Shloka 61
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
न मनुष्यस्तुतिं कुर्यान्नात्मानमवमानयेत् । अभ्युद्यतं न प्रणमेत्परमर्माणि नो वदेत्
na manuṣyastutiṃ kuryānnātmānamavamānayet | abhyudyataṃ na praṇametparamarmāṇi no vadet
อย่ากล่าวสรรเสริญมนุษย์ด้วยคำประจบ และอย่าดูหมิ่นตนเอง ผู้ใดชูมือหมายจะทำร้าย อย่ากราบไหว้ผู้นั้น และอย่าเอ่ยถึงบาดแผลลึกสุดในใจของผู้อื่น
Unknown (context not provided; verse presented standalone)
Concept: Maintain dignified conduct: avoid flattery, self-deprecation, unsafe submission to aggression, and disclosure of another’s deepest wounds.
Application: Practice truthful, non-manipulative speech; set boundaries with violent or unstable persons; never weaponize confidential information; cultivate self-respect without pride.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet hermitage veranda where a sage instructs a young prince in the ethics of speech and dignity. In the background, a tense figure raises a hand in anger, while the prince remains composed, refusing unsafe obeisance and refusing to expose another’s hidden pain.","primary_figures":["a teaching sage (ṛṣi)","a princely listener (Rāma archetype)","an aggressive courtier/warrior as cautionary figure"],"setting":"forest āśrama with palm-leaf manuscripts, kusa grass seat, and a small sacrificial fire; distant river glinting through trees","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","smoke gray","ochre","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene sage seated on a jeweled wooden pīṭha instructing a blue-hued princely figure with folded hands held at chest (not prostrating), a cautionary angry figure behind with raised arm; gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, ornate borders, temple-lamp glow, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hermitage scene with refined faces, the sage gesturing toward a palm-leaf text on nīti; the prince listens calmly; a distant figure in agitation is softened into a moral vignette; cool greens and soft browns, Himalayan-like trees, lyrical naturalism, fine linework.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, warm yellow-ochre skin tones for sages, stylized large eyes; the sage’s hand in teaching mudrā, the prince poised and dignified; background with simplified forest and a small agni-kunda; natural pigments with red/green dominance and temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vaishnava moral tableau framed by lotus and tulasi borders; central dignified prince before a sage, with peacocks and cows at the margins symbolizing gentleness; deep blue and gold accents, intricate floral filigree, Nathdwara-inspired composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","forest birds","gentle wind through leaves","low crackle of sacred fire","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यान्न = कुर्यात् + न; नात्मानम् = न + आत्मानम्; प्रणमेत्परमर्माणि = प्रणमेत् + परमर्माणि; नो वदेत् = न + वदेत्.
FAQs
It teaches balanced dignity: avoid flattering others for gain, avoid self-deprecation, do not submit to imminent violence, and do not weaponize knowledge of others’ sensitive weaknesses.
It restricts speech that manipulates (flattery) or harms (exposing another’s ‘marmas’), emphasizing restraint, respect, and non-cruel communication.
Literally “another’s vital points,” it commonly signifies a person’s most sensitive vulnerabilities—private wounds or weaknesses—which should not be spoken of or exploited.