Shloka 118
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
हीनांगमधिकांगं च कुष्ठिनं कुनखं तथा । दुश्चर्माणं महाराज खल्वाटं परिवर्जयेत्
hīnāṃgamadhikāṃgaṃ ca kuṣṭhinaṃ kunakhaṃ tathā | duścarmāṇaṃ mahārāja khalvāṭaṃ parivarjayet
ข้าแต่มหาราช พึงเว้นผู้ที่มีอวัยวะบกพร่องหรือเกิน ผู้เป็นโรคเรื้อน ผู้มีเล็บเป็นโรค ผู้มีโรคผิวหนังร้ายแรง และผู้ศีรษะล้าน
Unspecified (addressing a king: mahārāja)
Concept: Ritual charity is framed as requiring bodily ‘wholeness’ and freedom from certain diseases as markers of eligibility—reflecting a purity-based dharma taxonomy.
Application: In modern practice, reinterpret ‘fitness’ primarily as ethical reliability and sincere devotion; avoid discriminatory harm while maintaining due diligence for stewardship of offerings.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn instructional moment: the sage-narrator holds a ritual ladle and manuscript while explaining boundaries of eligibility; the king listens, hands folded. The composition uses symbolic imagery—an inner luminous circle of ritual purity and an outer ring of figures shown with softened, non-sensationalized signs of illness—conveying the text’s categorical exclusions without cruelty.","primary_figures":["Narrator/sage","Mahārāja (king)","Attendant brāhmaṇas","Scribes"],"setting":"Ritual-court hybrid space with a small homa-kunda and manuscript stand","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["warm saffron","ash white","leaf green","deep brown","muted teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage and king near a small homa-kunda, gold leaf flames and halos; the sage indicates a manuscript of dāna-niyamas; outer border shows subdued symbolic figures representing bodily disqualifications, rendered respectfully and minimally; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, gold embossing on pillars and ritual vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet pavilion opening to a garden; the sage teaches with gentle hand gesture, the king attentive; eligibility figures appear as faint, respectful silhouettes beyond a low wall; cool greens and teals, delicate brushwork, lyrical restraint, fine textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: central duo with bold outlines; homa-kunda and palm-leaf text; concentric compositional bands—inner bright ritual zone, outer muted band with symbolic figures; natural pigment palette with saffron and green dominance, stylized eyes and ornaments.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: shrine-like central panel of instruction framed by lotus borders; a circular mandala motif separates sanctified center from peripheral symbolic vignettes; deep blue and gold accents, intricate floral filigree; figures stylized and decorative rather than realistic."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["crackling lamp","soft bell","page turning","distant birds","measured silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हीनाङ्गम् (हीन + अङ्गम्); अधिकाङ्गम् (अधिक + अङ्गम्); दुस् + चर्माणम् → दुश्चर्माणम् (स् + च् → श्च्).
FAQs
It advises a king that certain persons marked by specific physical ailments or conditions should be avoided (parivarjayet), presenting a rule of social association.
No. This verse contains no named deities, tīrthas, or mythic locations; it is framed as counsel addressed to a “mahārāja” (great king).
In context, such counsel is typically read as guidance on whom a ruler should keep close for governance and ritual purity norms; modern readers often contrast this with broader dharma ideals of compassion while noting the text’s historical social framework.