Shloka 16
The Yayāti Episode
with the Glory of Mātā–Pitṛ Tīrtha
प्रथमे वयसि भोक्तव्यं विषयं मानवैर्नृप । इदानीं तन्न कालोयं वर्तते तव सांप्रतम्
prathame vayasi bhoktavyaṃ viṣayaṃ mānavairnṛpa | idānīṃ tanna kāloyaṃ vartate tava sāṃpratam
नृप, प्रथमे वयसि मानवैर्विषयभोगः कर्तव्यः। इदानीं तु तव सांप्रतमयं कालो न वर्तते।
Unspecified (a counselor/sage addressing a king)
Concept: Sense-enjoyment belongs to earlier life stages; later life demands restraint and a shift toward duty and spiritual priorities.
Application: Adopt age-appropriate discipline: simplify pleasures, increase japa/puja/charity, mentor younger people, and prepare for spiritual focus.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A counselor points toward a symbolic wheel of time painted on a palace wall—childhood, youth, maturity, and old age—while the king sits thoughtful, his crown slightly lowered. Outside the hall, autumn leaves fall, mirroring the teaching that seasons change and so must one’s pursuits. The atmosphere is sober yet compassionate, urging timely restraint.","primary_figures":["elder counselor/sage","king (nṛpa)"],"setting":"palace hall with a mural of the kāla-cakra, open veranda showing seasonal trees, a small shrine lamp in the corner","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["autumn amber","stone gray","deep teal","muted gold","cream"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: counselor instructing a king before a kāla-cakra mural; gold leaf highlights on the time-wheel and architectural arches, rich jewel tones, ornate borders, lamp-lit shrine corner with conch and lotus motifs, traditional South Indian stylization and symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical palace veranda with autumn trees; counselor’s gentle gesture, king contemplative; cool teal shadows with warm amber leaves, delicate brushwork, refined faces, subtle narrative symbolism of time and seasons.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized kāla-cakra behind the figures, king seated in humility; dominant reds/yellows/greens with muted gold accents, temple-wall aesthetic, iconic lamp and kalasha motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central dialogue framed by lotus and seasonal vine borders; a decorative time-wheel motif above; deep indigo ground with gold filigree, peacocks and floral patterns, conch/lotus symbols suggesting dharmic order."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft wind","distant bell","tanpura drone","falling leaves hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मानवैर्नृप = मानवैः + नृप; तन्न = तत् + न; कालोयं = कालः + अयम् (विसर्ग-लोप);
FAQs
It reflects the āśrama-style ethic: enjoyment of sense objects (kāma) is appropriate primarily in early life, while later life calls for restraint, duty, and often renunciation.
By saying “O king,” it frames the counsel as royal ethics: a ruler must know when personal pleasure is inappropriate and when governance, duty, and self-control should take priority.
Discernment of the right time (kāla) for actions—especially regarding pleasure—so that one’s conduct aligns with dharma and one’s current stage of life.