Shloka 17
The Account of Women
Householder Ethics, Fault, Merit, and Govinda-Nāma as Purification
सर्वासामपि नारीणां स्वान्तं जानासि तत्त्वतः । तन्मां कथय सर्वेषु विनीतमज्ञमत्र च
sarvāsāmapi nārīṇāṃ svāntaṃ jānāsi tattvataḥ | tanmāṃ kathaya sarveṣu vinītamajñamatra ca
Engkau mengetahui dengan sebenar-benarnya hati batin semua wanita. Maka, mohon jelaskan kepadaku—yang rendah hati dan jahil—di sini, di hadapan semua.
Unspecified (a respectful inquirer addressing a knowledgeable person)
Concept: Admitting ignorance and requesting guidance openly is itself a virtue and a prerequisite for receiving subtle knowledge.
Application: In difficult conversations, state your limits without defensiveness; ask for clarity ‘in front of all’ to avoid secrecy and self-deception.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The inquirer stands with folded hands, head slightly bowed, confessing ignorance before Devī and the gathered divine attendants. Pārvatī listens with calm authority, her expression suggesting that truth is best spoken plainly and received without shame.","primary_figures":["Pārvatī","Nārada (as inquirer)","(optional) attendant devas/gaṇas"],"setting":"Assembly-like terrace near a Himalayan shrine, with a semi-circle of listeners and a central teaching seat.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pearl white","lotus pink","antique gold","midnight blue","sage green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Devī enthroned with gold leaf aura, attendants symmetrically placed; the sage in añjali, eyes lowered in humility; ornate gold borders, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing emphasizing the solemnity of public instruction.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court-of-the-mountains scene—Devī seated, sage standing respectfully; delicate textiles, soft gradients in the sky, cool blues and pinks, intimate expressions capturing vinaya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Devī with teaching gesture, sage in supplication; bold outlines, saturated pigments, decorative bands and stylized foliage framing a didactic panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical devotional composition with floral borders; central Devī, side figure of the sage; deep blue background with gold filigree, lotus motifs signifying purity of intention."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["gentle bell","tanpura drone","soft silence between phrases","distant wind","low conch (very faint)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वासामपि = सर्वासाम् + अपि; तन्माम् = तत् + माम्; विनीतमज्ञम् = विनीतम् + अज्ञम् (म् + अ → म).
FAQs
It highlights reverent inquiry: the speaker acknowledges the other’s deep insight into inner motives (svānta) and requests instruction while openly admitting humility and lack of knowledge.
Svānta literally means one’s inner mind/heart—one’s inward disposition, intentions, and psychological state, not merely external behavior.
It models humility and teachability: admitting ignorance and asking respectfully for guidance—especially in matters of human nature—rather than asserting certainty.