Shloka 43
The Meeting with Agastya
Rāma Praised by the Gods; Phalaśruti; Ideal Reign; Prelude to Agastya’s Arrival
बाणेषु गुणविश्लेषो बंधोक्तिः पुस्तके दृढा । स्नेहत्यागः खलेष्वेव न च वै स्वजने जने
bāṇeṣu guṇaviśleṣo baṃdhoktiḥ pustake dṛḍhā | snehatyāgaḥ khaleṣveva na ca vai svajane jane
Pada anak panah, tali terlerai menjadi serat; pada kitab, jilidnya tetap kukuh. Tinggalkan kasih sayang hanya terhadap orang jahat, dan jangan sekali-kali terhadap kaum kerabat sendiri.
Unspecified (gnomic/nīti-style statement within the narrative context of Pātāla-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Detach from the wicked, not from one’s rightful kin/community; discriminate between harmful association and sacred obligation.
Application: Set boundaries with exploitative people; keep commitments to family/community when they are dhārmic; cultivate sat-saṅga and avoid corrosive company.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A split arrow-cord frays into strands in the foreground, while beside it a palm-leaf manuscript sits tightly bound with a firm cord and wooden covers. Behind them, two human figures stand contrasted: one shadowy, deceitful ‘khala’ being turned away, and one luminous ‘svajana’ being embraced with steady, restrained affection.","primary_figures":["symbolic archer’s arrow","bound manuscript (pustaka/grantha)","svajana (virtuous kin)","khala (wicked person)"],"setting":"a quiet study-courtyard near a royal armory: weapon rack on one side, manuscript shelf on the other; moral choice staged between them.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit with calm, ethical clarity","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","ink black","copper brown","emerald green","soft saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: allegorical composition with a richly ornamented manuscript bound firmly at center, a frayed arrow-string to one side; gold leaf halos around the ‘svajana’ figure, deep reds/greens in textiles, gem-like highlights on manuscript clasps, ornate border motifs emphasizing dharma and discernment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined courtyard scene with delicate linework—an arrow with fraying cord, a neatly tied pothī manuscript, two figures in gentle gesture of loyalty; cool palette with soft saffron accents, lyrical trees and distant hills, subtle facial expressions conveying ethical resolve.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized props—arrow, cord strands, manuscript binding—paired with archetypal figures of ‘khala’ and ‘svajana’; strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall symmetry, didactic iconographic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central manuscript motif surrounded by floral borders; cords and knots rendered as decorative patterns; two flanking figures—dark and light—like moral guardians; deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate vine work and lotus medallions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","page-rustle","distant tanpura drone","night insects","quiet footsteps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुणविश्लेषो = गुण-विश्लेषः (अः + ओ); बंधोक्तिः = बन्ध-उक्तिः; खलेष्वेव = खलेषु एव (उ + ए → वे); स्वजने = स्व-जने.
FAQs
It advises discernment in relationships: withdraw affection only from the wicked, while maintaining loyalty and care toward one’s own family and well-wishers.
They function as analogies: an arrow’s cord can be ‘unstranded’ (separated), whereas a book’s binding is meant to be firm—likewise, bonds should not be loosened with one’s own people, except in the case of the wicked.
No. The verse’s key qualifier is moral character: it explicitly recommends giving up affection for the wicked, implying that ethical discernment overrides mere social closeness.