Shloka 49
Karmas Leading to Hell and Heaven
Ethical Catalog of Destinies
ये पूताः परदारांश्च कर्मणा मनसा गिरा । रमयंति न सत्वस्थास्ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः
ye pūtāḥ paradārāṃśca karmaṇā manasā girā | ramayaṃti na satvasthāste narāḥ svargagāminaḥ
ये नराः पूताः सत्त्वस्थाः, कर्मणा मनसा गिरा च परदारान् न रमयन्ति; ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः।
Unspecified (narratorial/didactic statement within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue context)
Concept: Purity and self-control include strict avoidance of parastrī-gamana—by body, mind, and speech—leading to svarga.
Application: Guard the three doors—kāya, vāk, manas: avoid flirtation, fantasizing, and compromising situations; cultivate respectful boundaries and devotional redirection of desire.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A self-controlled man turns his gaze downward in humility as a tempting, illusory figure fades like mist; his speech is symbolized by a closed lotus-bud at the lips, and his mind by a calm lake reflecting a Viṣṇu symbol. In the background, a household scene shows mutual respect and protected dignity, while a faint svarga light crowns the restrained posture.","primary_figures":["self-controlled devotee","illusory temptation figure (as māyā-like silhouette)","Vishnu symbol or small shrine icon"],"setting":"Quiet street near a temple wall, with a household doorway and a small shrine niche visible.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["indigo","pale gold","stone gray","lotus white","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central figure in composed restraint before a small Viṣṇu shrine; gold leaf halo emphasizing purity, ornate borders; temptation shown as a translucent figure dissolving into the gilded background; rich reds/greens, traditional jewelry on the deity icon, lotus motifs around the mouth and heart to signify vāk/manas control.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined moral tableau with delicate expressions; the devotee averts eyes respectfully, a faint temple wall and courtyard behind; cool palette with soft gold highlights, the temptation rendered as a pale wash fading into the landscape, a calm lake-like mind motif reflecting a Viṣṇu emblem.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; the devotee in a dignified stance with controlled gaze, a stylized māyā-figure retreating; warm red-yellow-green pigments, lotus medallions indicating tri-karaṇa-śuddhi, Viṣṇu icon in a niche with characteristic mural eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central devotee with lotus motifs, a small Viṣṇu shrine, intricate floral borders; temptation depicted as a faint patterned silhouette dissolving into deep blue cloth; gold highlights and peacocks at corners to suggest vigilance and grace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","distant conch shell","soft footsteps","evening hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परदारांश्च = परदारान् + च; सत्वस्थास्ते = सत्त्वस्थाः + ते
FAQs
It teaches restraint and moral purity: one should not engage with another man’s wife through action, thought, or speech, and such self-controlled purity is praised as a path to heavenly merit.
It presents a threefold standard of conduct—kāya (deed), manas (thought), and vāc (speech)—indicating that dharma requires inner and outer integrity, not merely outward avoidance.
Here “sattvastha” means established in virtue and self-control—steady in a pure disposition that prevents harmful or improper desire from being acted upon, spoken, or even entertained mentally.