Shloka 22
Yayāti’s Summons to Heaven and the Teaching on Old Age, the Five-Element Body, and Self–Body Discernment
इंद्र उवाच । सत्यधर्मेण को राजा प्रजाः पालयते सदा । सर्वधर्मसमायुक्तः श्रुतवाञ्ज्ञानवान्गुणी
iṃdra uvāca | satyadharmeṇa ko rājā prajāḥ pālayate sadā | sarvadharmasamāyuktaḥ śrutavāñjñānavānguṇī
พระอินทร์ตรัสว่า: “กษัตริย์องค์ใดเล่าที่ด้วยสัจจธรรมคุ้มครองประชาราษฎร์อยู่เสมอ—พร้อมด้วยคุณแห่งธรรมทั้งปวง เป็นผู้สดับรู้ เป็นผู้มีญาณ และเปี่ยมด้วยคุณความดี?”
Indra
Concept: The ideal ruler protects subjects through satya-dharma, integrating learning, wisdom, and virtue—rāja-dharma as guardianship, not domination.
Application: In leadership roles, prioritize truthfulness, competence, and the welfare of those you serve; measure success by protection and fairness, not display.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra, seated amid celestial splendor, leans forward with a discerning gaze, asking about the rare king who rules by truth and protects his people. The background subtly contrasts order and potential chaos—suggesting that righteous governance on earth steadies the heavens.","primary_figures":["Indra","Nārada (implied respondent)"],"setting":"Celestial assembly hall with throne, banners, and a quiet circle of devas; a faint vignette-like suggestion of an earthly kingdom in the distance (symbolic).","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["electric blue","antique gold","white jasmine","crimson","emerald"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra on a gold-leaf throne, expressive hand gesture of inquiry, Nārada poised to answer with vīṇā, ornate pillars and arch, gem-studded ornaments, rich reds/greens, gold halos, symbolic miniature panel showing an ideal king protecting subjects.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court scene with delicate lines, Indra’s inquisitive posture, Nārada calm, cool blues and greens, soft cloud architecture, subtle symbolic landscape of an earthly city, lyrical dignity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—Indra with stylized crown, questioning gesture, Nārada attentive, symmetrical composition, red/yellow/green pigments, strong eye expressions, dharma-themed iconographic motifs (scales, protective umbrella) subtly integrated.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Indra and Nārada framed by lotus borders, deep blue with gold highlights, intricate floral patterns, symbolic motifs of protection (royal umbrella, conch), ornate textile detailing, devotional-dharma mood."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["celestial chimes","drone (tanpura)","temple bells","soft conch shell","hushed court ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रुतवाञ्ज्ञानवान्गुणी = श्रुतवान् + ज्ञानवान् + गुणी (न् + ज् → ञ्ज्; न् + ग् → ङ्ग्).
FAQs
Indra is speaking, asking which king consistently protects his people through satya-dharma (truth-based righteousness) and is fully endowed with dharmic virtues, learning, wisdom, and good character.
The verse presents the ideal ruler as one who governs by truth, safeguards the welfare of the subjects, and combines scriptural learning (śruta), discernment (jñāna), and personal virtue (guṇa).
It frames truth not merely as personal honesty but as a governing principle: a king’s legitimacy and protective duty toward the people are grounded in satya as dharma.