Shloka 23
Dharma of the Renunciant: Alms Discipline, Meditation, and Expiations
ततश्चरेत नियमात्कृच्छ्रं संयतमानसः । पुनराश्रममागम्य चरेद्भिक्षुरतंद्रितः
tataścareta niyamātkṛcchraṃ saṃyatamānasaḥ | punarāśramamāgamya caredbhikṣurataṃdritaḥ
ఆపై నియమానుసారంగా, నియంత్రిత మనస్సుతో ‘కృచ్ఛ్ర’ తపస్సు చేయాలి. మళ్లీ ఆశ్రమానికి వచ్చి, భిక్షువు ఆలస్యం లేకుండా భిక్షాటన కొనసాగించాలి.
Not specified in the provided verse (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: After expiation, one must resume regulated practice—penance is completed by sustained, non-lazy conduct.
Application: Make amends, then rebuild habits: return to your routine of service, study, and simplicity without procrastination.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After completing austerity, a mendicant walks calmly from the hermitage gate with begging bowl in hand, mind collected and eyes gentle. The path is simple—dusty earth, quiet trees—yet the scene radiates resolve: discipline continues as daily practice, not as a momentary act.","primary_figures":["bhikṣu (mendicant)","optional: āśrama residents in background"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a small gate, huts, and a winding path leading toward a village edge for alms-round.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm ochre","leaf green","sky blue","linen white","soft amber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: A bhikṣu stepping out of an ornate yet simple āśrama gateway, holding a begging bowl and staff; gold leaf accents on the dawn sky and subtle halo of discipline, rich reds/greens in borders, embossed textures on the path and trees, traditional iconographic clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: A slender mendicant on a winding path from a hermitage to a distant village, delicate trees and soft hills, cool morning air rendered with pale washes; refined expression conveying steadiness and non-laziness, fine brushwork on the bowl and staff.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Bold outlines, bhikṣu in simple garments with stylized eyes, rhythmic trees and huts behind; strong yellow-red-green palette, dawn glow, composition emphasizing forward movement and disciplined return to duty.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Central walking mendicant framed by ornate floral borders; repeating motifs of bowls, staffs, and lotus rosettes symbolizing purity regained; deep blue or maroon ground with gold highlights, patterned path leading outward to suggest continuous practice."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["morning birds","footsteps on earth","distant village sounds","soft bell from āśrama"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ततः + चरेत → ततश्चरेत; नियमात् + कृच्छ्रम् → नियमात्कृच्छ्रम्; पुनः + आश्रमम् → पुनराश्रमम्; आश्रमम् + आगम्य → आश्रममागम्य; चरेत् + भिक्षुः → चरेद्भिक्षुः; भिक्षुः + अतन्द्रितः → भिक्षुरतन्द्रितः.
FAQs
Kṛcchra is a regulated austerity (tapas) performed under specific rules (niyama), often involving controlled diet and disciplined conduct, undertaken for purification and self-restraint.
It instructs the bhikṣu to return to the āśrama and continue the disciplined life of a mendicant—especially the alms-round—remaining vigilant and free from laziness.
The verse highlights disciplined adherence to religious observances, mental restraint, and steady diligence—showing that spiritual practice requires both austerity and consistent, non-negligent daily conduct.