Shloka 119
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
तस्माद्गृध्रस्त्वसत्यो वै पापकर्मापरालयम् । स्वीयं करोति पापात्मा दण्डनीयो न संशयः
tasmādgṛdhrastvasatyo vai pāpakarmāparālayam | svīyaṃ karoti pāpātmā daṇḍanīyo na saṃśayaḥ
Oleh itu burung hering ini benar-benar pendusta—pelaku dosa yang tidak memberi perlindungan. Si berdosa itu menjadikan milik orang lain sebagai miliknya; tanpa syak lagi dia wajar dihukum.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Adhyaya; likely within a dialogue context, but not identifiable from this single verse alone)
Concept: Deceit, appropriation of others’ property, and refusal to give refuge are adharma and warrant punishment.
Application: Do not exploit others’ resources; be trustworthy; offer refuge/help when able; accept accountability for wrongdoing.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tense forest clearing where a vulture stands accused, feathers ruffled, eyes sharp and evasive. A righteous figure points in judgment while onlookers—sages or attendants—watch, the air heavy with the demand for justice and the warning against deceit.","primary_figures":["Accused vulture (symbolic wrongdoer)","Righteous judge/kingly figure (implied)","Witnesses (sages/attendants)"],"setting":"Forest edge near a hermitage path; scattered leaves, a low stone, distant thatched huts","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["dry leaf brown","smoky gray","ochre","deep green","blood red accent"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dharma-judgment tableau with a regal figure seated under a stylized tree, finger raised in admonition, the vulture below with detailed plumage; gold leaf outlining the throne, ornaments, and border; rich reds and greens, formal symmetry, didactic inscription-like feel.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate woodland scene with delicate foliage, expressive faces, the vulture rendered with fine feather strokes; muted earth tones, subtle emotional tension, refined gestures conveying moral censure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and flat colors, central admonishing figure with large eyes, vulture in profile; patterned background foliage, traditional red-yellow-green palette with black contour emphasis.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: moral allegory composition—central dharma figure framed by floral borders, the vulture below amid lotus-vine motifs turned thorny; deep blue ground with gold and ochre detailing, ornamental but didactic."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","stern drum pulse (mridang-like)","distant crow calls","brief bell strike"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माद्गृध्रः = तस्मात् + गृध्रः; गृध्रस्त्वसत्यः = गृध्रः + तु + असत्यः; पापकर्मापरालयम् = पापकर्म + अपरालयम्; दग्धोऽयं (elsewhere) type sandhi not in this verse.
FAQs
It condemns deceit and appropriation of others’ property, stating that such a person is unquestionably deserving of punishment under dharma.
The vulture functions as a moral symbol for predatory greed—taking what is not rightfully one’s own and acting without truthfulness or compassion.
Yes. It explicitly asserts that sinful conduct such as deceit and wrongful taking leads to daṇḍa (punitive consequence), emphasizing accountability.