Shloka 3
Yayāti Ensnared by Desire: Gandharva Marriage, Aśvamedha, and the Demand to See the Worlds
ससर्पोसि महाराज भूतले चंदनं यथा । सर्पैश्च वेष्टितो राजन्महाचंदन एव हि
sasarposi mahārāja bhūtale caṃdanaṃ yathā | sarpaiśca veṣṭito rājanmahācaṃdana eva hi
హే మహారాజా! నీవు భూమిపై చందనంలాంటివాడవు; సర్పాలు చుట్టుముట్టినా, హే రాజా, నీవు నిజంగా మహాచందనమే।
Unspecified (a counselor/sage addressing the king; exact speaker not provided in the input)
Concept: Intrinsic virtue remains unchanged even when surrounded by hostility; the noble retain their nature like sandalwood retains fragrance.
Application: Maintain ethical conduct and calm speech when surrounded by envy or slander; let character, not circumstance, define you.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble king stands calm and upright like a sandalwood tree trunk laid upon the earth, while dark serpents coil around it without diminishing its pale, fragrant aura. Courtiers watch in tense silence as a soft, unseen breeze carries sandal scent, suggesting unshaken virtue amid danger.","primary_figures":["A righteous king","serpents (symbolic of hostile rivals)","silent courtiers/sage-counselor"],"setting":"Royal garden edge or forest clearing near a palace, with a sandalwood log/tree as the central metaphor made literal.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","deep emerald","cobra black","antique gold","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a composed king with halo-like aura stands beside a sandalwood trunk on earth, serpents coiling around it; gold leaf embellishment on the king’s ornaments and the sandalwood’s luminous grain, rich reds and greens in the background, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, gem-studded jewelry and ornate arch framing the moral allegory.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical forest clearing with delicate brushwork; the king’s serene face rendered with refined features, serpents drawn as elegant sinuous lines around a pale sandalwood trunk; cool greens and soft browns, distant hills, minimal but expressive courtiers, poetic atmosphere of endurance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, flat natural pigments; central king figure with large expressive eyes, sandalwood trunk rendered in warm ochres, serpents in dark greens and blacks; temple-wall aesthetic with decorative borders, emphasizing dharma’s radiance despite encirclement.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition with lotus borders and floral vines; central sandalwood motif encircled by stylized serpents, the king shown in devotional calm; deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile patterns, peacocks and foliage as auspicious counterpoint to the serpents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","forest birds","low drone (tanpura)","brief silence after the simile"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ससर्पोऽसि → ससर्पः असि; चंदनं → चन्दनम् (अनुस्वार/वर्तनी-भेद); सर्पैश्च → सर्पैः च; राजन्महाचंदन → राजन् महाचन्दनः.
FAQs
It compares a righteous king to sandalwood: even if surrounded by serpents (hostile or corrupt influences), his intrinsic virtue remains unchanged.
It teaches steadiness in dharma—true character is not diminished by dangerous surroundings or opposition.
A king should remain principled even when encircled by threats, intrigue, or morally compromised associates; virtue must be maintained despite pressure.