Shloka 55
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
नाश्नंतीं स्त्रियमीक्षेत तेजःकामो नरोत्तमः । मुखेनोपधमेन्नाग्निं नग्नां नेक्षेत योषितम्
nāśnaṃtīṃ striyamīkṣeta tejaḥkāmo narottamaḥ | mukhenopadhamennāgniṃ nagnāṃ nekṣeta yoṣitam
O homem excelente que busca o tejas (esplendor espiritual) não deve olhar para uma mulher enquanto ela come. Nem deve soprar o fogo com a boca, nem olhar para uma mulher nua.
Unspecified (instructional/normative verse; speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नाश्नंतीं = न + अश्नन्तीम्; स्त्रियमीक्षेत = स्त्रियम् + ईक्षेत; मुखेनोपधमेन् = मुखेन + उपधमेत्; उपधमेन्नाग्निम् = उपधमेत् + न + अग्निम्; नग्नां नेक्षेत = नग्नाम् + न + ईक्षेत
FAQs
It prescribes restraint and etiquette for one seeking tejas (spiritual vitality): avoid improper gazing, maintain modesty norms, and follow disciplined conduct in ordinary actions.
It reflects a traditional purity/etiquette rule: the mouth (associated with breath and saliva) should not be used to fan sacred or domestic fire, encouraging cleanliness and reverence in ritualized daily life.
It frames spirituality as supported by niyama (disciplined observance). Tejas is presented as something protected by careful conduct, not only by formal worship.