Shloka 18
Karmas Leading to Hell and Heaven
Ethical Catalog of Destinies
अनाथं विक्लवं दीनं रोगार्त्तं वृद्धमेव च । नानुकंपंति ये मूढास्ते वै निरयगामिनः
anāthaṃ viklavaṃ dīnaṃ rogārttaṃ vṛddhameva ca | nānukaṃpaṃti ye mūḍhāste vai nirayagāminaḥ
அனாதைகள், கலங்கியவர்கள், ஏழைகள், நோயாளிகள் மற்றும் முதியவர்களிடம் கருணை காட்டாத மூடர்கள் நிச்சயமாக நரகத்திற்குச் செல்வார்கள்.
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Failure to show compassion to the helpless, poor, sick, and aged is grave adharma leading to naraka.
Application: Practice active compassion: feed someone, visit the sick, support elders, donate medicine, volunteer time; cultivate empathy rather than indifference.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A roadside beneath a banyan tree: an old man and a sick woman sit with a child, their eyes pleading, while passersby avert their gaze. A compassionate devotee approaches with water, food, and a cloth, and the scene subtly brightens—implying that mercy itself is a sacred offering.","primary_figures":["helpless elder","sick person","poor child","compassionate devotee","village passersby"],"setting":"earthy roadside near a small shrine and a water pot stand, banyan roots and scattered tulasi-like greenery (without making it explicit)","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm umber","lotus pink","pale turmeric","leaf green","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central act of compassion—devotee offering food and water to the aged and sick under a banyan; gold leaf on the shrine lamp and devotee’s aura, rich reds/greens, ornate border with dharma motifs, jewel-like highlights on vessels and textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical roadside scene with delicate faces and soft gradients; cool shadows under banyan, gentle dawn light; refined naturalism showing the devotee’s tender gesture; distant hills and a tiny shrine bell.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and expressive eyes; the vulnerable group seated in a triangular composition, the devotee extending a pot of water; strong red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall aesthetic with a small shrine icon at the edge.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: compassion tableau framed by lotus and floral borders; peacocks and cows at the margins as symbols of gentleness; deep blue background with gold detailing; a small Vishnu emblem above indicating that service to beings is worship."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","birds at dawn","gentle flowing water","tanpura drone","long pause after 'anukampanti'"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नानुकंपंति = न + अनुकम्पन्ति; मूढास्ते = मूढाः + ते
FAQs
It teaches karuṇā (compassion) as a core dharmic duty—especially toward the helpless, poor, sick, and elderly—and warns that cruelty or indifference leads to grave demerit.
Those who refuse to show compassion to vulnerable people (the helpless, distressed, poor, sick, and aged) are called ‘niraya-gāminaḥ’—persons headed toward hell as a consequence of their adharma.
By actively practicing compassion: offering help, care, resources, respectful attention, and protection to people in need—rather than ignoring them when they are vulnerable.