Shloka 26
Sukalā’s Account: Ikṣvāku and Sudevā; the Boar’s Resolve and the Dharma of Battle
अस्यैव हस्तान्मरणं यदाभवेल्लाभश्च मे सुंदरि कीर्तिरुत्तमा । तस्माद्यशो भूमितले जगत्त्रये व्रजामि लोकं मधुसूदनस्य
asyaiva hastānmaraṇaṃ yadābhavellābhaśca me suṃdari kīrtiruttamā | tasmādyaśo bhūmitale jagattraye vrajāmi lokaṃ madhusūdanasya
अस्यैव हस्तान्मरणं यद्यभवेत्, सुन्दरि, मे लाभः कीर्तिरुत्तमा च। तस्माद् भूमितले जगत्त्रये च यशः स्थापयित्वा मधुसूदनस्य लोकं व्रजामि॥
Unspecified (a male speaker addressing a woman as 'sundari')
Concept: Even when death is imminent, orienting the mind toward Madhusūdana transforms mortality into passage; worldly fame is acknowledged but ultimately framed as secondary to divine refuge.
Application: Live so that reputation follows integrity, but keep the heart anchored in the divine; practice remembrance (smaraṇa) so that crisis moments naturally turn toward the Lord.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The warrior, speaking to the sundarī beside him, stands calm at the edge of battle as if already seeing beyond it—his fame spreading like ripples across the three worlds. Above, a serene vision of Madhusūdana’s abode glows, inviting, while the battlefield noise fades into devotional stillness.","primary_figures":["warrior narrator","beloved woman (sundarī)","Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu) as a celestial vision"],"setting":"battlefield margin transitioning into a symbolic cosmic vista of the three worlds and a radiant Vaikuṇṭha-like realm","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","sapphire blue","soft gold","cloud white","smoky umber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the warrior and sundarī in the foreground with ornate jewelry, above them Madhusūdana enthroned on a lotus with shankha-chakra-gada-padma, heavy gold-leaf radiance, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, stylized clouds and a decorative arch framing the divine realm.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate two-figure conversation at the battlefield’s edge, delicate expressions of resolve and tenderness, a luminous Vaikuṇṭha vision in the sky with fine cloudwork, cool blues and warm pinks, lyrical landscape and refined textile detailing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Vishnu vision above, bold outlines and flat pigments, the couple below in expressive poses, strong red-yellow-green palette with deep blue background, temple-wall symmetry conveying spiritual certainty amid conflict.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional composition with lotus borders and floral filigree, deep blue field with gold highlights, Madhusūdana centered in the upper register, the couple below as narrative devotees, peacocks and lotuses symbolizing auspicious departure to the Lord’s realm."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft conch (distant)","temple bells (faint)","wind over flags","momentary silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hastān = hastāt (ablative) with nasalization before m-; yadābhavet = yadā abhavet; abhavellābhaśca = abhavet lābhaḥ ca; kīrtiruttamā = kīrtiḥ uttamā; tasmādyaśo = tasmāt yaśaḥ; jagattraye = jagat-traye (dvigu).
FAQs
It refers to the traditional triad of realms—earth, atmosphere, and heaven (often expressed as Bhūr, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ)—used to indicate universal renown or influence.
The speaker frames even death as spiritually meaningful because it culminates in reaching the realm of Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu), highlighting devotion-centered liberation as the ultimate goal.
It presents fearlessness and steadfastness: the speaker accepts personal risk while prioritizing honor, duty, and a higher spiritual end—union with or arrival in Viṣṇu’s abode.