Shloka 19
The Account of Sukalā (within the Vena Episode): Truth-Power and the Testing of a Devoted Wife
अंभो यथा पद्मदले गतं वै प्रयाति मुक्ताफलकस्य कीर्तिम् । तद्वत्स्वभावः परिसत्ययुक्तो जज्ञे च तस्यास्तु पतिव्रतायाः
aṃbho yathā padmadale gataṃ vai prayāti muktāphalakasya kīrtim | tadvatsvabhāvaḥ parisatyayukto jajñe ca tasyāstu pativratāyāḥ
Seperti air yang bertakung di kelopak teratai memperoleh kemasyhuran kilau mutiara, demikianlah pada isteri yang pativrata itu lahir tabiat yang dipenuhi kebenaran yang sempurna.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Satya (truthfulness) in a pativratā becomes naturally radiant—like water on lotus becoming pearl-like in fame and brilliance.
Application: Cultivate truthfulness in speech and intention; let truth be ‘unsticking’ like water on lotus—do not let the mind cling to deceit, resentment, or self-justifying narratives.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close, poetic tableau: a lotus leaf holds a bead of water that gleams like a pearl, reflecting the sky. In the background, the pativratā stands serene, her aura subtly luminous, suggesting that truthfulness has crystallized into visible radiance.","primary_figures":["pativratā (devoted wife)","symbolic lotus leaf with water drop (pearl-like)"],"setting":"still pond with blooming lotuses; soft breeze; minimal human architecture to keep the metaphor central","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","jade green","pearl white","sky blue","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a large lotus leaf foreground with a pearl-like water droplet rendered with bright highlights, gold leaf accents on the droplet and lotus veins; the pativratā behind with a gentle gold aura, rich reds and greens, ornate floral border motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical pond scene with delicate lotus clusters, a magnified water bead on a leaf, cool blues and greens, fine gradations and refined facial serenity for the woman, poetic negative space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized lotus pond with bold outlines, the droplet depicted as a bright white orb, the woman in calm frontal stance, warm ochres and greens, temple-wall narrative symbolism.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus pond filled with repeating lotus motifs, central oversized lotus leaf with pearl-like droplet, ornate floral borders, deep blue water with gold highlights, devotional symmetry emphasizing purity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","soft tanpura drone","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अंभो→अम्भः; तद्वत्स्वभावः→तद्वत् + स्वभावः; परिसत्ययुक्तो→परिसत्ययुक्तः (visarga before voiced consonant); तस्यास्तु→तस्याः + अस्तु.
FAQs
It praises the innate virtue of a pativratā (devoted wife), highlighting that perfect truthfulness (satya) naturally arises in such a person.
The simile conveys purity and radiant excellence: water on a lotus leaf remains unstained and gleaming, symbolizing how virtue—especially truthfulness—shines in one established in dharma.
Cultivating satya (truthfulness) and integrity makes one’s character luminous and respected, just as the lotus-water image suggests an unstained, elevated quality.