Shloka 23
Praise of Devotion to Viṣṇu
The Supremacy of Hari’s Name over All Tīrthas
ते यांति नरकान्घोरांन्न तांस्तु गणयेद्धीरः । मूर्खं वा पंडितं वापि ब्राह्मणं केशवप्रियम्
te yāṃti narakānghorāṃnna tāṃstu gaṇayeddhīraḥ | mūrkhaṃ vā paṃḍitaṃ vāpi brāhmaṇaṃ keśavapriyam
Mereka akan pergi ke neraka-neraka yang mengerikan; maka orang yang teguh tidak wajar mengira mereka termasuk yang layak. Sama ada bodoh atau alim—jika seorang brāhmaṇa berkasih kepada Keśava, dialah yang patut dihormati.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogues)
Concept: True worth is measured by devotion to Keśava and reverence for Keśava’s dear brāhmaṇa, not by mere learning or social display; the wise should not validate those headed for hellish consequences.
Application: Choose mentors and companions by their devotion and integrity; honor sincere Vaiṣṇavas and avoid endorsing harmful, irreverent behavior even if it appears ‘learned’.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stern sage stands at the threshold of a luminous temple courtyard, holding a palm-leaf manuscript in one hand and a rosary in the other. Behind him, a shadowy chasm symbolizing ‘ghora-naraka’ yawns, while a humble brāhmaṇa devotee of Keśava glows with quiet sanctity, contrasting worldly scholarship with heartfelt bhakti.","primary_figures":["Keśava (as a radiant presence or icon)","a steadfast sage (dhīra)","a brāhmaṇa devotee","figures representing ‘fool’ and ‘scholar’ in worldly attire"],"setting":"Temple courtyard with a distant symbolic vista of hellish darkness beyond a boundary line; a tulasī planter near the sanctum doorway to hint at Vaiṣṇava space.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","lamp-gold","ash gray","sandalwood beige","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Keśava as a central sanctum icon with gold leaf halo, the dhīra sage in the foreground gesturing a boundary of discernment, a humble brāhmaṇa-vaiṣṇava with tulasī-mālā receiving honor; rich reds and greens, ornate pillars, gem-studded ornaments, gold leaf embellishment emphasizing the contrast between divine radiance and the dark naraka backdrop.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet temple courtyard at dusk, delicate brushwork showing two contrasting figures—one proud scholar and one humble devotee—while a sage points toward a shadowed ravine labeled by mood as ‘ghora’; cool palette with lyrical naturalism, refined faces, distant hills framing the moral landscape.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Keśava’s icon radiating in the sanctum, the sage and brāhmaṇa devotee in frontal poses, stylized flames and darkness at the edge symbolizing naraka; natural pigments with dominant red/yellow/green, large expressive eyes, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Keśava (as Śrī Kṛṣṇa/Nārāyaṇa) enthroned amid lotus motifs, a border of tulasī leaves and floral vines; devotees in humble posture, the ‘unworthy’ figures rendered at the periphery in muted tones; deep blues and gold, intricate floral borders, peacocks near the sanctum steps."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","low conch shell","distant thunder","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नरकान्घोरान्न = नरकान् + घोरान् + न; तांस्तु = तान् + तु; गणयेद्धीरः = गणयेत् + धीरः; वापि = वा + अपि.
FAQs
It teaches ethical discernment: certain people are destined for dreadful hells, so a wise person should not regard them as worthy; devotion/being dear to Keśava is highlighted as a decisive spiritual criterion.
Keśava is a name of Viṣṇu (often also used for Kṛṣṇa), indicating the Vaishnava theological frame where devotion to the Lord is spiritually paramount.
The verse suggests that mere labels like “fool” or “scholar” are secondary; what matters is alignment with dharma and devotion—here expressed as being dear to Keśava—when considering someone’s worthiness.