Shloka 24
The Glory of the Brāhmaṇa
Brāhmaṇa-Mahimā and Pādodaka Merit
भीम उवाच । मम कश्चिद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ नास्ति सेवां तवापि च । शूद्रोऽहं निलये जात्या कृत्वा स्थास्यामि ते सदा
bhīma uvāca | mama kaściddvijaśreṣṭha nāsti sevāṃ tavāpi ca | śūdro'haṃ nilaye jātyā kṛtvā sthāsyāmi te sadā
ภีมะกล่าวว่า: "ข้าแต่พราหมณ์ผู้ประเสริฐ ข้าพเจ้าไม่มีผู้ใดอื่น ดังนั้นข้าพเจ้าจะรับใช้ท่าน ข้าพเจ้าเป็นศูทรโดยกำเนิด และตั้งใจแน่วแน่ว่าจะขออาศัยอยู่รับใช้ท่านตลอดไป"
Bhīma
Concept: Sevā offered with humility transcends social identity; devotion expresses itself as lifelong service to the righteous.
Application: Choose a steady service—care for elders, feeding, volunteering, temple help—and keep it consistent; let identity labels not block sincere devotion.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhīma stands with folded hands before a serene brāhmaṇa, his posture firm yet humble, declaring his vow of constant service. The brāhmaṇa’s dwelling appears simple but sanctified, with ritual vessels and a calm aura suggesting tapas and purity.","primary_figures":["Bhīma (as a devoted attendant figure)","a brāhmaṇa sage (dvija-śreṣṭha)"],"setting":"courtyard of a Brahmin’s home with a small yajña-vedi, water pot, and sacred grass","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","earth brown","ivory","peacock blue","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Bhīma in humble stance offering sevā-vrata to a seated brāhmaṇa sage; gold leaf on the sage’s halo and ritual vessels, rich reds/greens, ornate borders, traditional iconographic symmetry, gem-like highlights on ornaments and utensils.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene in a quiet courtyard, Bhīma’s earnest face and folded hands, the sage calm and luminous, cool morning air with pale mountains hinted in distance, refined lines and gentle pastel shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Bhīma and the sage in frontal clarity, stylized sacred implements, warm red-yellow-green palette, large expressive eyes, temple-wall compositional balance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional framing with floral borders and lotus motifs; Bhīma’s vow scene set like a bhakta narrative panel, deep blue background with gold accents, peacocks and vines as auspicious fillers, emphasis on sevā-bhāva."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["handbell","soft mridangam pulse","morning birds","water pot pour"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कश्चिद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ = कश्चित् + द्विजश्रेष्ठ; नास्ति = न + अस्ति; तवापि = तव + अपि; शूद्रोऽहं = शूद्रः + अहम्; (ते सदा: no sandhi)
FAQs
It highlights steadfast commitment to service (sevā) and humility: Bhīma resolves to remain devoted in service to a respected twice-born, regardless of his own social status by birth.
It frames dharma as conduct expressed through loyal service and constancy—ethical action and devotion in relationship—rather than mere social identity.
Bhīma acknowledges birth status (“Śūdra by birth”) while emphasizing personal resolve and service as the defining virtue, suggesting that character and commitment are spiritually significant.