Shloka 94
The Marks of Merit and the Destinies of Beings
Divine vs Demonic Traits
पूर्ववद्भक्षणे प्रीतो ह्यद्यपापं करोति च । स्तेयशीलो निशाचारी बुधैर्ज्ञेयस्स वंचकः
pūrvavadbhakṣaṇe prīto hyadyapāpaṃ karoti ca | steyaśīlo niśācārī budhairjñeyassa vaṃcakaḥ
Bersuka dalam makan seperti dahulu, dia melakukan dosa hari demi hari. Bertabiat mencuri dan berkeliaran pada malam hari—ketahuilah, kata para bijaksana, dia itu seorang penipu.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 76; verse functions as a moral characterization)
Concept: Habitual sin normalizes itself; the wise must identify deception—especially theft and nocturnal wrongdoing—and refuse complicity.
Application: Track repeated ‘small’ wrongs; if a pattern forms, intervene early. Choose trustworthy company; set boundaries with exploitative people.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A shadowy figure slips through narrow lanes at night, clutching stolen goods, while by lamplight a group of elders point him out with stern, discerning faces. The contrast between his indulgent feasting and his secret theft is shown through split-scene symbolism: a bright platter in one corner, a dark alley in the other.","primary_figures":["the deceiver (vañcaka)","wise elders (budhāḥ)","townspeople (background)"],"setting":"nighttime city lane with oil lamps, closed doors, a small courtyard where elders sit in judgment-like posture","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["midnight blue","lamp-flame amber","smoky gray","deep maroon","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: nocturnal moral tableau with a thief in dynamic pose, elders seated with authoritative gestures, gold leaf on lamp halos and ornaments, rich maroons and greens, stylized architecture and patterned textiles, clear didactic composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate night scene with delicate lamp glow, refined faces of elders, cool blues and soft ambers, detailed brickwork and textiles, narrative split-panel effect showing feasting versus theft.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, dramatic chiaroscuro via flat pigments, expressive eyes, the deceiver rendered with tense posture, elders with calm authority, red-yellow-green palette anchored by deep blue night field.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical night-lane framed by ornate floral borders, peacocks subdued in dark tones, deep blue ground with gold lamp motifs, central figure of the deceiver contrasted with a circular medallion of ‘sattvic counsel’ by elders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["night insects","soft footfalls","door latch creak","single bell strike","tense silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्ववद्भक्षणे = पूर्ववत् + भक्षणे; ह्यद्यपापं = हि + अद्य + पापम्; बुधैर्ज्ञेयस्स = बुधैः + ज्ञेयः + सः (visarga sandhi: ज्ञेयः सः → ज्ञेयस्सः, written here as ज्ञेयस्स).
FAQs
It warns that habitual indulgence coupled with daily wrongdoing, theft, and secretive night activity are signs of a dishonest person, and such behavior should be recognized and avoided.
A vañcaka is identified by repeated sinful conduct—especially theft (steya-śīla) and covert, night-roaming behavior (niśācārī)—indicating intentional deceit rather than an isolated lapse.
In this verse, the focus is ethical discernment rather than cosmology; it reflects the Purana’s encyclopedic style, where moral instruction appears alongside broader creation-era narratives.