Shloka 24
The Glory of Truthful Oaths and Keeping One’s Promise
Satya & Pratijñā
ब्राह्मण उवाच । कृत्वा शुभ क्षणं मह्यं देहि कन्यां शुभान्विताम् । विलंबे बहुविघ्नं स्यादिति शास्त्रेषु निश्चितम्
brāhmaṇa uvāca | kṛtvā śubha kṣaṇaṃ mahyaṃ dehi kanyāṃ śubhānvitām | vilaṃbe bahuvighnaṃ syāditi śāstreṣu niścitam
Brāhmaṇa itu berkata: “Tetapkan untukku saat yang mujarab, lalu serahkan kepadaku gadis yang dihiasi sifat-sifat mulia. Kerana śāstra telah menetapkan: jika berlengah, banyak halangan akan timbul.”
Brāhmaṇa (a Brahmin suitor)
Concept: Śāstra-guided timing (śubha-kṣaṇa) safeguards dharmic acts; procrastination invites vighna (obstacles).
Application: Choose the right time and prepare well for important commitments; avoid delay in ethical duties and spiritual practices.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brāhmaṇa, composed yet insistent, points toward a prepared almanac and ritual fire, urging the rite to proceed at the chosen auspicious moment. Attendants adjust garlands and lamps, while the sky shows a precise alignment—sun just at the right angle—suggesting the fragile window of śubha-kāla.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa (speaker)","Vīra-vikramaḥ (king)","attendants","maiden (veiled, in background)"],"setting":"Ritual courtyard with pañcāṅga (almanac) on a low stand, agni-kuṇḍa ready, garlands, lamps, and a canopy for the marriage rite.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","lamp-flame gold","white jasmine","scarlet","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: brāhmaṇa in pristine garments gesturing toward a pañcāṅga and glowing agni; the king attentive; gold leaf highlighting the fire, lamps, and auspicious symbols; rich reds/greens, ornate canopy, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconographic framing of a dharmic moment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene of a brāhmaṇa advising urgency, with a small painted pañcāṅga, refined textiles, and a dawn sky; lyrical courtyard plants and soft architecture; subtle tension conveyed through posture and gaze.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized dawn gradient; brāhmaṇa’s instructive gesture prominent; ritual objects simplified yet iconic; red/yellow/green palette with decorative borders of lotus and auspicious marks.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: auspicious-moment theme with ornate floral borders, lamps, and lotus motifs; deep blue background with gold highlights; central agni and pañcāṅga; peacocks and vines framing the urgency of śubha-kṣaṇa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells (light)","fire crackle","murmured mantra undertone","birds at dawn","conch shell (very distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुभान्विताम् = शुभ + अन्विताम्; स्यादिति = स्यात् + इति
FAQs
It presents selecting an auspicious moment as a śāstric practice and urges completing the marriage promptly once the muhūrta is fixed.
The verse states that delay (vilaṃba) can lead to many obstacles (bahu-vighna), a principle said to be established in the scriptures.
It emphasizes timely action aligned with dharma: once a rightful, auspicious arrangement is made, unnecessary postponement should be avoided to prevent complications.