Shloka 179
Pitṛmātṛtīrtha Greatness & the Discourse on Embodiment: Karma, Birth, Impurity, and Dispassion
एवं वस्त्रयुगं राज्ञां प्रस्थमात्रांबुभोजनम् । यानं शय्यासनं चैव शेषं दुःखाय केवलम्
evaṃ vastrayugaṃ rājñāṃ prasthamātrāṃbubhojanam | yānaṃ śayyāsanaṃ caiva śeṣaṃ duḥkhāya kevalam
एवं नृपाणां वस्त्रयुगमेव, प्रस्थपरिमितमम्बुभोजनं च; यानं शय्यासनं चैव—एतदधिकं सर्वं केवलं दुःखहेतुः।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa 66).
Concept: Minimal needs suffice; excess possessions become suffering—true welfare lies in restraint and inner freedom.
Application: Practice voluntary simplicity: limit acquisitions, audit comforts, redirect surplus to dāna and temple/service; keep diet measured and mindful.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king removes heavy jeweled ornaments and sets aside a gilded chariot, choosing instead a simple pair of garments and a modest meal measured in a small vessel. Behind him, luxurious beds and thrones loom like shadows, subtly transforming into chains to show how excess becomes suffering.","primary_figures":["a reflective king","a minister or sage advisor","attendants carrying luxury items"],"setting":"palace chamber opening to a quiet courtyard with a small Vishnu shrine in the background","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["linen white","muted ochre","royal blue","burnished gold","charcoal gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central king in calm renunciation pose, gold leaf on discarded ornaments and chariot details; a small Vishnu shrine with conch and chakra motifs; rich maroon backdrop, ornate arch, gem-studded items placed aside to emphasize contrast with simple cloth and measured food vessel.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate palace-courtyard scene; delicate rendering of a small measuring pot (prastha) and simple garments; cool morning light, refined facial expressions; luxury objects painted with restraint, appearing heavy and oppressive in composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic king figure with bold outlines; luxury items stylized as weighty forms; a small shrine lamp glowing; red/yellow/green palette with strong contrast between simple white cloth and ornate gold elements.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical composition with lotus borders; the king near a small Krishna/Vishnu icon; discarded luxuries arranged like a mandala of temptation; deep blue ground with gold highlights, floral motifs suggesting purity through simplicity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft dawn birds","single temple bell","gentle silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रस्थमात्रांबुभोजनम् = प्रस्थमात्र + अम्बु + भोजनम्; चैव = च + एव
FAQs
It frames basic necessities (simple clothing and measured food) as sufficient, warning that additional luxuries—like vehicles, elaborate beds, and seats—often increase anxiety and suffering rather than happiness.
Kings symbolize maximum access to luxury and power; the verse cautions that even for rulers, restraint and simplicity are wiser than indulgence, because excess tends to produce worry, attachment, and distress.
Contentment (saṃtoṣa) and moderation reduce suffering; craving for surplus comforts fuels attachment and leads to duḥkha, so one should limit wants and focus on dharma rather than accumulation.