Shloka 17
Dharma of the Conduct of the Vānaprastha Āśrama
Forest-Dweller Discipline
यस्तु पत्न्या वनं गत्वा मैथुनं कामतश्चरेत् । तद्व्रतं तस्य लुप्येत प्रायश्चित्तीयते द्विजः
yastu patnyā vanaṃ gatvā maithunaṃ kāmataścaret | tadvrataṃ tasya lupyeta prāyaścittīyate dvijaḥ
Namun jika seorang lelaki pergi ke hutan bersama isterinya lalu melakukan persetubuhan kerana nafsu, maka vrataninya terbatal; kemudian si dvija wajib melakukan prāyaścitta (penebusan dosa).
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/instructor in Svarga-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Sexual indulgence motivated by desire nullifies the vow; expiation is required to restore ritual and moral order.
Application: Treat commitments (spiritual or ethical) as living vows: avoid rationalizing lapses; if broken, acknowledge, make amends, and re-establish discipline with humility.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a secluded forest glade, a couple stands at the edge of a vow-circle marked with kuśa grass; the air feels heavy as a broken vow is symbolized by a snapped sacred thread motif in the composition. Nearby, a repentant twice-born man kneels before a small altar, preparing expiation with water-pot and fire, while the forest watches in solemn stillness.","primary_figures":["dvija vratī (repentant)","wife (as companion)","symbolic Dharma/Agni presence (optional)"],"setting":"Forest clearing with kuśa boundary, small fire altar, expiation implements (kamaṇḍalu, ladle), and subdued natural surroundings.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["charcoal gray","ember red","pale silver","deep green","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic vow-break and expiation tableau—repentant dvija kneeling by a gold-leaf fire altar, kuśa circle and ritual vessels richly ornamented; the couple placed to one side with restrained expressions; ornate border, deep reds and greens, symbolic snapped-thread motif rendered decoratively.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate forest scene with delicate lines; the dvija performs prāyaścitta by a small fire, moonlight filtering through trees; subdued palette, refined faces conveying remorse and resolve; symbolic elements (broken vow-circle) subtly integrated.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, expressive eyes showing repentance; stylized forest and altar; strong red-yellow-green pigments with dark background; Agni rendered as a compact radiant form, emphasizing ritual consequence.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: moral allegory composition—central expiation fire with ornate floral border; deep blue night field, gold highlights; symbolic broken garland/thread motif; peacocks and lotuses as witnesses, devotional framing despite the warning tone."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","low wind","single bell strike","silence after admonition"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यस्तु = यः + तु; पत्न्या (पत्नी + आ); कामतश्चरेत् = कामतः + चरेत्; तद्व्रतम् = तत् + व्रतम्
FAQs
It states that if one breaks a religious observance by engaging in intercourse out of desire during the intended restraint, the vow becomes void and expiation is required.
The forest here signals a setting associated with austerity and vow-observance; even with one’s lawful spouse, indulgence “out of desire” is treated as a breach of the intended discipline.
Dharma is upheld not merely by external acts but by inner restraint and intention; desire-driven indulgence undermines the sanctity of a vowed practice and calls for corrective atonement.