Shloka 40
Protection of Brāhmaṇas
त्यजन्ति तृणवत्प्राणांस्तेषां लोकाः सनातनाः । विमृश्येति मुनिः स्वांते स प्रोवाच द्विजर्षभः
tyajanti tṛṇavatprāṇāṃsteṣāṃ lokāḥ sanātanāḥ | vimṛśyeti muniḥ svāṃte sa provāca dvijarṣabhaḥ
ผู้ใดสละชีวิตดุจหญ้าแห้ง ผู้นั้นย่อมมีโลกอันเป็นนิรันดร์ ครั้นใคร่ครวญในดวงใจดังนี้แล้ว มุนีกล่าวว่า—โอ้ผู้ประเสริฐในหมู่ทวิชะ
Narrator (a sage speaking to a 'dvijarṣabha' addressee; exact named speakers not specified in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Those who relinquish life for dharma attain enduring realms; inner reflection (vimṛśya) precedes right speech and action.
Application: Cultivate discernment before action; value principles over fear of loss; practice small daily sacrifices (time, ego, comfort) for righteous ends.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage sits in still contemplation, eyes half-closed, as if weighing the worth of life against dharma; behind him, a faint vision of luminous ‘eternal worlds’ opens like layered celestial terraces. He then turns to speak to a noble twice-born listener, his voice carrying the certainty of realized reflection.","primary_figures":["a meditating sage (muni)","a dvijarṣabha listener","celestial witnesses (gandharvas/apsarases as faint silhouettes)"],"setting":"forest hermitage with a small fire altar; the sky subtly reveals stacked lokas like translucent mandalas","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["smoky quartz gray","celestial white","saffron glow","peacock blue","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sage seated on a tiger-skin mat near a tiny homa-kunda, gold leaf aura expanding into tiered celestial lokas above; ornate arch, rich reds and greens, embossed gold clouds, jeweled highlights on kamandalu and rosary; dvijarṣabha listener at right in respectful posture.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet Himalayan-like hermitage with delicate pines; the sage’s introspective face rendered with fine lines; above, pale translucent circles suggest eternal worlds; cool blues and soft saffron accents, refined garments, gentle narrative gesture as the sage begins to speak.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; sage with large calm eyes, stylized forest foliage; above him, concentric celestial bands in yellow and green with red accents; rhythmic decorative motifs around the fire altar and the listener’s folded hands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional cosmogram—tiered lokas as lotus rings; the sage at the base like a bhakta-poet; ornate floral borders, deep indigo field with gold stippling; include subtle śaṅkha-cakra motifs to hint Vaishnava ‘sanātana’ destination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["forest birds","gentle wind in leaves","soft fire crackle","tanpura drone","brief bell accent at ‘sanātanāḥ’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तृणवत्प्राणान् = तृणवत् + प्राणान्. प्राणांस्तेषां = प्राणान् + तेषाम्. विमृश्येति = विमृश्य + इति. स्वांते = स्व + अन्ते. द्विजर्षभः = द्विज + ऋषभः.
FAQs
It expresses radical non-attachment: the virtuous or resolute treat even life as insignificant compared to dharma, truth, or spiritual attainment.
It indicates enduring spiritual reward—higher, lasting realms attained by those who uphold dharma with unwavering resolve and self-sacrifice.
“Dvijarṣabha” is an honorific meaning “best of the twice-born,” typically addressing an exemplary Brahmin or learned listener within the dialogue.