Shloka 26
The Glory of Plastering/Smearing (and Maintaining) Hari’s Temple
धर्मराज उवाच । किं पुण्यं वर्त्ततेऽमात्य वद सारं ममांतिके । श्रुत्वैवं तद्विधास्यामि यत्र योग्यो भवेदसौ
dharmarāja uvāca | kiṃ puṇyaṃ varttate'mātya vada sāraṃ mamāṃtike | śrutvaivaṃ tadvidhāsyāmi yatra yogyo bhavedasau
ธรรมราชตรัสว่า: “โอ้เสนาบดี จงบอกสาระของบุญนั้นแก่เรา ณ ที่นี้ เมื่อเราได้ฟังแล้ว เราจักจัดการให้เหมาะสม เพื่อให้เขาเป็นผู้ควรแก่ผลนั้น.”
Dharmarāja (Yama)
Concept: Justice is not blind punishment; it seeks the ‘sāra’ (essence) of merit to place the soul on an appropriate path toward fitness (yogyatā).
Application: When judging others (or oneself), search for the redeeming core and design a corrective path rather than only condemnation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yama leans forward from his throne, palm open in a gesture of inquiry, asking for the ‘essence’ of merit. Citragupta stands respectfully with folded hands, the massive ledgers now secondary to a single glowing line—symbolizing the one act that can change destiny.","primary_figures":["Dharmarāja (Yama)","Citragupta"],"setting":"Celestial courtroom with throne, dharma-emblems, and illuminated manuscript stands","lighting_mood":"balanced lamp-lit solemnity with a focused beam on the ‘sāra’","color_palette":["antique gold","lamp-flame amber","deep maroon","midnight blue","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yama in regal posture with gold-leaf halo, right hand extended in inquiry, Citragupta holding a stylus and a single highlighted palm-leaf; ornate pillars, rich reds/greens, embossed gold on throne and manuscript edges, gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate dialogue composition, Yama’s calm face and refined hand gesture, Citragupta attentive; soft gradients, delicate textiles, cool blues with warm amber accents, minimal yet elegant court setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic frontal Yama with expressive eyes, hand raised in questioning mudrā; Citragupta in profile with manuscript; strong outlines, red-ochre background, yellow-green garments, stylized lamp motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central medallion of a ‘dharma-throne’ with floral borders; script motifs forming the word ‘sāra’ symbolically; deep blue ground, gold and white ornamentation, symmetrical decorative framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["steady mridang-like pulse","soft bell punctuation","hall reverb","brief silence after questions"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मराज उवाच→धर्मराजः उवाच; वर्त्ततेऽमात्य→वर्तते अमात्य; ममांतिके→मम अन्तिके; श्रुत्वैवं→श्रुत्वा एवम्; तद्विधास्यामि→तत् विधास्यामि; भवेदसौ→भवेत् असौ
FAQs
He asks his minister to state the essential meritorious practice (puṇya) that can be undertaken, so he can implement it appropriately.
It implies making a person “qualified/fit” for a specific result—often moral eligibility, spiritual readiness, or suitability for a favorable destiny.
Ethical outcomes are linked to deliberate cultivation of merit: one should learn the right course (sāra) and then actively put it into practice to become worthy of the intended good.