Shloka 91
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
दासीं हृत्वा तु लिंगस्य नरकान्न निवर्तते । कामार्तो मातरं गच्छेन्न गच्छेच्छिवचेटिकाम्
dāsīṃ hṛtvā tu liṃgasya narakānna nivartate | kāmārto mātaraṃ gacchenna gacchecchivaceṭikām
लिङ्गस्य दासीं हृत्वा तु नरकान्न निवर्तते। कामार्तोऽपि स्वभार्यां गच्छेत्, न गच्छेच्छिवचेटिकाम्।
Not explicitly specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 59 framing dialogue).
Concept: Abducting a temple servant is a grave sin; sexual desire must be governed by dharma—seek lawful marital relation, not exploitation of protected attendants.
Application: Practice consent and ethical boundaries; protect temple workers; cultivate self-restraint; channel kāma within dharmic commitments and non-harm.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the edge of a temple compound, a frightened female attendant stands near the sanctum doorway while a transgressor reaches toward her; a protective aura emanates from the liṅga, and stern guardians block the path. The second register shows a calm domestic scene: a man turning away from temptation, approaching his wife with respectful composure—desire redirected into dharma.","primary_figures":["Śiva-liṅga (as sanctum presence)","female temple attendant (sevikā)","transgressor","temple guardians","wife (as lawful partner)"],"setting":"Temple gateway and sanctum threshold; juxtaposed with a modest household interior","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep vermilion","stone gray","brass gold","night blue","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: temple threshold with ornate pillars, gold-leaf lamps, central liṅga radiating protective halo; sevikā in traditional attire, guardians intervening; upper corner vignette shows a serene household where the man approaches his wife respectfully; rich reds/greens, gem-like ornamentation, moral narrative clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical temple courtyard with delicate architecture; expressive but restrained drama—guardians’ gentle force, sevikā’s protected stance; soft interior scene of marital propriety in the background, cool palette with warm lamp highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized eyes; temple panel with liṅga as central icon, guardians in dynamic poses, sevikā protected; secondary panel shows dharmic household scene; red/yellow/green pigments with strong narrative readability.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of lotuses and bells; central temple doorway with symbolic protective aura around the liṅga; figures arranged in rhythmic symmetry; lower band shows a domestic scene of restraint and dharmic union, deep blues and gold with intricate floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","guardian staff tap","distant conch","soft murmured mantra","stillness"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नरकान्न = नरकान् + न; गच्छेन्न = गच्छेत् + न; गच्छेच्छिवचेटिकाम् = गच्छेत् + शिवचेटिकाम्.
FAQs
It condemns abducting or exploiting women connected with temple service (here, a servant of the Liṅga/Śiva) and frames it as a grave sin with severe karmic consequences; it also urges sexual restraint and lawful conduct.
A śiva-ceṭikā is a female attendant/servant associated with Śiva’s worship or temple service; the verse treats violating such a person as an especially serious offense.
Do not harm or coerce those under religious/temple protection, and do not let desire override dharma; seek lawful, ethical relationships rather than exploiting vulnerable or protected persons.