Shloka 41
The Tale of the Five Pretas and the Glory of Puṣkara & the Eastern Sarasvatī
तुल्यो मानेऽपमाने च तुल्यः कांचनलोष्टयोः । तुल्यः शत्रौ च मित्रे च न प्रेतो जायते नरः
tulyo māne'pamāne ca tulyaḥ kāṃcanaloṣṭayoḥ | tulyaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca na preto jāyate naraḥ
Sesiapa yang tetap sama dalam kehormatan dan kehinaan, memandang emas dan segumpal tanah setara, serta bersikap seimbang terhadap musuh dan sahabat—dia tidak akan lahir sebagai preta.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 32; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Equanimity in honor/dishonor, wealth/poverty, friend/enemy prevents preta-bhāva and indicates inner purification.
Application: Practice non-reactivity: pause before responding to praise/blame; simplify attachment to possessions; cultivate goodwill toward difficult people while keeping discernment.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm ascetic stands at a crossroads where one side offers garlands and gold, the other throws dust and insults; his expression remains tranquil. In his open palm, a gold coin and a clod of earth rest equally, while behind him a faint storm of emotions subsides into a clear sky, symbolizing inner victory.","primary_figures":["Equanimous sādhaka (ascetic or devotee)","Symbolic figures of praise and blame (townsfolk)"],"setting":"Edge of a village with a banyan tree and a simple path leading to a small Vishnu shrine in the distance, suggesting refuge beyond social dualities.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pearl white","storm grey","saffron","deep indigo","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central serene sādhaka with a luminous halo, holding gold and a clod of earth on a lotus-like palm gesture; on either side, stylized figures offering garlands and hurling dust; gold leaf halo and ornaments, rich crimson-green background, ornate arch with śaṅkha-cakra motifs subtly indicating Vaishnava grounding.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate village-edge scene under a banyan; two groups of townsfolk—one honoring, one insulting—painted with refined expressions; the sādhaka’s face remains still, cool mountain palette with lyrical sky clearing after clouds, a tiny distant Vishnu temple on the horizon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, symmetrical dual groups flanking the central figure; expressive large eyes conveying serenity; red/yellow/green pigments, decorative borders; gold/clod rendered as iconic symbols in the palm, aura radiating outward to quiet the surrounding agitation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central figure seated in calm, surrounded by lotus motifs; duality symbols (garland and dust) arranged like a mandala; deep blue ground with gold highlights, intricate floral borders, subtle śaṅkha-cakra patterns suggesting devotion transcending worldly honor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft drone (tanpura)","wind through leaves","distant temple bell","brief silences","footsteps fading"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: माने + अपमाने → मानेऽपमाने (अ + अ → ’/अवग्रह).
FAQs
It teaches equanimity: staying steady in praise and blame, valuing gold and a mere clod equally, and maintaining impartiality toward friend and enemy.
It implies that a life grounded in balance, non-attachment, and even-mindedness helps prevent an unsettled post-mortem state described as becoming a preta.
Practice non-reactivity to social validation, reduce attachment to wealth, and cultivate impartial goodwill—responding from dharma rather than from ego or resentment.