Shloka 28
The Account of Sukalā and the Greatness of Nārī-tīrtha
Wife-Assisted Śrāddha and Pitṛ-Liberation
श्रद्धया शृणुते नारी सुकलाख्यानमुत्तमम् । सौभाग्येन तु सत्येन पुत्रपौत्रैर्न मुच्यते
śraddhayā śṛṇute nārī sukalākhyānamuttamam | saubhāgyena tu satyena putrapautrairna mucyate
สตรีใดสดับเรื่องอันประเสริฐของสุคลา ด้วยศรัทธา นางย่อมได้รับสิริมงคลและความเป็นมงคลแท้จริง และมิได้ขาดบุตรและหลานสืบสกุล
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Śraddhā-yukta śravaṇa of a virtuous narrative brings saubhāgya and continuity of lineage; faith is the conduit for grace.
Application: Cultivate faith and attentive listening to elevating teachings; create a weekly kathā time at home; let spiritual practice support emotional resilience and family harmony.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a quiet home shrine room, a woman listens with unwavering faith as a kathā is recited, her gaze steady and hands resting near a small lamp and offering plate. The story of Sukalā seems to unfold as a faint visionary tableau behind the reciter—symbols of prosperity (grain, lamps, conch) and a gentle aura of protection around children in the background.","primary_figures":["Woman listener (nārī)","Kathā-reciter (elder/sage or family priest)","Sukalā as a faint visionary figure (optional)","Family members/children (subtle background)"],"setting":"Domestic shrine space with tulsi courtyard hinted outside, brass lamp, incense, and palm-leaf/book stand","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp gold","vermillion red","turmeric yellow","indigo shadow","rice-white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: interior shrine scene with a brass lamp, the woman seated in devotion listening to a reciter; gold leaf on lamp flames, halos, and auspicious motifs (śrī symbols, grain sheaves); rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry details, symmetrical framing with floral borders and temple-like arch.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate domestic courtyard with soft textiles and delicate architecture; the woman’s attentive expression rendered with refined lines; gentle pastel palette with warm highlights from a small lamp; a translucent narrative vignette of Sukalā floating like a thought-cloud behind the reciter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized home-shrine with lamp and offerings; the woman in profile listening posture; strong reds/yellows/greens; icon-like clarity; auspicious symbols (kalasha, grain) integrated as decorative panels around the main figures.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional domestic scene framed by lotus and floral borders; deep blue background with gold motifs; repeated lamp and lotus patterns; peacocks and vines as prosperity emblems; intricate textile detailing emphasizing saubhāgya and sacred listening."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft bell","low tanpura","incense crackle","distant courtyard birds","gentle page-turning"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुकलाख्यानमुत्तमम् = सुकला-आख्यानम् उत्तमम्; पुत्रपौत्रैर्न = पुत्रपौत्रैः न.
FAQs
It states that faithful listening to the Sukalā narrative brings saubhāgya (good fortune) and that the listener will not become bereft of sons and grandsons.
It elevates śravaṇa (devout listening) as a meritorious devotional act that yields auspicious results, reflecting a bhakti-oriented valuation of hearing sacred narratives.
The verse encourages attentive, faith-filled engagement with dharmic stories, presenting sincere receptivity (śraddhā and śravaṇa) as spiritually and socially auspicious.