Shloka 5
Yayāti’s Ascent to Heaven
and Entry into Vaikuṇṭha
स्थापितोस्ति मया लोका राजा धीरः सदंडकः । एवमुक्तास्तु ताः सर्वाः प्रजा राजानमब्रुवन्
sthāpitosti mayā lokā rājā dhīraḥ sadaṃḍakaḥ | evamuktāstu tāḥ sarvāḥ prajā rājānamabruvan
“เราสถาปนาระเบียบแห่งหมู่ชนไว้แล้ว: พระราชาทรงมั่นคง กล้าหาญ และทรงถือทัณฑะ (ไม้ลงโทษ) อยู่เสมอ” ครั้นตรัสดังนี้แล้ว ปวงประชาทั้งหมดจึงกราบทูลพระราชา
Narrator (contextual voice within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa; specific dialogue-pair not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Daṇḍa-nīti: the king’s firmness and just punishment uphold social order; governance is a dharmic institution.
Application: Practice ‘firm compassion’: set clear boundaries, enforce fair consequences, and communicate rules transparently in any leadership role.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A steadfast king stands with a ceremonial staff (daṇḍa) held upright, symbolizing impartial justice. The people, previously uncertain, now speak in unison—hands folded—acknowledging the restored order as ministers and scribes record the decree.","primary_figures":["the king (dhīra, sad-daṇḍa)","assembled subjects","ministers","scribe"],"setting":"Royal court with a judgment platform; carved pillars, hanging lamps, and a public assembly space beyond.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["antique gold","charcoal black","vermillion","jade green","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the king holding the daṇḍa in a formal court, gold leaf halo and throne arch, ministers and scribes at sides, subjects in folded-hands posture, rich vermillion and emerald textiles, ornate jewelry, embossed gold detailing on pillars and borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined court scene with the king’s calm firmness, delicate linework on the staff and textiles, soft architectural washes, expressive faces of subjects speaking respectfully, muted mountain-like blues and greens in the background for depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal king with prominent eyes and stylized crown, daṇḍa emphasized as a vertical axis, tiered crowd composition, bold outlines, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, decorative creeper borders like temple murals.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel of ‘rājadharma’ with ornate floral borders, symmetrical court canopy, deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks at corners, intricate textile motifs on garments, the daṇḍa rendered as a sacred emblem of order."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["court drum (dundubhi)","staff tap on stone","temple bells","crowd response murmur","conch shell accent"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थापितोस्ति = स्थापितः + अस्ति; एवमुक्तास्तु = एवम् + उक्ताः + तु; राजानमब्रुवन् = राजानम् + अब्रुवन्
FAQs
“Sadaṇḍakaḥ” means “always with the daṇḍa (rod of punishment),” i.e., a ruler who consistently upholds law and discipline through just enforcement.
It frames ideal kingship as steady, wise governance paired with reliable enforcement of justice—order is maintained when authority is exercised consistently and responsibly.
This specific verse is primarily about rājadharma (political-ethical duty) rather than tīrtha description or bhakti theology, though it fits the Purana’s broader concern with dharma in society.