Shloka 3
Inquiry into Sacred Fords and the Merit of Earth-Circumambulation
Narada–Yudhishthira; Entry into the Dilipa–Vasistha Episode
सूत उवाच । धन्यं पुण्यं महाख्यानं पृष्टमेव तपोधनाः । यथामति प्रवक्ष्यामि यथायोगं यथाश्रुतम्
sūta uvāca | dhanyaṃ puṇyaṃ mahākhyānaṃ pṛṣṭameva tapodhanāḥ | yathāmati pravakṣyāmi yathāyogaṃ yathāśrutam
Sūta berkata: Wahai para pemilik khazanah tapa, sesungguhnya kamu telah bertanya tentang mahākhyāna yang diberkati dan penuh kebajikan. Aku akan menuturkannya menurut pemahamanku, dengan sepatutnya, dan sebagaimana yang telah aku dengar.
Sūta
Concept: Sacred knowledge is responsibly transmitted: speak appropriately, within one’s capacity, faithful to what is heard in paramparā.
Application: When sharing spiritual teachings, avoid exaggeration; cite sources, speak with care, and tailor guidance to context (‘yathāyogam’).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sūta sits with a palm-leaf manuscript on a low wooden stand, addressing a ring of ascetics whose matted hair and calm eyes signal deep tapas. His right hand gestures in measured cadence, conveying both confidence and humility as the story-garland is about to begin.","primary_figures":["Sūta","Tapodhanāḥ (ascetic sages)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a simple recitation pavilion, sacrificial fire nearby, manuscript stand, water pot, and deer moving quietly at the edge.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoldering ember orange","bark brown","ash white","deep forest green","manuscript gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sūta with a radiant halo seated on a decorated platform, sages in symmetrical rows, gold leaf highlights on the manuscript and fire altar, rich maroon backdrop, ornate borders with floral motifs and small conch/lotus emblems.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate storytelling circle, fine facial expressions, soft shading on garments, a small homa fire with delicate smoke curls, cool greens and browns, distant hills and a quiet stream.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized fire altar, Sūta in warm ochres, sages in pale tones, patterned foliage bands, strong compositional symmetry and iconic gestures.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central storyteller with manuscript, surrounding sages as repeating motifs, ornate border of lotuses and sacred symbols, deep blue ground with gold and white detailing, peacocks perched near the corners."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacred fire","soft bell punctuations","rustling leaves","occasional deer call","measured pauses"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूत उवाच → सूतः उवाच (visarga sandhi in Devanagari often omitted in padaccheda); पृष्टम्+एव → पृष्टमेव; यथा+मति → यथामति; यथा+योगम् → यथायोगम्; यथा+श्रुतम् → यथाश्रुतम्.
FAQs
The speaker is Sūta, the traditional Purāṇic narrator, addressing ascetics described as tapodhanāḥ (“those whose wealth is austerity”).
It signals narration grounded in proper context (yathāyogam) and faithful transmission from received tradition (yathāśrutam), emphasizing paramparā-based authenticity rather than personal invention.
Humility and responsibility: Sūta presents the account as sacred and beneficial, while acknowledging he will speak within his understanding and in line with what he has heard.