Shloka 93
The Bhīma-Dvādaśī
Kalyāṇinī) Vow and the Anangadāna-Vrata (with a Courtesan-Conduct Discourse
वेश्यानामपि यो धर्मस्तं नो ब्रूहि तपोधन । कथयिष्ये वदत्तासां यद्दाल्भ्यश्चैकितायनः
veśyānāmapi yo dharmastaṃ no brūhi tapodhana | kathayiṣye vadattāsāṃ yaddālbhyaścaikitāyanaḥ
హే తపోధనా! వేశ్యలకు కూడా వర్తించే ధర్మాచారాన్ని మాకు చెప్పుము. వారి విషయమై దాల్భ్యుడు మరియు చైకితాయనుడు చెప్పినదాన్ని నేను వివరించెదను.
Narrator/sage addressing another ascetic (tapodhana); specific names not explicit in this single verse
Concept: Dharma is not suspended by social status; even courtesans have a code of conduct that can align life toward purification and merit.
Application: Avoid moral absolutism that dehumanizes; ask ‘what is the next right action’ for any person’s situation; support ethical pathways and reform rather than condemnation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of ascetics sits beneath a banyan, respectfully questioning a radiant tapodhana about the dharma applicable even to courtesans. Palm-leaf texts lie open, and the atmosphere is compassionate—seeking guidance rather than judgment.","primary_figures":["tapodhana (austerity-rich sage)","inquiring sages/disciples","Dālbhya","Caikitāyana"],"setting":"forest gurukula clearing with banyan tree, deer nearby, manuscripts and water pot (kamaṇḍalu)","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["banyan green","sandalwood beige","sunrise gold","terracotta","ink black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central tapodhana seated on a carved wooden seat, disciples in semicircle, palm-leaf manuscripts and kamaṇḍalu in foreground; ornate gold leaf haloing, rich reds/greens, temple-like framing, stylized flora, jewel-toned garments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle dawn in a forest classroom; delicate faces, soft shadows; the sage gestures in teaching mudrā while disciples listen; cool greens, pale gold sky, fine textile patterns, minimal gilding.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: teaching scene with bold outlines; the guru’s large eyes and calm smile; disciples in rhythmic arrangement; red/yellow/green pigments, floral borders, wall-painting texture.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: instructional tableau framed by lotus and creeper borders; central medallion of the guru teaching; side motifs of lamps and lotuses; deep indigo background with gold detailing, Nathdwara ornamental density."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["birds at dawn","rustling leaves","soft mridanga drone (subtle)","silence between question and answer"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वेश्यानाम्+अपि → वेश्यानामपि; धर्मः+तम् → धर्मस्तम्; तम्+नः → तं नो; यत्+दाल्भ्यः+च+एकितायनः → यद्दाल्भ्यश्चैकितायनः.
FAQs
It introduces a discussion on dharma (ethical conduct) specifically as it applies to veśyās (courtesans), framed as an authoritative teaching attributed to sages Dālbhya and Caikitāyana.
It primarily sets up the teaching: the speaker asks for the dharma to be explained and promises to narrate what earlier sages stated.
It implies that dharma is not limited to a single class or life-situation; moral responsibility and norms of conduct are discussed as applicable across social roles.