Shloka 38
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
शेष उवाच । तान्समेतान्मुनीन्दृष्ट्वा रामो दाशरथिर्महान् । पप्रच्छ सर्वधर्मांश्च सर्ववर्णाश्रमोचितान्
śeṣa uvāca | tānsametānmunīndṛṣṭvā rāmo dāśarathirmahān | papraccha sarvadharmāṃśca sarvavarṇāśramocitān
เศษะกล่าวว่า: ครั้นทอดพระเนตรเห็นหมู่มุนีที่มาชุมนุมกัน ณ ที่นั้น พระรามผู้ยิ่งใหญ่ โอรสแห่งทศรถ ได้ทรงถามถึงธรรมทั้งปวง อันเหมาะสมแก่ทุกวรรณะและทุกอาศรม
Śeṣa
Concept: Even the greatest ruler seeks instruction from sages; dharma is contextual—appropriate to each varṇa and āśrama.
Application: Before major decisions, consult wise mentors; tailor spiritual practice to life-stage and responsibilities rather than copying others blindly.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma, bow resting at his side, approaches the circle of sages with composed humility, his gaze attentive and questioning. The sages sit beneath an ancient tree, their ascetic glow contrasting with Rāma’s royal radiance, as the air feels charged with dharma about to be spoken.","primary_figures":["Rāma Dāśarathi","assembled ṛṣis","Śeṣa (as narrator-presence, optional)"],"setting":"Forest hermitage clearing with kusa seats, sacrificial fire-pit, water pots, and a quiet grove backdrop.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","forest green","sky blue","earth brown","gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rāma with serene face and ornate crown yet humble posture, sages seated around a small yajña-kuṇḍa, gold leaf on halos and ornaments, rich reds/greens, detailed jewelry and textiles, temple-arch framing the forest scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Rāma in soft blue with delicate facial features, sages in white/ochre, lyrical forest with fine leaves and distant hills, cool palette with warm dawn wash, subtle narrative intimacy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Rāma with characteristic large eyes and stylized bow, sages in rhythmic seated poses, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, mural-like forest motifs and sacred fire iconography.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Rāma-centered composition with lotus borders, stylized trees and peacocks, deep blue and gold accents, intricate floral patterns framing the sage assembly and dharma discourse."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["forest birds","crackling sacrificial fire","soft conch (ritual)","wind through leaves","tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तान्समेतान्मुनीन्दृष्ट्वा = तान् + समेतान् + मुनीन् + दृष्ट्वा; दाशरथिर्महान् = दाशरथिः + महान्; सर्वधर्मांश्च = सर्वधर्मान् + च; सर्ववर्णाश्रमोचितान् = सर्ववर्णाश्रम + उचितान् (समास)
FAQs
It presents Rāma as seeking comprehensive guidance on dharma—duties appropriate to all varṇas (social orders) and āśramas (stages of life)—from realized sages.
The verse is framed as Śeṣa narrating the episode, a common Purāṇic technique where a revered cosmic figure conveys authoritative tradition.
It emphasizes humility and discernment: even a great king seeks instruction from sages to understand right conduct for different roles and life-stages.