Shloka 81
The Deeds of Sukalā (Vena Episode): Husband as Tīrtha & Pativratā-Dharma
वदंति भूतले लोकाः पुंश्चलीयं न संशयः । तस्माद्भर्तुर्वियुक्ता या नार्याः शृणुत भूतले
vadaṃti bhūtale lokāḥ puṃścalīyaṃ na saṃśayaḥ | tasmādbharturviyuktā yā nāryāḥ śṛṇuta bhūtale
Люди на земле говорят — без сомнения — что она распутна. Потому выслушайте о тех женщинах на земле, которые разлучены со своими мужьями.
Unspecified narrator/speaker (context needed from surrounding verses to identify the dialogue pair)
Concept: Worldly reputation can stigmatize a woman separated from her husband; the text pivots to define dharma and conduct to counter social suspicion.
Application: Avoid rash judgments based on rumor; seek context and dharmic guidance before labeling others; protect the vulnerable from slander.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village crossroads on the earthly plane where whispering townsfolk gather in a half-circle, their faces shadowed by suspicion. In the foreground, a solitary woman stands with lowered gaze, holding a simple water pot, while an unseen narrator’s presence is suggested by a calm, luminous aura behind her, signaling a turn from gossip to dharmic instruction.","primary_figures":["a separated woman (anonymous)","whispering townsfolk","narrator-sage presence (implied)"],"setting":"earthly settlement edge, dusty path, small shrine stone in the background to hint at dharma amid worldly talk","lighting_mood":"late-afternoon chiaroscuro","color_palette":["dusty ochre","smoke gray","indigo shadow","muted maroon","pale ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a moral tableau at a village crossroads—central solitary woman with a modest sari and water pot, surrounding gossiping figures in profile; a small Vishnu shrine stone in the back with subtle gold-leaf halo suggesting dharma’s presence; rich reds and greens, gold leaf highlights on ornaments and shrine, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate brushwork showing a quiet rural path with clustered whispering women/men at left, the separated woman at right under a sparse tree; cool subdued palette, refined faces, lyrical negative space, distant hills and a tiny shrine marker to suggest moral refuge.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, expressive eyes—crowd of murmuring figures forming a semicircle, central woman calm yet sorrowful; earthy reds/yellows/greens with a small lamp-lit shrine motif; temple-wall aesthetic emphasizing ethical contrast.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—lotus border framing a worldly scene; in the upper register a small Vishnu emblem (shankha-chakra) indicating dharma’s oversight; intricate floral borders, deep blues and gold, stylized figures and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low murmurs (suggested)","temple bell (distant)","dry wind","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माद्भर्तुः = तस्मात् + भर्तुः (त् + भ → द्भ).
FAQs
It introduces a discussion about how society labels women as unchaste and then turns to explain the category of women who are separated from their husbands—implying a nuanced treatment rather than a blanket accusation.
No. The verse reports a common social claim and then signals an explanation (“hear about those women…”)—suggesting the next verses provide distinctions, causes, or ethical framing.
It cautions that public reputation and moral judgment can be simplistic; the text prepares to examine circumstances (viyoga/separation) before concluding character.