Shloka 83
Yayāti’s Summons to Heaven and the Teaching on Old Age, the Five-Element Body, and Self–Body Discernment
सकामाग्निः समाख्यातो बलनाशकरो नृप । मैथुनस्य प्रसंगेन विनाशत्वं कलेवरे
sakāmāgniḥ samākhyāto balanāśakaro nṛpa | maithunasya prasaṃgena vināśatvaṃ kalevare
ข้าแต่พระราชา ไฟนี้เรียกว่า “สกามัคนิ” คือไฟแห่งกาม ซึ่งทำลายกำลัง; ด้วยความหมกมุ่นในเมถุน (การร่วมเพศ) กายย่อมถึงความเสื่อมสลาย
Unspecified (narrator/teacher addressing a king: 'nṛpa')
Concept: Kāma, likened to an inner fire, erodes bala (strength) and hastens bodily decline; restraint supports longevity and spiritual steadiness.
Application: Treat desire as a ‘fire’ to be managed: reduce triggers, keep disciplined routines, channel energy into japa, service, and regulated household dharma; practice moderation and periodic brahmacarya especially on vrata days.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A contemplative teacher addresses a crowned king in a quiet palace hall, pointing toward a small sacrificial flame that visually transforms into a subtle, smoky ‘kāma-agni’ hovering near the heart. The king’s posture shifts from pride to humility as the flame’s heat is shown draining a warrior’s vigor into ash-like motes, symbolizing bala-kṣaya.","primary_figures":["dharma-upadeśaka ṛṣi/ācārya","nṛpa (king)","personified Kāma-agni (subtle flame motif)"],"setting":"royal sabhā with a small homa-kuṇḍa, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a distant shrine niche with Viṣṇu’s emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) to anchor the Vaiṣṇava frame","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky umber","saffron gold","deep maroon","ash gray","conch white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a seated guru-figure instructing a jeweled king in a palace mandapa beside a small homa fire; the ‘fire of lust’ shown as a stylized flame near the chest with gold-leaf halos, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate pillars, and subtle śaṅkha-cakra motifs in the background; devotional gravity, high detail, gold leaf embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an intimate courtly scene with delicate brushwork—sage teaching a king, a small ritual fire, and a translucent flame motif symbolizing kāma; cool architectural tones, refined faces, lyrical minimalism, and a quiet Vaiṣṇava shrine niche in the corner; soft gradients and fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments—ācārya and king in profile, the inner ‘kāma-agni’ as a stylized red-orange flame near the torso, temple-lamp ambiance, characteristic large eyes, red/yellow/green palette, and a subtle Viṣṇu emblem behind them on a wall panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central small flame encircled by lotus motifs, with a king and teacher at the sides; intricate floral borders, deep blues and gold, peacocks subdued at the edges; a discreet Krishna-Viṣṇu presence via śaṅkha-cakra patterns, emphasizing restraint as devotion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","low crackle of ritual fire","soft drone (tanpura)","brief silence after key warnings"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सकामाग्निः = सकाम + अग्निः.
FAQs
“Sakāmāgni” literally means “the fire of desire,” i.e., lust that burns the mind and drives compulsive indulgence.
It warns that attachment to sensual pleasure weakens vitality and leads to bodily and moral decline, encouraging restraint and disciplined living.
The verse criticizes indulgent attachment (“prasaṅga”) that becomes compulsive and harmful; it is framed as a caution against lust-driven excess rather than a blanket denial of household life.