Shloka 18
The Episode of Vena: Pṛthu’s Counsel, Royal Proclamation, and Brahmā’s Boon
मनसा कर्मणा वाचा कर्तुं वांछति पातकम् । तेषां शिरांसि त्रुट्यंतु फलं पक्वं यथा द्रुमात्
manasā karmaṇā vācā kartuṃ vāṃchati pātakam | teṣāṃ śirāṃsi truṭyaṃtu phalaṃ pakvaṃ yathā drumāt
जे मनाने, कर्माने वा वाणीने पातक करावयास इच्छितात, त्यांची मस्तके तुटून पडोत—जसे वृक्षावरचे पिकलेले फळ गळते।
Unspecified (contextual speaker not provided in the input excerpt; commonly within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogues such verses occur in narration or admonitory speech)
Concept: Pāpa begins at the level of intention (manas), expression (vāc), and action (karma); dharma condemns the very desire to sin, not only its completion.
Application: Cultivate tri-fold integrity: pause before speaking/acting, examine intention, and redirect harmful impulses through prayer, accountability, and constructive service.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ripe fruit detaches from a tree and falls in slow motion, transforming mid-air into a symbolic ‘head’ of arrogance that shatters upon the ground—an allegory of sin’s inevitable consequence. Around the tree, shadowy figures representing mind, speech, and action reach toward wrongdoing, but a stern dharma-light fractures their intent before it ripens.","primary_figures":["Allegorical figures of Manas (Mind)","Vāc (Speech)","Karma (Action)","Dharma (as luminous force)"],"setting":"A twilight grove with a single ancient tree heavy with fruit, the ground marked by faint yantra-like lines suggesting moral law.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["moon silver","ink black","rust red","leaf green","pale gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central ancient tree with gold-leaf highlights on ripe fruits, one fruit falling and shattering into symbolic fragments, allegorical figures in traditional attire with expressive gestures, ornate border with moral emblems, rich reds/greens and embossed gold to dramatize inevitability.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poetic allegory—delicate tree branches, a single fruit falling, fine stippling for moonlight, subtle personifications of mind/speech/action as graceful yet tempted figures, cool palette with restrained gold accents, lyrical moral storytelling.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined tree and falling fruit, stylized allegorical figures with large eyes, strong contrast between dark temptation and bright dharma aura, temple-fresco symmetry, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens with black grounding.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central tree as a decorative motif with repeating fruits, one emphasized falling fruit rendered as a symbolic medallion, ornate floral borders, deep blue background with gold and silver highlights, allegorical figures arranged like devotional attendants around a moral center."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sharp temple bell strikes","wind through trees","thud of falling fruit (suggested)","brief silence after cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रुट्यंतु (पाठभेद) = त्रुट्यन्तु; वांछति = वाञ्छति (अनुस्वार/ञ्-लोप लेखनभेद).
FAQs
It condemns sin at all three levels—thought, speech, and action—treating even the desire to do wrong as blameworthy and calling for its swift consequence.
It suggests inevitability and suddenness: just as a ripe fruit naturally drops, the consequence for sustained sinful intent is portrayed as sure and imminent.
It explicitly includes intention: “by mind” and “desires to commit sin” indicate that inner resolve and mental inclination are morally significant, not only outward acts.