Shloka 14
The Legend of Hemakuṇḍala: Charity, Decline of the Sons, and Yama’s Judgment
तस्येत्थं वर्त्तमानस्य संजातौ द्वौ सुतौ नृप । तौ सुप्रसिद्ध नामानौ श्रीकुंडल विकुंडलौ
tasyetthaṃ varttamānasya saṃjātau dvau sutau nṛpa | tau suprasiddha nāmānau śrīkuṃḍala vikuṃḍalau
तस्यैवं वर्त्तमानस्य, नृप, संजातौ द्वौ सुतौ; तौ सुप्रसिद्धनामानौ श्रीकुण्डल-विकुण्डलौ।
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (nṛpa)
Concept: Dharmic living bears fruit not only as personal merit but also as orderly progeny and social continuity; names and reputation (‘suprasiddha’) signal dharma’s public radiance.
Application: See family responsibilities as a dharmic trust; cultivate virtue so that one’s ‘name’ becomes synonymous with integrity, not mere status.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a palace inner courtyard, the dharmic father stands with folded hands as attendants present two newborn sons on embroidered cloth, while elders bless them and scribes record their famed names. The atmosphere is calm and auspicious, hinting that worldly order is being completed before the coming turn toward the forest.","primary_figures":["dharmic father (anonymous)","two infants: Śrīkuṇḍala and Vikuṇḍala","queen/mother (optional)","family elders","court scribe/priest"],"setting":"Royal household courtyard with cradle, auspicious pots (kalaśa), incense, and blessing gestures; subtle temple icon in background.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","warm gold","pearl white","turquoise","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: royal courtyard naming scene with two infants on ornate cloth; gold leaf halos around auspicious symbols, rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing on textiles, priests blessing, scribe inscribing names, serene prosperity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate palace interior with soft pastel architecture; mother and attendants cradle two infants; refined faces, gentle gestures of blessing, lyrical calm, minimal ornamentation with elegant detail.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized family tableau with bold outlines; two infants centered, elders blessing; warm pigments, patterned textiles, temple aesthetic translated into domestic auspiciousness.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical celebratory composition with lotus borders; infants at center, attendants and elders mirrored; deep blue and gold accents, floral vines and auspicious kalasha motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft shehnai (distant)","gentle bells","murmured blessings","courtyard birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्येत्थम् = तस्य + इत्थम्; वर्त्तमानस्य (कृदन्त); श्रीकुंडल विकुंडलौ → श्रीकुंडलौ विकुंडलौ (द्विवचन-प्रथमा).
FAQs
The verse directly addresses a king, but this single śloka alone does not identify him by name; the identification depends on the surrounding dialogue in Adhyaya 30.
It marks a genealogical turning point in the story: the birth of two sons and the introduction of their names, preparing for subsequent events involving their lineage or deeds.
The verse emphasizes continuity of life and lineage within Purāṇic storytelling—how actions and circumstances lead to future generations, which later become central to dharma-oriented narratives.