Shloka 13
Dharma of the Conduct of the Vānaprastha Āśrama
Forest-Dweller Discipline
भूस्तृणं शष्पकं चैव श्लेष्मातक फलानि च । न फालकृष्टमश्नीयादुत्सृष्टमपि केनचित्
bhūstṛṇaṃ śaṣpakaṃ caiva śleṣmātaka phalāni ca | na phālakṛṣṭamaśnīyādutsṛṣṭamapi kenacit
Janganlah dia memakan rumput tanah, pucuk muda, dan buah śleṣmātaka; dan jangan pula memakan apa-apa yang terangkat dari tanah yang dibajak, sekalipun telah dibuang oleh seseorang.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa Adhyāya 58)
Concept: Vrata-purity is protected by strict dietary restraints and avoidance of food associated with disturbance of earth or social exchange.
Application: Adopt mindful eating: avoid questionable/impure sources, reduce harm in consumption, and keep a simple diet on observance days to stabilize japa and prayer.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest hermitage at the edge of a quiet clearing: a vow-keeper sits beside a small kuśa-mat, refusing scattered wild shoots and fallen fruits near a plough-scarred patch of earth. In the background, the soil bears faint furrows, while the ascetic’s calm gaze turns toward a simple altar, signaling that purity is chosen over convenience.","primary_figures":["vratī (Vaiṣṇava ascetic)","forest hermit (optional)","subtle presence of Viṣṇu as a distant blue aura (optional)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a modest altar, kuśa grass, clay water-pot, and a boundary between untouched woodland and disturbed earth.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","earth umber","smoke gray","indigo blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a disciplined vratī seated in padmāsana beside a small altar, refusing ploughed-up food and wild shoots; gold leaf halo around a faint Viṣṇu aura in the sky, rich vermilion and emerald accents, ornate borders, gem-like highlights on the altar vessels, traditional South Indian iconographic serenity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet Himalayan-forest hermitage with delicate brushwork; the ascetic gestures away from scattered shoots and fruits near faint furrows; cool greens and soft browns, lyrical trees, refined facial features, a subtle blue divine presence in the distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the vratī with large expressive eyes sits near a simple altar, forest foliage stylized; red-yellow-green palette with earthy browns, a restrained Viṣṇu-blue glow above, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotus and tulasi motifs framing a forest vow-scene; central figure a serene vratī near an altar, with symbolic Viṣṇu-blue aura; intricate floral borders, deep indigo background, gold detailing, peacocks perched on branches to suggest sacred vigilance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["forest birds","soft wind in leaves","distant temple bell","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; फालकृष्टमश्नीयात् = फालकृष्टम् + अश्नीयात्; अश्नीयादुत्सृष्टम् = अश्नीयात् + उत्सृष्टम्; उत्सृष्टमपि = उत्सृष्टम् + अपि
FAQs
It teaches dietary restraint as a component of dharma—avoiding certain foods and avoiding items disturbed by ploughing or discarded by others.
It marks food obtained from disturbed ground as unsuitable, reflecting a purity/discipline rule and a caution against eating what is dug up or exposed by agricultural disturbance.
This verse is primarily a dharma-focused conduct rule (ācāra), not a direct bhakti doctrine, though such restraints are often presented as supportive disciplines for spiritual life.