Shloka 39
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
कर्णौ पिधाय गंतव्यं न चैनमवलोकयेत् । वर्ज्जयेद्वै रहस्यानि परेषां गर्हणं बुधः
karṇau pidhāya gaṃtavyaṃ na cainamavalokayet | varjjayedvai rahasyāni pareṣāṃ garhaṇaṃ budhaḥ
ചെവികൾ മൂടി അവിടെ നിന്ന് മാറിപ്പോകണം; അവനെ നോക്കുകയും അരുത്. ബുദ്ധിമാൻ രഹസ്യസംഭാഷണവും പരനിന്ദയും ഒഴിവാക്കണം.
Unspecified (general didactic instruction within Svargakhaṇḍa narration)
Concept: Guard the ear and eye from gossip and slander; disengagement is a form of ethical tapas.
Application: When conversation turns to confidential talk or disparagement, physically step away; avoid eye-contact that signals participation; redirect to constructive topics or silent japa.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm, learned brāhmaṇa traveler pauses on a forest path as a cluster of townsfolk whisper in a shadowed corner. He gently covers his ears with both hands, turns his face away without contempt, and walks toward a distant Viṣṇu shrine, choosing silence over complicity.","primary_figures":["a wise brāhmaṇa (dhārmika traveler)","whispering townsfolk","a distant Viṣṇu shrine (symbolic)"],"setting":"Forest-edge path leading to a small temple courtyard; banyan and aśvattha trees; a low stone platform where gossipers sit.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","smoke gray","vermillion accent","temple-lamp gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dhārmika brāhmaṇa with serene face covers his ears and turns away from whispering figures; distant Viṣṇu shrine with gold-leaf vimāna, rich red-green textiles, gem-studded ornaments on the shrine icon, ornate floral borders, high contrast sacred glow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate brushwork shows a quiet forest path, refined faces, the wise man covering his ears while walking away; cool greens and soft browns, lyrical trees, distant small temple with fluttering flag, subtle emotion and restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized eyes, the brāhmaṇa in simple ochre garments covering ears; gossipers in darker tones; temple lamp and Viṣṇu emblem in the background; red-yellow-green palette with rhythmic foliage patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central motif of a path leading to a Viṣṇu shrine framed by lotus and creeper borders; the wise figure covering ears as a moral allegory; peacocks and floral filigree, deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","rustling leaves","distant conch shell","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṃtavyaṃ → gantavyam; cainamavalokayet → ca enam avalokayet; varjjayedvai → varjayet vai (orthographic gemination); pareṣāṃ garhaṇaṃ (no sandhi)
FAQs
It advises immediate disengagement—do not listen, do not watch, and physically leave when encountering slander, malicious talk, or secretive gossip.
It emphasizes complete non-participation: avoiding both hearing and visual attention so one is not drawn into or complicit in harmful speech.
A wise person protects dharma by refusing to entertain others’ secrets and by avoiding criticism or disparagement of people.