Shloka 68
Instruction to Śatrughna and the Mobilization for Rāma’s Aśvamedha
येषां वेदाः प्रियतमा न च संसारजं सुखम् । स्वधर्मनिरता ये च तान्नमस्कुर्विहान्वितान्
yeṣāṃ vedāḥ priyatamā na ca saṃsārajaṃ sukham | svadharmaniratā ye ca tānnamaskurvihānvitān
వేదాలు అత్యంత ప్రియమైనవిగా భావించి, సంసారజన్య సుఖాలలో ఆనందించని, స్వధర్మంలో స్థిరంగా ఉండే—అటువంటి నియమశీలులు, అప్రమత్తులు అయిన వారిని నేను నమస్కరిస్తాను।
Unspecified (context-dependent within Pātāla-khaṇḍa dialogue)
Concept: Honor those who love the Veda, are disenchanted with saṃsāric pleasures, and remain steady in svadharma with vigilance (apramāda).
Application: Choose daily study/recitation, reduce indulgence, do one’s duties conscientiously, and cultivate apramāda (non-negligence) in speech, diet, and conduct.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A line of serene sages and householders stand with palms joined, each holding a palm-leaf manuscript, their faces calm and resolute. Behind them, worldly pleasures appear as faint, fading mirages—music, garlands, and gold dissolving into mist—while the figures remain anchored in svadharma like steady lamps in windless air.","primary_figures":["Vedic sages (ṛṣis)","disciplined householders (gṛhasthas)","a narrator-sage (optional)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a small fire-altar, deer grazing at a distance, and a quiet study pavilion with manuscripts.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","smoke gray","leaf green","sunrise gold","indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dignified row of sages and dharmic householders holding palm-leaf Vedas, with gold leaf halos and ornate borders; a yajña-kuṇḍa and lamps in the foreground; worldly temptations painted as subdued, shadowy motifs fading at the edges; rich reds/greens, embossed gesso details on manuscripts and ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a tranquil Himalayan-forest hermitage at dawn; refined figures reading and bowing to disciplined elders; delicate trees, soft gradients, cool indigo shadows; worldly pleasures depicted as pale, dissolving vignettes in the background; lyrical restraint and clarity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized sages with large eyes and bold outlines, holding manuscripts; a central flame altar; symbolic clouds of ‘saṃsāra-sukha’ rendered as muted forms dissipating; earthy reds, yellows, greens with temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional-dharma tableau with ornate floral borders; central motif of a lamp (apramāda) and manuscript; attendants in disciplined postures; lotuses and peacocks framing the scene; deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft fire-crackle","tanpura drone","birds at dawn","measured silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तान् + नमस्कुरु → तान्नमस्कुरु; नमस्कुरु + विहान्वितान् → नमस्कुर्विहान्वितान् (र् + व sandhi). अंतिम पद ‘विहान्वितान्’ appears textually problematic; likely variant ‘विहीनान्’.
FAQs
It praises loving the Vedas, detachment from worldly pleasure (saṃsāra-ja sukha), and steadfastness in svadharma, supported by vigilance and discipline.
It presents faithful commitment to one’s rightful duty (svadharma) as a mark of the worthy—especially when paired with restraint and disinterest in merely worldly enjoyments.
Honor and emulate those who are guided by revealed wisdom (Vedas), live responsibly within their duty, and avoid being driven by transient pleasures.