Shloka 46
Karmic Causality, Fate, and the Supremacy of Food-Charity
within Guru-tīrtha Glorification
अर्थस्य पुरुषव्याघ्र परित्यागः सुदुष्करः । विशेषतो महाराज तस्य न्यायार्जितस्य च
arthasya puruṣavyāghra parityāgaḥ suduṣkaraḥ | viśeṣato mahārāja tasya nyāyārjitasya ca
Ó tigre entre os homens, renunciar à riqueza é dificílimo—especialmente, ó grande rei, quando ela foi adquirida por meios justos.
Unspecified (context-dependent; verse addresses a king as 'mahārāja')
Concept: Even righteously earned wealth binds the mind; true dharma tests one’s capacity to relinquish attachment.
Application: Practice intentional giving (a fixed portion of income), simplify possessions, and treat earnings as stewardship—use them for feeding, worship, and supporting dharmic causes.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage addresses a crowned king seated on a low throne, the king’s hand hovering over a chest of coins as if torn between holding and giving. Behind them, a simple altar with a Vishnu emblem suggests that wealth finds its true purpose when offered back to the divine order.","primary_figures":["a rishi-teacher","a mahārāja (king)","attendants holding donation trays"],"setting":"palace audience hall opening to a temple courtyard; donation vessels, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a small Vishnu shrine in the background","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["antique gold","deep maroon","sandalwood beige","emerald green","sapphire blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene rishi instructing a jeweled king about renouncing even righteous wealth; gold leaf halos, rich red-green textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate palace pillars, a small Vishnu shrine with conch and discus motifs, donation trays in the foreground, high-detail facial calm and moral gravity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court scene with delicate brushwork; the king’s conflicted gesture over a coin chest, the sage’s gentle admonition; cool palette with lyrical architecture, fine textiles, and a distant temple courtyard framed by flowering trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and natural pigments; the sage’s composed face and the king’s thoughtful eyes; stylized palace interior with lamp flames, Vishnu symbol panel, rhythmic ornamentation in red/yellow/green with black contouring.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—Vishnu’s lotus emblem above, below a king offering coins into a dāna vessel; intricate floral borders, lotus motifs, peacocks at the edges, deep blues and gold accents, devotional atmosphere emphasizing surrender of wealth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","distant conch shell","quiet court ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुरुषव्याघ्र = पुरुष + व्याघ्र; सुदुष्करः = सु + दुष्करः; न्यायार्जितस्य = न्याय + आर्जितस्य.
FAQs
Because wealth gained through righteous effort carries a strong sense of deservedness and attachment, making detachment psychologically and ethically more challenging than abandoning ill-gotten gains.
No. It acknowledges artha as a legitimate pursuit when acquired by nyāya (justice), while teaching that even rightful possessions can bind the mind unless tempered by detachment.
A king must recognize the subtle attachment that comes with rightly collected revenue and merit-earned riches, and practice restraint, charity, and non-possessiveness in governance.