Previous Verse
Next Verse

Shloka 29

The Integrated Dharma-Discipline: Celibacy, Austerity, Charity, Observances, Forgiveness, Purity, Non-violence, Peace, Non-stealing, Self-restraint, and Guru-service

पूर्वाचार्यैर्यथा प्रोक्ता तामेवं प्रवदाम्यहम् । वाचा देहेन मनसा गुरुकार्यं प्रसाधयेत्

pūrvācāryairyathā proktā tāmevaṃ pravadāmyaham | vācā dehena manasā gurukāryaṃ prasādhayet

పూర్వాచార్యులు ఎలా ఉపదేశించారో అలాగే నేనూ చెబుతున్నాను. వాక్కు, దేహం, మనస్సు—ఈ మూడింటితో గురుకార్యాన్ని సమర్థంగా నిర్వహించాలి.

पूर्वाचार्यैःby the former teachers
पूर्वाचार्यैः:
करण (Karaṇa/Instrument-agentive)
TypeNoun
Rootपूर्व + आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक; components: पूर्व, आचार्य)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय (Descriptive: 'पूर्वाः आचार्याः')
यथाas
यथा:
सम्बन्ध (Manner marker)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा (अव्यय)
Formप्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (Adverb of manner: 'as')
प्रोक्ताwas taught/declared
प्रोक्ता:
क्रिया (Predicate participle)
TypeVerb
Rootप्र + वच् (धातु) → प्रोक्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
Formकृदन्त (Past Passive Participle, क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive sense)
ताम्that (teaching/service)
ताम्:
कर्म (Karma/Object)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular), सर्वनाम (Pronoun)
एवम्thus
एवम्:
सम्बन्ध (Manner marker)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएवम् (अव्यय)
Formप्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (Adverb: 'thus')
प्रवदामिI state/declare
प्रवदामि:
क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
TypeVerb
Rootवद् (धातु) + प्र (उपसर्ग)
Formलट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)
अहम्I
अहम्:
कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
TypeNoun
Rootअस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formप्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular), सर्वनाम (Pronoun)
वाचाby speech
वाचा:
करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
TypeNoun
Rootवाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)
देहेनby the body
देहेन:
करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
TypeNoun
Rootदेह (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)
मनसाby the mind
मनसा:
करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
TypeNoun
Rootमनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)
गुरुकार्यंthe teacher's task/service
गुरुकार्यं:
कर्म (Karma/Object)
TypeNoun
Rootगुरु + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक; components: गुरु, कार्य)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive Tatpurusha: 'गुरोः कार्यम्')
प्रसाधयेत्should accomplish/fulfil
प्रसाधयेत्:
क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
TypeVerb
Rootसाध् (धातु) + प्र (उपसर्ग)
Formविधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

Unspecified narrator/speaker (context needed to confirm the dialogue frame in Bhūmi-khaṇḍa 13)

Concept: Guru-kārya should be fulfilled through speech, body, and mind—complete alignment of intention, word, and deed in service.

Application: Before acting, check tri-fold alignment: (1) mind—no resentment, (2) speech—truthful and respectful communication, (3) body—timely, careful execution; treat mentorship and elders with consistent service.

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciple performs three modes of service simultaneously: reciting respectful words, offering physical assistance, and inwardly meditating on the guru’s welfare. The scene shows the guru’s tasks—arranging manuscripts, tending the sacred fire, preparing offerings—each touched by the disciple’s coordinated devotion.","primary_figures":["guru (ācārya)","disciple engaged in guru-kārya"],"setting":"study hall within an āśrama, with palm-leaf texts, homa-kunda, and a small Viṣṇu shrine","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp amber","palm-leaf tan","vermilion","deep green","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: guru near a small Viṣṇu shrine; disciple offering a manuscript with one hand, tending a lamp with the other, and lips poised in respectful recitation; gold leaf on shrine arch, lamp flame, and manuscript borders; rich reds/greens, traditional jewelry minimal; ornate frame with conch and chakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined interior āśrama scene; delicate brushwork; cool shadows and warm lamp glow; disciple shown in a graceful triad composition (speech, body, mind) with subtle visual metaphors—floating script ribbon, steady hands, calm face; distant hills visible through a window.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized guru and disciple; strong pigments; the threefold service represented by three symbolic bands around the disciple—speech (mantra ribbon), body (tools), mind (lotus at heart); temple-wall aesthetic with decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central vignette of sevā before a small Viṣṇu icon; surrounding border of lotuses and tulasi sprigs; deep blue background with gold highlights; peacocks and cows in corners; intricate floral filigree emphasizing ‘seva through mind, speech, body’."}

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["page rustle of palm leaves","soft bell","fire crackle","low drone (tanpura)"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वाचार्यैर्यथा = पूर्वाचार्यैः + यथा; तामेवं = ताम् + एवम्; प्रवदाम्यहम् = प्रवदामि + अहम्

FAQs

It teaches holistic guru-sevā: a disciple should support the teacher’s work with all three instruments—speech (truthful, helpful words), body (practical service), and mind (respectful intention and focus).

Guru-sevā is not only physical help; it includes verbal support (speaking appropriately, conveying teachings, assisting through counsel) and mental alignment (reverence, attention, and sincere intention).

Integrity and consistency: inner intention (mind), outward conduct (body), and communication (speech) should work together in serving dharma and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to a teacher.