Shloka 99
The Marks of Merit and the Destinies of Beings
Divine vs Demonic Traits
प्लवगः काननप्रीतो नरः शाखामृगो भुवि । सूचको भाषया बुध्या स्वजनेऽन्यजनेषु च
plavagaḥ kānanaprīto naraḥ śākhāmṛgo bhuvi | sūcako bhāṣayā budhyā svajane'nyajaneṣu ca
Monyet bersuka di rimba; di bumi ini manusia bagaikan ‘binatang yang merayau di dahan’. Dengan tutur kata dan akal budi, dia menyingkap dirinya—di hadapan kaum sendiri dan juga orang asing.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to attribute to Pulastya–Bhīṣma or Śiva–Pārvatī).
Concept: A person’s true nature is disclosed by speech (bhāṣā) and understanding (buddhi) among both kin and strangers; self-mastery is the real ‘humanity’.
Application: Use speech as sādhanā: speak less, speak true, avoid sarcasm; test your own buddhi by how you behave with strangers—integrity should not depend on familiarity.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lush forest canopy frames a monkey leaping joyfully among branches, while in the foreground a human stands at a crossroads—one path into the woods, one toward a village—symbolizing choice between instinct and discernment. Around the human, faint calligraphic swirls of spoken words and a glowing lotus-like aura at the brow suggest that speech and intellect reveal the self.","primary_figures":["monkey (plavaga)","a reflective human figure (symbolic)","onlookers: kin and strangers (subtle silhouettes)"],"setting":"forest edge with tall trees, branching canopy, and a visible village road","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["emerald green","sapphire blue","sunlit gold","bark brown","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central reflective human with a subtle gold leaf aura at the forehead (buddhi), a lively monkey on gilded branches above; ornate border, rich reds and greens, gold leaf embellishment on leaves and halo, traditional iconographic symmetry conveying moral allegory.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical forest edge with delicate foliage, a monkey mid-leap, the human shown contemplative with refined facial features; cool greens and blues, soft golden light, subtle silhouettes of villagers and travelers to show ‘own people and strangers’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized forest patterns, expressive eyes on monkey and human; warm yellow-red-green palette, symbolic speech-scroll motifs around the human, temple-wall didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate forest-vine borders with lotus motifs; central human figure with swirling script-like patterns representing speech, monkey on branching tree; deep blue background with gold highlights, peacocks and floral filigree framing the moral scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["forest birds","rustling leaves","soft tanpura drone","distant conch (very faint)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वजनेऽन्यजनेषु = स्वजने + अन्यजनेषु (अ + अ → ’/avagraha).
FAQs
It teaches that a person’s true nature becomes known through their speech and their discernment—whether among friends or strangers.
It uses a metaphor: as a monkey roams branches restlessly, a human can behave impulsively or instinctively; only refined speech and intellect distinguish and reveal character.
One should cultivate truthful, measured speech and clear understanding, since these are what others use to judge one’s integrity in every social setting.