Shloka 55
Womb-Suffering and the Path to Liberation
Dialogue of Wisdom, Meditation, and Discernment
त्वचा जर्जरतां याता यस्याप्यंगे वरानने । श्वेतैश्चैव तथाकेशैः पलितैश्च समाकुला
tvacā jarjaratāṃ yātā yasyāpyaṃge varānane | śvetaiścaiva tathākeśaiḥ palitaiśca samākulā
โอผู้มีพักตร์งาม แม้ผู้นั้นก็มิพ้นรอยชรา; ผิวกายย่นยับ และเส้นผมขาวกับผมหงอกก็ปกคลุมทั่ว
Unspecified (context-dependent within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa narrative)
Concept: Aging marks every body—wrinkles and grey hair are universal—therefore pride in youth/beauty is unstable and should yield to spiritual pursuit.
Application: Contemplate impermanence daily; treat elders with reverence; invest time in sādhanā rather than appearance-based identity; simplify desires.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close, compassionate portrait of an aging person: wrinkled skin, silver hair, and a softened gaze, seated beside a mirror that reflects not vanity but quiet acceptance. In the background, a tulasi pot and a small Vishnu lamp suggest turning from bodily decline toward devotion.","primary_figures":["aging person (symbolic everyman)","young listener (varānane) in the periphery"],"setting":"Simple room with a low seat, mirror, tulasi planter, and a small shrine shelf.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["silver grey","muted rose","earth brown","lamp gold","deep teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dignified elder with silver hair and fine wrinkles, seated near a small Vishnu shrine and tulasi pot; gold leaf on the lamp flame and halo-like aura of acceptance, rich textile borders, ornate but restrained composition emphasizing impermanence.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate interior with soft natural light, elder’s gentle expression, delicate rendering of grey hair strands; a small tulasi pot by the window, cool teal shadows, lyrical quietness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized elder figure with clear wrinkle patterns, bold outlines, warm pigments; shrine lamp and tulasi rendered iconically, symmetrical framing like a didactic panel on jarā.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central vignette of aging with lotus border; tulasi and lamp motifs repeated; deep blue ground with gold floral filigree, small Krishna/Vishnu emblem above to indicate refuge beyond decay."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft tanpura","slow bell strokes","even breathing pauses","distant evening birds","quiet room tone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यस्याप्यंगे = यस्य + अपि + अङ्गे (इ + अ → य). श्वेतैश्चैव = श्वेतैः + च + एव (ः + च → श्च). तथाकेशैः = तथा + केशैः (आ + क → आक). पलितैश्च = पलितैः + च (ः + च → श्च).
FAQs
It highlights the inevitability of aging—wrinkled skin and greying hair—underscoring bodily impermanence.
The address creates contrast: even beauty is subject to time, reinforcing the message that physical form inevitably changes.
It encourages detachment from mere bodily identity and motivates pursuit of lasting values such as dharma, devotion, and inner discipline.