Shloka 68
Pṛthu’s Earth-Milking, the Etymology of ‘Pṛthivī,’ and the Vaivasvata (Solar) Genealogy
तस्मान्न धर्मकामार्थी चित्रेष्वायतनेषु च । न क्वचित्कारयेत्पादौ देवदेवस्य धीमतः
tasmānna dharmakāmārthī citreṣvāyataneṣu ca | na kvacitkārayetpādau devadevasya dhīmataḥ
కాబట్టి ధర్మం, కామం, అర్థం కోరువాడు చిత్రాలలో గానీ ఆలయాలలో గానీ ఎక్కడా ధీమంతుడైన దేవదేవుని పాదములను చేయించకూడదు, చిత్రింపకూడదు.
Unspecified (narratorial/instructional voice within the Adhyaya)
Concept: Pursuit of the purusharthas (dharma, kama, artha) must be aligned with scriptural limits; sacred art is also a domain of dharma.
Application: When building/renovating temples or commissioning devotional art, follow established iconographic canons; prioritize humility and correctness over novelty.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a serene temple hall, painters and sculptors pause respectfully before a blank panel where forbidden imagery would have been placed. A learned acharya gestures toward a canonical icon of the deity (permitted form) while a soft lamp glow sanctifies the space, teaching that restraint itself is auspicious.","primary_figures":["Vaishnava acharya/priest","temple artisans","Devadeva (as a sanctioned icon in the sanctum, implied)"],"setting":"stone-pillared shrine interior with mural panels, sculpting tools, and a sanctum doorway","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm ghee-lamp amber","sandalwood beige","emerald green","vermilion","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: temple interior with a sanctioned Vishnu icon in the sanctum, lavish gold leaf on ornaments; an acharya instructs artisans to leave a panel blank where forbidden feet would be; rich reds/greens, gem-studded jewelry, ornate pillars, didactic hand gestures.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet temple veranda with artisans seated, brushes lowered; a teacher points to a manuscript of iconographic rules; soft natural light, refined faces, delicate architectural lines, restrained palette with gentle vermilion accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; priest-teacher with palm-leaf manuscript; artisans in attentive poses; sanctum lamp flames; traditional pigment palette emphasizing dharmic instruction and calm order.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional workshop framed by lotus borders; central sanctioned deity motif, while a side panel remains intentionally empty; intricate floral patterns, deep blues and gold, emphasizing ‘what is not painted’ as sacred discipline."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells (gentle)","oil lamp crackle","soft mridangam (distant)","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्मात् + न → तस्मान्न; चित्रेषु + आयतनेषु → चित्रेष्वायतनेषु; क्वचित् + कारयेत् → क्वचित्कारयेत्; कारयेत् + पादौ → कारयेत्पादौ।
FAQs
It discourages commissioning or producing depictions of the Lord of Lords’ feet, specifically mentioning both paintings and temple/shrine contexts.
It addresses a person seeking the three aims—dharma (righteous order), kāma (legitimate enjoyment), and artha (prosperity)—and advises such a seeker to avoid this act.
The verse frames reverence and restraint in religious representation as part of righteous conduct, implying that certain forms of depiction are considered improper within this context.