Shloka 81
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
उच्छ्रायाः पतनांताश्च नगास्तु गिरयः शुभे । कालेन पीडिता यांति तद्वद्भूताश्च नान्यथा
ucchrāyāḥ patanāṃtāśca nagāstu girayaḥ śubhe | kālena pīḍitā yāṃti tadvadbhūtāśca nānyathā
Wahai yang berbahagia, gunung-ganang dan puncak yang menjulang, setinggi mana pun, akhirnya berakhir dengan kejatuhan; dihimpit oleh Kāla (Waktu), ia lenyap. Demikian juga makhluk bernyawa—tiada kesudahan lain.
Uncertain (Bhūmi-khaṇḍa commonly frames teachings as Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma; verse-level speaker not explicitly provided in the input).
Concept: Kāla (Time) overcomes all compounded things; therefore embodied beings inevitably decline and pass away.
Application: Practice urgency in spiritual life: simplify attachments, keep vows, and prioritize remembrance of Vishnu before time erodes opportunity.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A towering mountain range is shown with one peak crumbling into a valley, rocks cascading like a slow waterfall, while an unseen force of Time is symbolized by a vast shadowy wheel in the sky. In the foreground, a sage points to the falling stones as a human figure contemplates mortality, hands folded in quiet resolve.","primary_figures":["symbolic Kāla (time-wheel)","teaching sage","contemplative listener","personified mountain spirits (optional subtle)"],"setting":"High mountain pass with broken cliffs, wind-swept pines, distant snowline; a small hermitage clinging to the slope.","lighting_mood":"storm-cleared twilight","color_palette":["slate gray","snow white","deep indigo","rust brown","pale gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic mountain tableau with stylized crumbling peak, gold-leaf time-wheel (cakra) dominating the upper register; sage and listener in the lower register with ornate garments, rich reds and greens, heavy gold highlights on the wheel and halos, decorative arch border framing the scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Himalayan landscape with delicate ridgelines and mist; a peak shedding stones into a riverbed, sage gesturing gently; subtle symbolic wheel of time in the sky rendered as a translucent disc, cool mountain palette, refined facial features, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of mountains in layered bands, a large circular Kāla-cakra overhead; sage and listener with expressive eyes, patterned garments; earthy reds/yellows/greens with black contouring, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central circular time-wheel surrounded by floral borders; mountains rendered as stylized triangular forms with cascading rock motifs; small devotional figure at bottom offering a lamp to the imperishable Lord beyond time, deep blues with gold and white detailing, intricate border lotuses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["mountain wind","distant thunder","low temple bell","conch shell (soft, concluding)","silence after cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पतनांताः = पतन-अन्ताः; नगास्तु = नगाः + तु; तद्वद्भूताः = तद्वत् + भूताः; नान्यथा = न + अन्यथा.
FAQs
It presents Time as an irresistible force that wears down even mountains; therefore all conditioned beings are also subject to decline and death.
Mountains symbolize what seems most stable and enduring; if even they end in downfall under Time, then human power, wealth, and status are even more fragile.
Recognizing impermanence encourages humility, detachment from pride and possessions, and urgency in practicing dharma and cultivating inner steadiness.