Shloka 39
Episode of Vena: The Power of Association and Revā (Narmadā) Tīrtha
ऋषय ऊचुः । मातामहस्य को दोषस्तं नो विस्तरतो वद । स मृत्युः स च वै कालः स यमो धर्म एव च
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | mātāmahasya ko doṣastaṃ no vistarato vada | sa mṛtyuḥ sa ca vai kālaḥ sa yamo dharma eva ca
ऋषी म्हणाले—“मातामहाचा कोणता दोष आहे? तो आम्हांस विस्ताराने सांगा. तोच मृत्यु, तोच काल, तोच यम आणि तोच धर्मस्वरूप आहे.”
Ṛṣis (sages)
Concept: Cosmic governance is unified: Death, Time, Yama, and Dharma are interrelated powers; therefore ‘fault’ attributed to such a principle demands careful explanation.
Application: Before blaming fate, lineage, or ‘time’, inquire into causes with humility; distinguish between personal choice (saṅga) and impersonal law (kāla/dharma).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of sages raises a profound question in a quiet sacrificial hall, their faces lit by a steady lamp. Behind them, a symbolic cosmic tableau appears: a shadowy figure of Kāla with a wheel, Yama with a noose, and Dharma as a radiant judge—shown not as separate rivals but as facets of one law.","primary_figures":["Ṛṣis (sages)","symbolic Kāla","symbolic Yama","symbolic Dharma","symbolic Mṛtyu"],"setting":"Hermitage assembly hall with yajña implements, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a central lamp; the cosmic figures appear as a visionary backdrop in the sky or on a tapestry-like aura.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep umber","lamp gold","indigo","vermillion","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sages seated in a semicircle within an ornate mandapa, gold leaf lamp glow and embossed halos; above them a visionary panel: Kāla with a wheel, Yama with pāśa, Dharma enthroned—rendered with traditional iconographic richness, gem-studded ornaments, and a unified golden aura indicating one cosmic order; intricate borders and lotus medallions.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined sages in a quiet hall, subtle visionary cloud above showing Kāla-Yama-Dharma as translucent figures; cool indigo shadows with warm lamp highlights; delicate manuscript details and expressive hands in inquiry mudrā; lyrical restraint, philosophical mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; sages with large eyes and calm intensity; central lamp; above, stylized cosmic figures with strong red/yellow/green pigments, Yama’s noose clearly outlined, Kāla’s wheel motif prominent; temple-wall symmetry and decorative bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: sages framed by ornate floral borders; the cosmic law depicted through symbolic motifs—wheel (kāla), noose (yama), scales or scripture (dharma)—interwoven with lotus patterns; deep blue cloth with gold and white detailing, devotional yet philosophical composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single temple lamp crackle","soft bell at question onset","low tanpura drone","page-turning of manuscripts (subtle)","silence after ‘dharma eva ca’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दोषस्तम् = दोषः + तम्.
FAQs
“Mātāmaha” is a common epithet for Brahmā, regarded as the grandsire of beings through creation and lineage.
The verse compresses a theological idea that cosmic governance is unified: time brings decay, death ends embodied life, Yama administers post-mortem justice, and Dharma is the underlying moral-cosmic law.
It implies that consequences are not arbitrary: the “judge” of deeds functions according to Dharma, encouraging responsibility, restraint, and righteous conduct.