops him, palms joined, reminding him of the boundary of respect. In the background, the guru’s silhouette passes quietly, underscoring the gravity of speech and imitation as potential offense.","primary_figures":["Guru (ācārya)","Students (one tempted to mock, one restraining)"],"setting":"Gurukula courtyard with a shaded veranda, sandals lined neatly, and manuscripts wrapped in cloth","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver gray","muted saffron","dark teak","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: courtyard scene with students in the foreground—one mid-gesture of imitation, another halting him with añjali; the guru in the background with a dignified aura; gold leaf used sparingly to highlight the guru’s sanctity and the moral ‘line’ between reverence and mockery, rich maroons and greens, ornate border with lotus and chakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: moonlit courtyard with delicate expressions capturing embarrassment and restraint; the guru’s calm figure in the distance, students in intimate grouping; cool blues and silvers, fine architectural details, lyrical night atmosphere with a thin crescent moon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, dramatic contrast—students’ exaggerated mimic posture versus the composed guru; deep blue background with red/yellow/green accents, stylized veranda pillars, mural framing bands emphasizing ethical injunction.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: moral tableau framed by lotus vines; central group of students with one restrained from mockery, guru figure sanctified by subtle conch/chakra motifs; deep indigo cloth, gold highlights, intricate floral border and peacocks perched along the top band."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sudden hush","anklet-like footstep fade (guru passing)","night insects","single bell chime as warning"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नोदाहरेत् = न + उदाहरेत्; परोक्षमपि = परोक्षम् + अपि (म् + अ → म); चैवास्य = च + एव + अस्य; अस्यानुकुर्वीत = अस्य + अनुकुर्वीत (y + a → yā by sandhi in writing).
FAQs
It instructs restraint: do not even mention the person’s name indirectly, and do not imitate their mannerisms—gait, speech, or actions—thereby avoiding normalization or propagation of their influence.
The emphasis suggests that even subtle or veiled references can keep attention fixed on an unworthy model; the verse promotes disengagement at the level of speech and thought, not only explicit praise or direct mention.
It frames discipline as comprehensive: avoid verbal repetition (name), behavioral mimicry (gait and gestures), and stylistic adoption (speech), since imitation can gradually shape one’s character and social influence.