Shloka 68
The Meeting with Puṣkala’s Wife
परोपतापिनो ये वै ये चोत्पथविसारिणः । ते हंतव्या नृपैः सर्वैः सर्वलोकहितैषिभिः
paropatāpino ye vai ye cotpathavisāriṇaḥ | te haṃtavyā nṛpaiḥ sarvaiḥ sarvalokahitaiṣibhiḥ
Aqueles que afligem os outros e os que conduzem (as pessoas) por caminhos desviados devem ser abatidos por todos os reis que buscam o bem de todos os mundos.
Pulastya (to Bhīṣma)
Concept: Kings devoted to universal welfare must restrain and, if necessary, eliminate oppressors and corrupters who mislead society.
Application: Do not enable harm: in leadership roles, set firm boundaries against abuse and misinformation; protect the vulnerable and uphold ethical norms.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage instructs a crowned king beside a dharma-śāstra manuscript, pointing toward a distant scene where bandits harass travelers and a false teacher misleads villagers. The king’s face hardens into resolve, his hand resting on the sword-hilt as guardians assemble to protect the realm.","primary_figures":["Pulastya","Bhīṣma","ideal king","oppressors (paropātāpinaḥ)","misleaders (utpatha-visāriṇaḥ)"],"setting":"forest hermitage edge opening into a royal road and village—two worlds of counsel and consequence","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ochre","leaf green","royal blue","copper","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Pulastya seated on a lotus-like āsana under a stylized tree, instructing a jeweled king with sword and crown; gold leaf highlights on crowns, scripture folios, and halos; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, symbolic depiction of protected villagers and subdued wrongdoers in side panels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a serene hermitage scene with Pulastya teaching Bhīṣma/king; delicate lines, soft gradients, Himalayan-like hills in distance; a narrative vignette shows travelers protected and wrongdoers restrained, emphasizing moral clarity with lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Pulastya with pronounced eyes and bold outlines gestures toward dharma; king stands in respectful posture, sword vertical; background bands show oppressors and misleaders being checked; natural pigment palette with dominant reds, yellows, greens.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: dharma-protection tableau framed by lotus and floral borders; central figures Pulastya and the king, with symmetrical attendants; deep blue ground with gold detailing, peacocks and cows in border symbolizing welfare of all beings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","staff tap on ground","distant village sounds","temple bell (soft)","firm drum accent on 'hantavyā'"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चोत्पथविसारिणः = च + उत्पथविसारिणः; हंतव्या = हन्तव्याः (अनुस्वार/नासिक्य-लोप/लेखनभेद).
FAQs
It teaches that a king devoted to public welfare must restrain or eliminate those who harm others or mislead society onto unethical paths.
People who cause others to deviate onto “utpatha” (wrong or destructive paths)—i.e., corrupters, misguiders, or promoters of adharma.
Protection of society includes firm action against violent oppressors and deliberate moral corrupters, undertaken for the common good rather than personal gain.