Shloka 24
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
आयुष्मान्भव सौम्येति वचो विप्रोऽभिवादने । आकारश्चास्य नाम्नोंऽते वाच्यः पूर्वाक्षरप्लुतः
āyuṣmānbhava saumyeti vaco vipro'bhivādane | ākāraścāsya nāmnoṃ'te vācyaḥ pūrvākṣaraplutaḥ
Apabila seorang brāhmaṇa membalas salam, hendaklah ia berkata, “Āyuṣmān bhava, wahai saumnya,” yakni “semoga engkau panjang umur.” Dan pada akhir nama orang itu hendaklah disebut bunyi “ā”, dengan suku kata sebelumnya dipanjangkan.
Not explicitly identified in the provided excerpt (instructional/normative voice within the chapter).
Concept: Blessing speech (‘āyuṣmān bhava’) and correct phonetic form in greetings are dharmic acts that transmit auspiciousness and uphold varṇāśrama decorum.
Application: Use blessings rather than flattery; speak names respectfully; cultivate careful pronunciation and mindful speech in daily interactions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet courtyard, a brāhmaṇa elder returns a student’s salutation with a calm blessing—‘āyuṣmān bhava’—his hand raised in benediction. The student listens attentively as the elder demonstrates the precise elongation of syllables, turning etiquette into sacred phonetic art.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa elder","student/householder offering salutation"],"setting":"village temple courtyard or āśrama veranda with carved pillars, palm-leaf texts, water vessel","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","sandalwood beige","deep maroon","copper brown","peacock blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: brāhmaṇa elder seated on a low seat, right hand in blessing mudrā, student kneeling; gold leaf accents on the elder’s halo and pillar carvings, rich maroon-green drapery, ornate border with script-like motifs suggesting phonetic precision.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate veranda scene with delicate gestures; the elder’s lips mid-utterance, the student attentive; soft amber lamp glow, fine textile patterns, gentle architectural lines and a small tulasi pot in the background as auspicious decor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figures with bold outlines; the blessing gesture emphasized, decorative pillar bands; saturated reds and yellows with green highlights, conveying ritual speech as sacred action.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central vignette of blessing and greeting framed by floral borders; stylized lotuses and parrots; deep blue ground with gold script-like ornamentation, evoking the sanctity of sound."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft bell","murmur of students reciting","rustle of palm leaves","distant conch at dusk"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आयुष्मान्भव = आयुष्मान् + भव; सौम्येति = सौम्य + इति; विप्रोऽभिवादने = विप्रः + अभिवादने; आकारश्च = आकारः + च; नाम्नोंऽते = नाम्नः + अन्ते.
FAQs
It prescribes the proper verbal response when returning a respectful salutation (abhivādana), including the blessing “āyuṣmān bhava” and a phonetic rule about ending the addressee’s name with an “ā” sound.
It indicates that the syllable immediately before the final added “ā” should be lengthened/prolonged, emphasizing respectful and correct pronunciation during the greeting.
It emphasizes sadācāra (refined conduct): respect expressed through standardized blessings and careful, correct speech, treating etiquette and pronunciation as part of dharma.