Shloka 13
The Account of Sukalā: Chastity Overcomes Kāma and an Indra-like Trial
प्रीत्या समेता रतिः कामभार्या गत्वाब्रवीत्सा सुकलां विहस्य । स्वस्त्यस्तु ते स्वागतमेव भद्रे रमस्व प्रीत्या नयनाभिरामम्
prītyā sametā ratiḥ kāmabhāryā gatvābravītsā sukalāṃ vihasya | svastyastu te svāgatameva bhadre ramasva prītyā nayanābhirāmam
कामाची प्रिय पत्नी रती प्रेमाने भरून सुकलेकडे गेली आणि हसत म्हणाली— “भद्रे, तुझे कल्याण असो; तुझे खरेच स्वागत आहे. या नेत्रांना रम्य स्थानी प्रेमाने रम.”
Rati (wife of Kāma)
Concept: Worldly sweetness and auspicious speech can be enchanting, yet the Purāṇic frame often implies discernment: choose the truly auspicious (svasti) that culminates in devotion, not mere indulgence.
Application: Use pleasant speech to bless and uplift others, but keep your ‘welcome’ anchored in values—invite people into wholesome joy (satsaṅga, kīrtana) rather than draining pleasures.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rati approaches Sukalā through a flowering grove, her face bright with affectionate mirth, one hand raised in blessing as she speaks ‘svasti’. Sukalā stands amid fragrant blossoms and soft breezes, the place itself rendered ‘nayanābhirāma’—a garden of sensuous beauty—while the atmosphere hints at the delicate boundary between charm and spiritual peril.","primary_figures":["Rati","Sukalā"],"setting":"A pleasure-grove with flowering vines, a pavilion, and a distant forested hill; petals scattered on a polished stone path.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["lotus pink","pearl white","midnight blue","emerald green","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rati in rich silk with gem-studded ornaments, smiling as she blesses Sukalā; gold leaf on jewelry, pavilion arches, and moon halo; lush reds and greens, ornate floral borders, classical South Indian decorative density.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate garden scene under a cool moon; Rati’s refined expression and gentle laughter; Sukalā poised among blossoms; delicate brushwork, lyrical naturalism, soft gradients in sky and foliage, elegant textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Rati and Sukalā with bold outlines and stylized eyes; garden rendered with rhythmic floral motifs; warm reds/yellows/greens balanced with deep blue night; temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders, lotus and creeper motifs; central vignette of Rati welcoming Sukalā; peacocks and flowering trees as decorative fillers; deep blues and gold, intricate textile-like patterning, celebratory elegance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft ankle bells","gentle flute","night insects","distant temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गत्वा+अब्रवीत्+सा → गत्वाब्रवीत्सा; स्वस्ति+अस्तु → स्वस्त्यस्तु; स्वागतम्+एव → स्वागतमेव. Compound resolved: काम-भार्या; नयन-अभिरामम्.
FAQs
Rati, described as Kāma’s wife, speaks to Sukalā, greeting her warmly.
It emphasizes affectionate welcome and auspicious hospitality—blessing the guest and inviting her to delight in a beautiful place.
It means “pleasing to the eyes,” indicating a visually charming, delightful setting in which Sukalā is invited to enjoy herself.