Shloka 11
The Glory of Truthful Oaths and Keeping One’s Promise
Satya & Pratijñā
यो मर्त्यो दक्षिणं दत्वा करं तत्प्रतिपाल्यते । तस्य प्राप्तिर्भवेत्कृष्णः सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्
yo martyo dakṣiṇaṃ datvā karaṃ tatpratipālyate | tasya prāptirbhavetkṛṣṇaḥ satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmyaham
ผู้ใดเป็นมนุษย์ เมื่อถวายทักษิณาตามธรรมเนียมแล้ว ย่อมรักษาและให้เกียรติคำมั่นนั้นโดยชอบ—ผู้นั้นย่อมเข้าถึงพระศรีกฤษณะได้ ข้าพเจ้ากล่าวว่าเป็นความจริง ความจริงแท้
Unspecified narrator/speaker (context required to confirm the dialogue pair)
Concept: Honoring one’s pledged gift and maintaining the commitment becomes a direct means to attain Kṛṣṇa.
Application: Give only what you can truly sustain; once promised—complete it without delay; treat charitable commitments and service pledges as offerings to Kṛṣṇa.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble householder places a golden dakṣiṇā into a sage’s hands, while a subtle vision of Kṛṣṇa appears in the space between giver and receiver—like a blue flame of grace born from integrity. The pledge is shown as a sacred thread binding the heart to the offering, unbroken and luminous.","primary_figures":["Kṛṣṇa (as a gentle epiphany)","a householder donor","a receiving sage/brāhmaṇa"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a small yajña-kuṇḍa, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a tulasi-like greenery in the periphery (symbolic, not explicit).","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sapphire blue","marigold gold","leaf green","ivory","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Kṛṣṇa with ornate crown and gold halo emerging above the act of dakṣiṇā-giving; donor and sage in symmetrical posture, gold leaf highlighting coins, jewelry, and halo; rich reds/greens, temple-arch frame, gem-studded ornaments, devotional iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate āśrama scene with delicate foliage, a small fire altar, refined facial expressions of humility and blessing; Kṛṣṇa as a soft translucent vision in the sky; cool natural palette with lyrical detail and fine brushwork.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm yellow-red background, Kṛṣṇa in deep blue with stylized eyes, donor offering a gold plate of dakṣiṇā; rhythmic ornamentation, temple-wall composition, natural pigment palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Kṛṣṇa centered with lotus garlands and floral borders; below, a vignette of dakṣiṇā offering repeated in small panels like a narrative frieze; deep blue ground, intricate gold and white lotus motifs, Nathdwara-inspired symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft hand-bell","forest birds","gentle conch at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tatpratipālyate → tat + pratipālyate; prāptirbhavetkṛṣṇaḥ → prāptiḥ + bhavet + kṛṣṇaḥ; vadāmyaham → vadāmi + aham.
FAQs
It praises giving dakṣiṇā (a proper religious gift/fee) and then faithfully upholding the obligation associated with it—i.e., honoring one’s commitment rather than treating giving as a one-time act.
It links ethical religious conduct (right giving and integrity in follow-through) with the spiritual result of attaining Krishna, presenting devotion as supported by dharma and sincerity.
Generosity must be accompanied by responsibility and consistency—one should not only give, but also protect, honor, and complete what one has undertaken.