Shloka 9
Yayāti Ensnared by Desire: Gandharva Marriage, Aśvamedha, and the Demand to See the Worlds
बहुधर्मसमोपेतं चारुलक्षणसंयुतम् । राजोवाच । अन्य भार्यां न विंदामि त्वां विना वरवर्णिनि
bahudharmasamopetaṃ cārulakṣaṇasaṃyutam | rājovāca | anya bhāryāṃ na viṃdāmi tvāṃ vinā varavarṇini
พระราชาตรัสว่า “โอ้สตรีผิวพรรณผ่องงาม ผู้ประกอบด้วยคุณธรรมมากมายและลักษณะมงคลอันงดงาม นอกจากเจ้าแล้ว เรามิปรารถนามเหสีอื่นใด”
The King (Rājā)
Concept: Marital exclusivity grounded in virtue (dharma) and auspicious character is upheld as a stabilizing ethical choice.
Application: Choose relationships based on character and shared values; let commitment be guided by dharma rather than impulse.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king, composed yet visibly moved, addresses the noble woman with reverent admiration. She stands with modest poise, adorned with auspicious ornaments, while the court’s atmosphere softens into a moment of intimate vow amid public ceremony.","primary_figures":["the king (Rājā)","the woman addressed (varavarṇinī)","attendants/courtiers"],"setting":"royal audience hall with a marriage pavilion hinted by garlands and ritual vessels","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","pearl white","royal blue","fresh jasmine green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the king offering a vow of exclusive marriage to a virtuous bride; gold leaf on crowns, necklaces, and arch; rich reds/greens; stylized garlands and ritual kalasha; the bride’s serene face with gem-studded ornaments and silk sari patterns.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a tender courtly exchange under a canopy; delicate brushwork, refined expressions, soft pinks and blues; floral garlands and a small ritual fire in the corner; lyrical naturalism with subtle shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal, iconic figures with bold outlines; the king’s hand raised in declaration; the bride’s modest stance; warm red-yellow-green palette; ornamental borders with lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a vow scene framed by lotus vines and peacocks; deep indigo ground with gold detailing; textiles patterned with conch-chakra motifs to hint Vaishnava sanctity; intricate floral border like Nathdwara hangings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft veena drone","gentle ankle-bell shimmer","distant conch","hushed court silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बहुधर्मसमोपेतम् = बहु+धर्म+सम्+उपेतम् (समास/सन्धि); चारुलक्षणसंयुतम् = चारु+लक्षण+संयुतम्; राजोवाच = राजा+उवाच (आ+उ → ओ); वरवर्णिनि = वर+वर्णिनि (कर्मधारय)
FAQs
The speaker is explicitly marked by “rājovāca” (“the king said”), indicating a line of dialogue spoken by a king.
The verse emphasizes marital fidelity and exclusive commitment—he declares he will not accept or seek another wife apart from her.
They praise her as possessing many virtues (dharma/qualities of character) and auspicious, beautiful traits or marks—both moral and aesthetic excellence.