Shloka 98
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
तेषां नामापि भद्रे त्वं मत्तो निगदितं शृणु । पिंगली शृंखली नाम द्वौ कृमी कर्णमूलयोः
teṣāṃ nāmāpi bhadre tvaṃ matto nigaditaṃ śṛṇu | piṃgalī śṛṃkhalī nāma dvau kṛmī karṇamūlayoḥ
तेषां नामापि भद्रे त्वं मत्तो निगदितं शृणु। पिङ्गली शृङ्खली नाम द्वौ कृमी कर्णमूलयोः॥
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator addressing a woman, ‘bhadre’)
Concept: Even what seems ‘auspicious’ outwardly is accompanied by hidden impurities; true auspiciousness is inner purity and Godward orientation.
Application: Cultivate modesty and compassion; avoid judging by appearances; adopt purifying habits (satya, ahiṃsā, japa, vrata) as the real ‘maṅgala’.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm instructor addresses an attentive woman labeled ‘bhadrā’ in a hermitage courtyard, pointing to a diagram-like scroll that maps the ear-roots with two stylized worm-forms named Piṅgalī and Śṛṅkhalī. The mood is paradoxically gentle—teaching about impurity as a doorway to inner auspiciousness.","primary_figures":["a teacher (ṛṣi or narrator)","a woman listener (bhadrā)","symbolic worm-forms Piṅgalī and Śṛṅkhalī"],"setting":"hermitage courtyard with a low teaching platform, scroll/diagram, water pot, and a small tulasi pot in the background as a contrast motif (not textual but thematic)","lighting_mood":"golden late afternoon, instructional calm","color_palette":["warm ochre","vermillion","indigo ink","pale ivory","olive green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: teacher and bhadrā seated facing each other, a scroll showing ear-roots with two ornamental worm motifs labeled in Devanāgarī-like script; gold-leaf borders, rich reds and greens, serene faces, traditional jewelry, subtle Viṣṇu emblem in the background medallion.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate teaching scene with delicate scroll illustration, soft hillside garden backdrop, refined expressions; cool shadows, precise linework for the labeled motifs, understated didactic elegance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures, scroll with stylized ear diagram, worm motifs as decorative curls; earthy reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall instructional tableau.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central teaching vignette framed by lotus and vine borders; the scroll becomes a decorative panel with two named motifs; deep blue ground with gold highlights, floral intricacy, devotional calm."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["courtyard birds","soft bell at verse end","tanpura drone","gentle breeze"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नामापि = नाम + अपि (स्वर-सन्धि).
FAQs
They are two named ‘kṛmi’ (worms) said to be located at the roots of the ears, introduced here as part of a descriptive listing.
It functions as a naming verse—formally identifying specific entities (here, two ‘kṛmi’) within a broader explanatory or cataloguing passage.
‘Bhadre’ is a respectful vocative meaning “O auspicious one,” commonly used in Purāṇic dialogue to address a female interlocutor and signal a didactic, conversational setting.