Shloka 1
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
ऋषय ऊचु । कर्मयोगः कथं सूत येन चाराधितो हरिः । प्रसीदति महाभाग वद नो वदतां वर
ṛṣaya ūcu | karmayogaḥ kathaṃ sūta yena cārādhito hariḥ | prasīdati mahābhāga vada no vadatāṃ vara
ఋషులు పలికిరి—హే సూతా! ఏ విధంగా కర్మయోగం ఆచరించాలి, దానివలన ఆరాధింపబడిన హరి ప్రసన్నుడగును? హే మహాభాగ! మాకు చెప్పుము; నీవు వక్తలలో శ్రేష్ఠుడు।
The sages (ṛṣayaḥ), addressing Sūta
Concept: Karma-yoga is sought not as mere technique but as Hari-ārādhana—action disciplined so that it pleases Viṣṇu.
Application: Ask ‘Does this please Hari and protect dharma?’ before acting; cultivate niyama (regularity), satya, ahiṃsā, and offering of results; seek guidance from trustworthy teachers and texts.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet forest hermitage, a semicircle of sages with matted locks and white garments sit before Sūta, their palms joined as they ask about karma-yoga that pleases Hari. Behind them, a small altar with a Viṣṇu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) and a steady lamp suggests that the inquiry itself is worship.","primary_figures":["Sūta","assembled ṛṣis"],"setting":"Naimiṣāraṇya-like forest āśrama: kusa mats, sacrificial area, deer wandering at a distance, hanging water pots, manuscripts on a stand.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sage green","earth brown","smoke gray","lamp gold","white cotton"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sūta seated on a decorated seat under a stylized tree canopy, sages in symmetrical rows with folded hands; gold leaf highlights on lamp, ornaments, and manuscript borders; rich reds/greens in textiles, traditional South Indian framing with lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate forest assembly with delicate foliage, refined faces, soft shadows; Sūta gestures gently while sages listen; cool greens and browns, subtle gold for the lamp, lyrical naturalism with birds perched on branches.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized forest backdrop, Sūta and sages with characteristic large eyes; red/yellow/green palette, ornamental borders, a small Viṣṇu symbol near the altar, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional assembly framed by intricate floral borders; central lamp and Viṣṇu emblem, sages arranged rhythmically; deep blue border accents with lotuses and peacocks, textile symmetry and fine patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["forest birds","rustling leaves","soft tanpura drone","occasional temple bell","hushed assembly silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋषयः + ऊचुः → ऋषय ऊचुः (अः + ऊ → ओ; पदच्छेदे विसर्ग-लोपः). येन + च → येन च; च + आराधितः → चाराधितः (च + आ → चा).
FAQs
The sages ask Sūta to explain the method of karma-yoga—right action as a spiritual discipline—by which worship of Hari (Viṣṇu) becomes effective and gains divine grace.
It frames karma-yoga as a way of “ārādhana” (devotional worship): actions, when performed as worship directed to Hari, become a means to please God rather than mere worldly duty.
That action should be guided by reverence and higher purpose—performed in a disciplined, worshipful manner—so that one’s conduct aligns with spiritual aims and earns divine favor.