Shloka 19
The Account of Sukalā (within the Vena Episode): Truth-Power and the Testing of a Devoted Wife
अंभो यथा पद्मदले गतं वै प्रयाति मुक्ताफलकस्य कीर्तिम् । तद्वत्स्वभावः परिसत्ययुक्तो जज्ञे च तस्यास्तु पतिव्रतायाः
aṃbho yathā padmadale gataṃ vai prayāti muktāphalakasya kīrtim | tadvatsvabhāvaḥ parisatyayukto jajñe ca tasyāstu pativratāyāḥ
ดุจหยาดน้ำที่พักอยู่บนกลีบบัว ย่อมได้ชื่อเสียงแห่งประกายมุกฉันใด ในสตรีผู้เป็นปติวรตานั้นก็ได้บังเกิดสภาวะอันประกอบด้วยสัจจะอันบริบูรณ์ฉันนั้น
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Satya (truthfulness) in a pativratā becomes naturally radiant—like water on lotus becoming pearl-like in fame and brilliance.
Application: Cultivate truthfulness in speech and intention; let truth be ‘unsticking’ like water on lotus—do not let the mind cling to deceit, resentment, or self-justifying narratives.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close, poetic tableau: a lotus leaf holds a bead of water that gleams like a pearl, reflecting the sky. In the background, the pativratā stands serene, her aura subtly luminous, suggesting that truthfulness has crystallized into visible radiance.","primary_figures":["pativratā (devoted wife)","symbolic lotus leaf with water drop (pearl-like)"],"setting":"still pond with blooming lotuses; soft breeze; minimal human architecture to keep the metaphor central","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","jade green","pearl white","sky blue","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a large lotus leaf foreground with a pearl-like water droplet rendered with bright highlights, gold leaf accents on the droplet and lotus veins; the pativratā behind with a gentle gold aura, rich reds and greens, ornate floral border motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical pond scene with delicate lotus clusters, a magnified water bead on a leaf, cool blues and greens, fine gradations and refined facial serenity for the woman, poetic negative space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized lotus pond with bold outlines, the droplet depicted as a bright white orb, the woman in calm frontal stance, warm ochres and greens, temple-wall narrative symbolism.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus pond filled with repeating lotus motifs, central oversized lotus leaf with pearl-like droplet, ornate floral borders, deep blue water with gold highlights, devotional symmetry emphasizing purity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","soft tanpura drone","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अंभो→अम्भः; तद्वत्स्वभावः→तद्वत् + स्वभावः; परिसत्ययुक्तो→परिसत्ययुक्तः (visarga before voiced consonant); तस्यास्तु→तस्याः + अस्तु.
FAQs
It praises the innate virtue of a pativratā (devoted wife), highlighting that perfect truthfulness (satya) naturally arises in such a person.
The simile conveys purity and radiant excellence: water on a lotus leaf remains unstained and gleaming, symbolizing how virtue—especially truthfulness—shines in one established in dharma.
Cultivating satya (truthfulness) and integrity makes one’s character luminous and respected, just as the lotus-water image suggests an unstained, elevated quality.