Shloka 5
Episode of King Vena: Deceptive Doctrine, Compassion, and the Contest over Dharma
पुरुषः कश्चिदायातश्छद्म लिंगधरस्तदा । नग्नरूपोवमहाकायःवशिरोमुंडो महाप्रभः
puruṣaḥ kaścidāyātaśchadma liṃgadharastadā | nagnarūpovamahākāyaḥvaśiromuṃḍo mahāprabhaḥ
ครั้งนั้นมีชายผู้หนึ่งมาถึง สวมเครื่องหมายดาบสอันลวง; ปรากฏกายเปลือย มีร่างใหญ่โต ศีรษะเกลี้ยง และมีรัศมีรุ่งเรืองยิ่ง
Narrator (contextual voice within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue; specific speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: External marks of renunciation can be counterfeit; dharma requires discernment beyond appearances.
Application: Evaluate spiritual authority by character, compassion, and consistency with śāstra; avoid being swayed by spectacle or charisma.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A towering naked ascetic figure strides into view, his head shaven, body massive, and an unsettling splendor radiating from him—yet his insignia feels wrong, like a mask worn over emptiness. Onlookers recoil: some are dazzled, others sense danger, as the air thickens with the omen of counterfeit holiness.","primary_figures":["The disguised ascetic (chadma-liṅgadhara)","Brāhmaṇas / townspeople / court attendants (as witnesses)"],"setting":"Threshold of a royal court or city gate—pillars, banners, and a wide stone path—where public religion meets political power.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["cold silver","charcoal black","bone white","dull saffron","blood red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic entrance of a huge shaven-headed naked ascetic with a false emblem, gold leaf used paradoxically to highlight his ‘splendor’ while faces of onlookers show fear and doubt, rich crimson architectural backdrop, ornate pillars, heavy borders, high-contrast sacred-drama composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: slender architectural lines of a palace gate, the imposing figure rendered with careful shading, cool nocturnal palette, expressive refined faces of witnesses showing mixed awe and alarm, subtle moon glow and long shadows.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized musculature, intense eyes, strong red-yellow-green palette tempered with dark blue night field, palace pillars patterned, the figure’s aura shown as rhythmic flame-like motifs despite the ominous mood.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central ominous figure framed by ornate lotus borders, deep indigo background with silver-white moon motifs, decorative architectural elements, peacocks at corners with alert posture, gold highlights used sparingly to suggest deceptive radiance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["sudden hush","footsteps on stone","distant conch","wind gust through banners"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कश्चिदायातः = कश्चित् आयातः; आयातश्छद्म = आयातः छद्म; लिंगधरस्तदा = लिङ्गधरः तदा; नग्नरूपोवमहाकायःवशिरोमुंडो = नग्नरूपः उव/इव महाकायः च शिरोमुण्डः (पाठसंशयः: ‘उव’ सम्भवतः ‘इव’; ‘व’ इत्यादि संधि/लिपिदोष)
FAQs
It means “one who bears an ascetic’s emblem as a disguise,” implying outward religious marks are being used deceptively rather than as signs of genuine renunciation.
These are striking external markers associated with certain renunciant types; the verse highlights how powerful appearances—even seemingly holy ones—can be misleading when paired with “chadma” (deception).
The verse points toward discernment: judging by conduct and truthfulness rather than by external religious symbols, impressive physique, or charismatic “splendor.”