Shloka 10
The Sukalā Account in the Vena Episode: Krikala, Pilgrimage, and the Primacy of Wifely-Dharma
तामेवापि परित्यज्य धर्मकार्यं प्रयाति यः । वृथा तस्य कृतः सर्वो धर्मो भवति नान्यथा
tāmevāpi parityajya dharmakāryaṃ prayāti yaḥ | vṛthā tasya kṛtaḥ sarvo dharmo bhavati nānyathā
तामेवापि स्वधर्मरूपां कर्तव्यतां परित्यज्य योऽन्यं धर्मकार्यं गन्तुमिच्छति, तस्य सर्वः कृतो धर्मो वृथैव भवति; नान्यथा।
Unspecified (context-dependent within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa narration)
Concept: Dharma becomes fruitless when one abandons one’s immediate rightful obligation (svadharma/niyata-karman) to pursue a merely performative or misdirected ‘religious’ act.
Application: Prioritize responsibilities you have legitimately accepted (family care, honesty in livelihood, promises) before taking on public piety; examine motives—avoid using ‘religion’ to escape accountability.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder stands at a crossroads: one path leads back to his home where elders and dependents wait, the other toward a distant shrine where a loud procession advertises ‘piety’. Above, a subtle Vishnu-disc of light hovers, illuminating the humble doorway rather than the ostentatious route, suggesting that true dharma begins with rightful duty.","primary_figures":["Gṛhastha (householder)","Elder/parent figure","A symbolic Vishnu radiance (no full anthropomorphic form)"],"setting":"Village threshold with a tulasi-vṛndāvana near the doorway, a distant temple silhouette and pilgrimage road in the background","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["earthy ochre","lamp-flame gold","indigo shadow","tulasi green","lotus pink accent"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a gṛhastha at a bifurcated path, home-threshold with tulasi-vṛndāvana and oil lamp in the foreground, distant temple gopuram and procession in the background; a subtle Vishnu-chakra halo of gold leaf above the doorway indicating true dharma; rich reds and greens, heavy gold leaf embellishment, gem-studded ornaments on the lamp stand, traditional South Indian iconographic borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical village landscape with a gentle hillside, a man pausing at a forked path, his gaze returning to the home courtyard where elders sit; delicate brushwork, cool morning mist, refined faces, small tulasi planter by the door, distant shrine rendered softly; emphasis on moral choice through composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigments; the threshold scene with tulasi-vṛndāvana, lamp-lit doorway, and a radiant circular chakra motif above; stylized figures with characteristic eyes, red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall aesthetic conveying dharma as order.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic courtyard with lotus motifs and ornate floral borders; central doorway sanctified by a golden aura, tulasi plant prominent; distant pilgrimage road with miniature figures; deep blues and gold, intricate patterns suggesting inner devotion over display."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells (distant)","soft household sounds","conch shell (faint)","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तामेवापि = ताम् + एव + अपि; धर्मकार्यं (समास) = धर्म + कार्यम्; नान्यथा = न + अन्यथा.
FAQs
It teaches that neglecting one’s immediate rightful obligation (svadharma) while chasing a different “religious” act renders the latter spiritually fruitless.
No. It warns against performing such acts at the cost of abandoning a prior, binding duty; dharma must be practiced in proper order and responsibility.
It underscores that duties such as care, responsibility, and moral commitments should not be discarded for outward religiosity; otherwise merit is said to become ‘in vain’ (vṛthā).