Shloka 36
The Episode of Cyavana
Cyavana’s Hermitage and the Power of Tapas
एवं वदंतीमार्तां तां गृहीत्वा निरगाद्बहिः । दुष्टो वाक्यप्रहारेण बोधयन्स भृगोः सतीम्
evaṃ vadaṃtīmārtāṃ tāṃ gṛhītvā niragādbahiḥ | duṣṭo vākyaprahāreṇa bodhayansa bhṛgoḥ satīm
ఇలా ఆర్తిగా పలుకుతున్న ఆమెను పట్టుకొని అతడు బయటికి వెళ్లెను। ఆ దుష్టుడు కఠిన వాక్యప్రహారాలతో భృగువు సతీమణిని ఎగతాళి చేస్తూ రెచ్చగొట్టెను।
Narrator (contextual narration within the Purāṇic dialogue)
Concept: Adharma intensifies through verbal violence; harsh speech is itself a weapon that seeks to break satītva (chastity/steadfast virtue).
Application: Treat speech as karmic action: avoid taunting, shaming, and coercive language; practice compassionate communication, especially toward the vulnerable.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The rākṣasa drags the distressed woman beyond the hermitage boundary, his mouth twisted in cruel mockery as his words seem to lash the air. She clutches her abdomen protectively, her posture embodying both fear and steadfast chastity, while the forest path narrows into darkness.","primary_figures":["rākṣasa (wicked abductor)","Bhṛgu’s chaste wife (pregnant, distressed)"],"setting":"A shadowed forest corridor just outside the āśrama; broken twigs, clawed footprints, distant glow of the sacrificial fire fading behind.","lighting_mood":"harsh chiaroscuro—moonlight cut by dense canopy","color_palette":["charcoal black","cold blue","dirty ochre","ember orange (distant)","pale ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: intense narrative panel with the rākṣasa gripping the woman’s arm, gold leaf used sparingly to heighten the contrast between sacred ornaments and profane violence; rich maroons and greens, stylized trees, expressive faces, ornate border emphasizing moral polarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrow forest path with fine brushwork, the rākṣasa’s taunting gesture captured mid-speech, the woman’s eyes downcast yet resolute; cool nocturne palette, delicate foliage, subtle emotional realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and rhythmic forms, the rākṣasa’s speech visualized as sharp, flame-like motifs near his mouth, the woman’s satī-bearing posture iconic; red/yellow/green pigments with dark ground.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative strip with floral borders; the abduction scene framed by lotus vines, peacocks turned away as if in sorrow, deep indigo and vermillion accents, decorative patterning contrasting with the grim event."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["taunting laughter (subtle)","wind gusts","branch snaps","distant fading mantra hum","low ominous drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वदंतीमार्ताम् = वदन्तीम् + आर्ताम्; निरगाद्बहिः = निरगात् + बहिः; बोधयन्स = बोधयन् + सः.
FAQs
A wicked man forcibly takes the distressed woman outside and continues to assail her with harsh, wounding speech—depicting coercion and verbal violence.
Bhṛgu is named; “satī” describes his wife as virtuous and faithful, emphasizing her moral stature in contrast to the aggressor’s cruelty.
The verse highlights that words can function like weapons; verbal cruelty is portrayed as a real form of harm and a mark of adharma.