Shloka 50
Instruction to Śatrughna and the Mobilization for Rāma’s Aśvamedha
हस्त्यश्वरथपादात सेनासंघसमन्वितः । यस्य राज्ञ इति श्रेष्ठो मानः स्यात्स्वबलोन्मदात्
hastyaśvarathapādāta senāsaṃghasamanvitaḥ | yasya rājña iti śreṣṭho mānaḥ syātsvabalonmadāt
กษัตริย์ผู้มีหมู่ทัพประกอบด้วยช้าง ม้า รถศึก และทหารราบ เมื่อเมามัวด้วยกำลังของตน ย่อมเกิดทิฐิอันถือว่าตน ‘เหนือกว่า’ ด้วยความคิดว่า “เรานี่แหละคือพระราชา”
Unspecified (narrative/didactic voice within Padma Purāṇa, Pātāla-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Military might can intoxicate the ruler into pride; true kingship is restrained by dharma and humility.
Application: When authority increases, increase accountability: practice humility, consult wise counsel, and remember power is entrusted, not owned.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands atop a rampart surveying an immense fourfold army—elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry stretching to the horizon. His posture subtly shifts from confidence to arrogance, while in the background a faint, divine presence (unseen by him) suggests that power is transient and overseen by higher law.","primary_figures":["king (unnamed)","elephant corps","cavalry","charioteers","infantry"],"setting":"Vast military camp with standards, drums, dust clouds, and orderly formations; distant city walls and watchtowers.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["dusty ochre","iron black","banner crimson","sunlit gold","sage green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: proud king on a decorated platform, fourfold army arrayed in symmetrical tiers, elephants with gold caparisons, chariots with ornate wheels; gold leaf on crowns, weapons, and elephant ornaments, rich reds/greens, embossed detailing emphasizing opulence and the danger of pride.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic army scene with delicate figures and rhythmic lines, the king slightly elevated, subtle facial expression of hubris; soft earth tones, airy sky, refined detailing on banners and armor, narrative clarity with lyrical landscape.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized king with bold outlines, patterned elephants and chariots, dense composition like a temple frieze; strong reds/yellows/greens, black contours, iconic gestures conveying ‘mada’ (intoxicated pride).","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central king with ornate border motifs, surrounding concentric rings of elephants, horses, chariots, footmen; deep blue and gold accents, floral borders, didactic allegory feel rather than strict realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["distant war drums","elephant trumpets","wind over banners","footsteps on gravel","brief silence after key line"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हस्त्यश्वरथपादात = हस्ति+अश्व+रथ+पादात (dvandva, treated as a single instrumental unit). स्यात्स्वबलोन्मदात् = स्यात् + स्वबलोन्मदात्.
FAQs
It warns that military strength can intoxicate a ruler, causing egoistic pride—“I am the king”—which is portrayed as a moral danger rather than a virtue.
It is a compound listing the four classical divisions of an army: elephants, cavalry (horses), chariots, and infantry.
It implies that true kingship requires restraint and humility; power and armies should serve dharma, not inflate personal pride.