Shloka 15
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
न गणयेन्मूर्खं विद्वांसं पोष्यो विप्रः सदा भवेत् । सर्वैः पुण्यैः समायुक्तं सुदानैर्बहुभिर्नृप
na gaṇayenmūrkhaṃ vidvāṃsaṃ poṣyo vipraḥ sadā bhavet | sarvaiḥ puṇyaiḥ samāyuktaṃ sudānairbahubhirnṛpa
మూఢుని పండితుడిగా గణించకూడదు. బ్రాహ్మణుని ఎల్లప్పుడూ పోషించి ఆదరించాలి. హే నృపా! అనేక శ్రేష్ఠ దానములచే సమస్త పుణ్యములతో యుక్తుడవుతాడు.
Unspecified (didactic instruction addressed to a king: 'nṛpa')
Concept: Do not mistake folly for learning; maintain and support brāhmaṇas consistently—through many fine gifts one becomes endowed with manifold merits.
Application: Verify competence and character before granting authority or patronage; support genuine educators and ethical leaders steadily rather than rewarding loudness or pretension.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king consults two figures: one brash and ornamented, speaking loudly with empty gestures; the other quiet, learned, holding a manuscript and prayer beads. The king turns toward the true scholar, offering respectful gifts, while the pretender fades into the background—discernment made visible.","primary_figures":["a king (nṛpa)","a learned brāhmaṇa (vidvān)","a foolish pretender (mūrkha)","attendants with gift trays"],"setting":"court consultation chamber with low dais, manuscript stand, and offering vessels; contrasting postures of the two claimants","lighting_mood":"divine radiance focused on the learned figure","color_palette":["ivory","royal blue","burnished gold","crimson","sage green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic moral contrast—gold leaf radiance around the vidvān brāhmaṇa, subdued tones around the mūrkha; king offering gifts with ornate jewelry and rich textiles; embossed gold on manuscripts and vessels; traditional symmetry with a clear focal halo on true learning.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court interior; subtle psychological expression; the pretender rendered with slightly exaggerated gesture, the scholar with composed gaze; cool blues and warm ochres; delicate detailing of palm-leaf manuscript and mala.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; two contrasting figures flanking the king; the learned brāhmaṇa highlighted with brighter pigments; stylized manuscript and beads; strong red/yellow/green palette with clear iconographic readability.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical discernment scene framed by floral borders; lotus motifs around the learned brāhmaṇa; deep blue ground with gold accents; include subtle Vaishnava emblems to indicate that honoring true dharma pleases Viṣṇu; decorative symmetry and intricate patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single bell strike at key injunction","assembly hush","tanpura drone","soft rustle of cloth"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गणयेन्मूर्खम् = गणयेत् + मूर्खम्; सुदानैर्बहुभिः = सु-दानैः + बहुभिः; बहुभिर्नृप = बहुभिः + नृप
FAQs
It teaches discernment (not mistaking folly for learning) and emphasizes dharma through supporting worthy brāhmaṇas and giving charitable gifts, which are said to generate puṇya (spiritual merit).
Such verses often instruct rulers in rāja-dharma: to uphold social and religious duties, including patronage and charity, and to recognize genuine learning rather than rewarding incompetence.
It explicitly links ‘many good gifts’ (su-dānair bahubhiḥ) with being ‘endowed with all merits’ (sarvaiḥ puṇyaiḥ samāyuktam), presenting charity and support of the virtuous as a direct cause of spiritual merit.