Shloka 31
The Account of Sukalā and the Greatness of Nārī-tīrtha
Wife-Assisted Śrāddha and Pitṛ-Liberation
धर्मज्ञो जायते राजन्सदाचारः सुखी भवेत् । शूद्र सुःखमवाप्नोति पुत्रपौत्रैः प्रवर्धते
dharmajño jāyate rājansadācāraḥ sukhī bhavet | śūdra suḥkhamavāpnoti putrapautraiḥ pravardhate
ఓ రాజా, మనిషి ధర్మజ్ఞుడుగా జన్మిస్తాడు; సదాచారంతో సుఖవంతుడవుతాడు. శూద్రుడుకూడా సుఖాన్ని పొందుతూ కుమార-పౌత్రులతో అభివృద్ధి చెందుతాడు.
Unspecified (context not provided; likely a narrator/sage addressing a king in Bhūmi-khaṇḍa discourse)
Concept: Dharma-knowledge and sadācāra (good conduct) generate happiness and flourishing for all, including those of humble station; prosperity is framed as ethical and familial continuity.
Application: Cultivate daily sadācāra—truthfulness, restraint, hospitality, cleanliness, and devotion; measure success by inner happiness and the well-being of family/community rather than status.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compassionate teaching scene where a king listens as a sage gestures toward a diverse gathering—workers, artisans, and householders—each shown receiving symbols of happiness: a calm face, a thriving home, children playing. The atmosphere conveys that dharma and good conduct uplift everyone, not only the elite.","primary_figures":["a king (rājan)","a dharma-teaching sage","śūdra householder family","villagers of varied occupations"],"setting":"Village-edge assembly beneath a banyan tree near a small shrine; homes and fields visible; children and elders present.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","leaf green","turmeric yellow","sky blue","clay red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a benevolent sage addressing a crowned king under an ornate arch; to the side, a humble family with children and grandparents, their home and granary depicted as auspicious; gold leaf highlights on halos and jewelry, rich reds/greens, stylized lotus motifs framing the message of universal dharma-fruit.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical banyan-tree discourse with the king seated respectfully; villagers and a śūdra family in the foreground, children playing; delicate pastel palette, fine textiles, gentle smiles, distant riverbank and fields, emphasis on humane warmth and social harmony.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, sage and king in profile with expressive eyes; a family group shown prospering with sons and grandsons; flat planes of red/yellow/green, temple-wall symmetry, small shrine lamp glowing to signify sadācāra.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotuses and creepers; central vignette of sage teaching the king; surrounding medallions show virtues (satya, daya, shauca) and a flourishing household with children; deep indigo ground with gold and white detailing, peacocks at corners symbolizing auspiciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["birds","breeze in leaves","soft hand cymbals","distant temple bell","children’s faint laughter (ambient)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मज्ञो→धर्मज्ञः; राजन्सदाचारः→राजन् + सदाचारः; सुःखमवाप्नोति→सुखम् + अवाप्नोति.
FAQs
It teaches that knowledge of dharma and consistent good conduct (sadācāra) are direct causes of happiness and flourishing in life.
It emphasizes that the fruits of dharma and right conduct are not restricted by social category; well-being and family prosperity are presented as accessible through virtuous living.
It links dharma-jñāna and sadācāra with tangible results—happiness and growth through family continuity (sons and grandsons)—showing dharma as both ethical and socially sustaining.