Shloka 21
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
निरीक्ष्य परितोऽनघान्विमलनीरधारानिभान्मनोजवनशोभितान्विमलकीर्तिपुंजप्रभान् । पयोनिधिविशोषको मुनिरुवाचसीतापतिं विचित्रहयदर्शनाद्धृषितनेत्रवक्त्रप्रभः
nirīkṣya parito'naghānvimalanīradhārānibhānmanojavanaśobhitānvimalakīrtipuṃjaprabhān | payonidhiviśoṣako muniruvācasītāpatiṃ vicitrahayadarśanāddhṛṣitanetravaktraprabhaḥ
Setelah meninjau sekeliling para insan yang tiada cela—laksana aliran air suci yang jernih, berseri oleh keindahan sepantas kilat fikiran, dan bercahaya seperti gugusan kemasyhuran yang tidak ternoda—sang resi “Pengering Samudera” pun bertitah kepada Tuhan, suami Sītā. Tatkala melihat kuda yang menakjubkan itu, mata dan wajahnya bersinar kerana sukacita.
The sage (epithet: Payonidhi-viśoṣaka) speaking to Sītā-pati (Rāma).
Concept: The dhārmic king’s ritual enterprise is preceded by purity, auspicious signs, and the recognition of virtue (anagha, vimala-kīrti) as the true radiance around sacred action.
Application: Before undertaking major commitments, cultivate inner and outer śauca (clarity, integrity, good company) so that action is surrounded by ‘pure streams’—clean motives and reputable conduct.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous sacrificial enclosure opens under a clear sky, where faultless attendants and sages stand like living streams of pure water—serene, bright, and swift in service. Agastya, famed as the ‘Ocean-dryer,’ turns toward Rāma with eyes widened in delighted wonder as a wondrous horse, adorned for the rite, gleams at the edge of the altar grounds.","primary_figures":["Rāma (Sītā-pati)","Agastya (Payonidhi-viśoṣaka)","sacrificial attendants","the wondrous Aśvamedha horse"],"setting":"yajña-śālā with vedi (altar), kuśa grass, banners, ritual vessels, and orderly rows of sages and attendants","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rāma as regal Sītā-pati seated near a richly ornamented yajña-vedi, Agastya standing with raised hand in benediction, the Aśvamedha horse adorned with gold caparison and floral garlands; heavy gold leaf halos, ruby-red and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, temple-lamp glow, intricate border motifs of lotuses and conch-shells.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined yajña courtyard with delicate kuśa patterns, slender figures with lyrical expressions; Agastya’s delighted gaze toward the decorated horse, Rāma calm and radiant; cool yet luminous palette, soft gradients, distant trees and gentle hills framing the ritual space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized large eyes; Rāma with blue complexion and ornate crown, Agastya with matted locks and ochre robes; the horse richly patterned; flat temple-wall composition with red/yellow/green dominance and sacred symbols around the vedi.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a ceremonial courtyard filled with lotus borders and floral arabesques; the sacred horse central with garlands, peacocks perched on ritual poles, attendants in symmetrical rows; deep indigo background with gold detailing, ornate frame of lotuses and conches, devotional grandeur."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","murmured Vedic chanting","rustle of kuśa grass","gentle wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परितः + अनघान् → परितोऽनघान्; विमल + नीरधारा + निभान् → विमलनीरधारानिभान्; ...निभान् + मनोजवनशोभितान् → ...निभान्मनोजवनशोभितान्; ...शोभितान् + विमलकीर्तिपुञ्जप्रभान् → ...शोभितान्विमलकीर्तिपुञ्जप्रभान्; मुनिः + उवाच + सीतापतिम् → मुनिरुवाचसीतापतिं; दर्शनात् + हृषित... → दर्शनाद्धृषित... (त् + ह → द्ध)
FAQs
A sage identified by the epithet “Payonidhi-viśoṣaka” (the one who dried up the ocean) speaks to Sītā-pati, i.e., Lord Rāma.
The verse frames the horse as an extraordinary sight that triggers the sage’s visible joy—his face and eyes brighten—signaling an auspicious or important turning point in the narrative.
The verse praises purity and blamelessness (anagha, vimala) and portrays true honor as “stainless fame,” suggesting that spiritual worth is marked by inner purity and virtuous reputation.