Shloka 48
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
विचरत्यनिशं भीमे वने प्राणिवधंकरः । विषसंसक्तबाणाग्र रूढचापगुणोद्धुरः
vicaratyaniśaṃ bhīme vane prāṇivadhaṃkaraḥ | viṣasaṃsaktabāṇāgra rūḍhacāpaguṇoddhuraḥ
เขาเร่ร่อนมิหยุดในพงไพรอันน่ากลัว มุ่งหมายฆ่าสรรพสัตว์; ปลายศรชโลมพิษ และสายธนูถูกดึงตึงแน่น
Unspecified (narrative voice; dialogue context not provided in the input)
Concept: Cruelty toward living beings (prāṇi-vadha) hardens the mind and becomes the seed of naraka-like consequences.
Application: Reduce harm in livelihood and habits; cultivate compassion (dayā), avoid intoxicants/poisons (literal or metaphorical), and redirect ‘taut bow’ energy into disciplined sādhana.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dread forest thick with twisted sal trees and thorny undergrowth; a hunter prowls ceaselessly, eyes narrowed, bow fully drawn. His arrowheads glisten with a greenish poison sheen, while frightened deer and birds scatter into shadowed thickets.","primary_figures":["the hunter (vyādha)","terrified forest creatures (deer, boar, birds)"],"setting":"dense, ominous forest path with broken branches, animal tracks, and a distant ravine","lighting_mood":"forest dappled turning to storm-dark","color_palette":["deep umber","moss green","poison jade","smoke gray","blood maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a fierce hunter in a stylized forest, bowstring taut, poison-tipped arrows highlighted with subtle green enamel effect; gold leaf used for weapon ornaments and border motifs, rich reds and greens, gem-studded armlets, traditional South Indian decorative framing with yali borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate brushwork showing a shadowy Himalayan-foothill forest, the hunter mid-stride with drawn bow, tiny animals fleeing; cool greens and grays, refined facial features, lyrical naturalism, mist curling between trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, the hunter rendered with strong posture and exaggerated eyes, forest foliage in layered greens and ochres; natural pigments, temple-wall aesthetic, dramatic stance with the bowstring emphasized as a sweeping arc.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel of the forest with intricate floral borders; animals in patterned silhouettes fleeing the hunter; deep blues and greens with gold accents, lotus motifs in the border as moral contrast to violence, ornate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","distant animal cries","low drum pulse","wind through trees","tense silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विचरत्यनिशं = विचरति + अनिशम्; विषसंसक्तबाणाग्र = विष-संसक्त-बाण-अग्रः; रूढचापगुणोद्धुरः = रूढ-चाप-गुण-उद्धुरः.
FAQs
It depicts a relentless hunter (or violent figure) moving through a fearsome forest, prepared to kill animals with poisoned arrowheads and a fully drawn bow.
The verse highlights deliberate cruelty and premeditated violence—an image often used in Purāṇic narratives to contrast with dharma, compassion, and restraint.
A taut, firmly drawn bowstring signals readiness and intent: the figure is not accidental or defensive, but actively prepared for repeated killing.