Shloka 18
The Marks of Merit and the Destinies of Beings
Divine vs Demonic Traits
न मंत्रेषु न देवेषु कल्पंते ते सुरद्विषः । अग्रजः सहजस्तेषां सदृङ्नो ग्राम्यवृत्तयः
na maṃtreṣu na deveṣu kalpaṃte te suradviṣaḥ | agrajaḥ sahajasteṣāṃ sadṛṅno grāmyavṛttayaḥ
Mereka yang membenci para dewa tidak mendapat tempat—baik dalam mantra suci mahupun di sisi para dewa; mereka tidak akan tegak. Yang tua dalam kalangan mereka pun lahir dari kelompok mereka sendiri; dan cara hidup mereka, seperti pandangan mereka, kasar dan kebendaan.
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the excerpt; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame for Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Hostility to the divine makes one unfit for mantra and devata communion; inner disposition determines access to sacred power.
Application: Cultivate reverence and gratitude; avoid cynical contempt toward sacred practices; refine speech and habits to become ‘mantra-adhikārī’ (fit recipient).
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual hall where sacred fire and mantra syllables appear as luminous script in the air—yet around a dark-hearted figure the light refuses to touch, leaving a void. Priests and devas are shown as distant, radiant presences, while the figure’s coarse ‘grāmya’ aura manifests as dust and thorny weeds creeping into the sanctum.","primary_figures":["a ritualist/priest (symbolic)","luminous mantra syllables (visualized)","devas as radiant silhouettes","a deva-dviṣ figure (symbolic)","Agni (sacrificial fire, symbolic)"],"setting":"A yajña-śālā (sacrificial pavilion) with a homa-kunda, kusa grass, and hanging garlands—partly overrun by symbolic weeds near the impure figure.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit with zones of radiance and shadow","color_palette":["saffron","smoke gray","lamp gold","deep teal","ash white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a yajña pavilion with Agni in the kunda, gold leaf flames and mantra glyphs; devas as small radiant icons above; the deva-dviṣ figure in shadowed tones, ornate borders, rich reds/greens, gold leaf emphasizing sacred zones and the ‘refusal’ of light around the impure heart.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined yajña scene with delicate architecture, floating Devanagari mantra forms as pale gold; subtle psychological contrast—soft glow around priests, cool shadow around the hostile figure; gentle landscape beyond the pavilion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized fire and mantra glyphs; strong contrast between luminous sacred area and darkened figure; traditional mural palette with dominant yellows/reds and deep greens.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative sanctum scene with floral borders; central homa-kunda and lotus motifs; mantra glyphs as patterned bands; the hostile figure placed at the edge where the design intentionally ‘breaks’ into thorn motifs; deep blue ground with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["homa fire crackle","soft bell","low Vedic chanting drone","brief pauses of silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कल्पंते = कल्पन्ते (लिप्यन्तर-भेद); सहजस्तेषाम् = सहजः + तेषाम्; सदृङ्नो = सदृक् + नः (क्→ङ् before न)
FAQs
It warns that hostility toward the devas undermines one’s spiritual fitness—such people are described as unqualified for mantra-based sacred life and inclined toward coarse, worldly conduct.
No. It targets “sura-dviṣaḥ” (haters of the gods), implying that the inner disposition (reverence vs. hostility) affects one’s eligibility and receptivity to mantra and devotional practice.
It links contempt for sacred beings with moral and social degeneration, urging reverence, humility, and refinement of conduct as foundations for spiritual life.