Shloka 20
Narrative of the Śūdra’s Renunciation of Greed
with the Tulādhāra Greatness Prelude
सर्वं राष्ट्रं समाधाय पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभा । तथायं सर्वदा साक्षी मृषा नास्ति कदाचन
sarvaṃ rāṣṭraṃ samādhāya punarāvṛttidurlabhā | tathāyaṃ sarvadā sākṣī mṛṣā nāsti kadācana
सर्वं राष्ट्रं समाधाय पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभा। तथायं सर्वदा साक्षी मृषा नास्ति कदाचन॥
Unspecified (context needed to identify the dialogue speaker reliably)
Concept: Life’s moral opportunity is rare; therefore one must align speech and action with truth because an ever-present witness principle cannot be deceived.
Application: Treat every decision—especially public duty and governance—as occurring before an inner/Divine witness; avoid rationalizing small lies as ‘harmless’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal sabhā is shown after order has been restored: ministers seated in calm symmetry, a central balance-scale motif hovering like a subtle divine emblem. Behind the throne, an unseen presence is suggested by a luminous lotus-eye aura, implying the ever-witnessing Antaryāmin before whom falsehood cannot stand.","primary_figures":["a righteous king","court elders (sabhāsad)","symbolic Antaryāmin presence (unseen Vishnu-witness aura)"],"setting":"pillared assembly hall with carved lotus capitals, judicial dais, scrolls and seals of governance, a prominent set of scales","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["antique gold","deep maroon","sandalwood beige","smoky indigo","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene royal court in symmetrical composition, the king seated on a lotus-backed throne, a large golden balance-scale (tulā) in the foreground, and behind the throne a subtle Vishnu-like radiant aura with lotus-eye motifs indicating the Antaryāmin witness; heavy gold leaf on pillars and ornaments, rich reds and greens, gem-studded jewelry, crisp South Indian iconographic detailing, embossed halos and architectural borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet sabhā scene with refined faces and delicate linework, the king and elders in soft textiles, a symbolic glowing lotus aura behind them suggesting the unseen witness; cool palette with indigo shadows, pale gold highlights, patterned carpets, and a gentle architectural backdrop with arched windows opening to a distant river plain.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and temple-wall aesthetic, a dignified king and assembly, a prominent tulā (scales) motif, and a stylized radiant presence behind the scene with lotus and conch patterns; natural pigments with dominant red, yellow, green, and black, large expressive eyes, ornamental borders like a sanctum mural.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional allegory where the sabhā becomes a lotus pavilion, the ‘witness’ suggested by a central lotus medallion with Vishnu symbols (shankha-chakra) above a golden scale; intricate floral borders, lotus vines, peacocks at the corners, deep blues and gold, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","measured silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tathāyaṃ → tathā + ayam; nāsti → na + asti; punarāvṛttidurlabhā treated as tatpuruṣa compound (punar-āvṛtti + durlabhā).
FAQs
It emphasizes satya (truth) and accountability: there is an ever-present “witness,” and falsehood cannot ultimately stand before that witness.
The verse can be understood as urging a ruler to set the realm in order and act with integrity, remembering that actions are always “witnessed” and that opportunities to correct course may be rare.
Without surrounding verses, it cannot be pinned to a single referent; in Purāṇic and Dharma contexts it often points to conscience, dharma, or the divine inner witness (antar-yāmin/Īśvara) who knows the truth of actions.