Shloka 72
The Supremacy of Food-Charity and the Rāma–Śambūka Episode
Child Revived through Rājadharma
किमर्थं तप्यसे वा त्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तापस । ब्राह्मणो वासि भद्रं ते क्षत्रियो वाथ दुर्जयः
kimarthaṃ tapyase vā tvaṃ śrotumicchāmi tāpasa | brāhmaṇo vāsi bhadraṃ te kṣatriyo vātha durjayaḥ
“ท่านบำเพ็ญตบะเพื่อเหตุใด? โอ้ดาบส เราปรารถนาจะฟัง จงบอกมา—ท่านเป็นพราหมณ์ผู้เป็นมงคล หรือเป็นกษัตริย์ผู้ยากจะพิชิต?”
Unspecified (a questioner addressing an ascetic)
Concept: Ask the purpose (artha) behind tapas and understand the practitioner’s dharmic station; intention and dharma-context shape the fruit of austerity.
Application: Before adopting strict practices, articulate your aim and ensure it harmonizes with your responsibilities; seek clarity rather than imitating extremes.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A questioner stands before a severe ascetic whose matted hair and ash-marked limbs show long discipline. The question hangs in the air—what is the aim of this tapas, and what is the ascetic’s station—while the forest seems to pause, listening.","primary_figures":["Questioner (contextual)","Tapasvin (ascetic)"],"setting":"Deep forest āśrama edge with a small hut, deer nearby, a water pot and staff, and a faint smoke thread from a ritual fire.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoke gray","bark brown","moss green","sunlit amber","chalk white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: intense ascetic with gold halo seated on a tiger-skin, kamandalu and daṇḍa beside him; the questioner in respectful stance; gold leaf highlights on ornaments and halo, rich maroon and green background panels, stylized forest and agni-kunda details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet forest with delicate leaves and a small hermitage; ascetic rendered with fine lines and calm severity; the questioner slightly bowed; cool palette with lyrical naturalism, distant hills and a streamlet implied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: ascetic with bold outlines, prominent eyes, ash markings; questioner in profile; stylized trees and patterned borders; warm earthy pigments and temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ascetic scene framed by floral borders and lotus medallions; peacocks perched on branches; deep blue-green ground with gold detailing; devotional symmetry even in a forest narrative panel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","distant flowing water","soft bell at hermitage","long pauses"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: किमर्थं = किम् + अर्थम्; श्रोतुमिच्छामि = श्रोतुम् + इच्छामि; वासि = वा + असि; वाथ = वा + अथ.
FAQs
It asks why the ascetic is undertaking tapas (austerity) and inquires about his social identity—whether he is a brāhmaṇa or a kṣatriya.
By linking a person’s austerity to purpose and identity, it frames tapas as an intentional dharmic practice that is typically explained through one’s duties, vows, or spiritual goal.
The speaker approaches the ascetic with respectful curiosity (“bhadraṃ te”), suggesting that spiritual discipline should be understood through dialogue, humility, and a wish to learn rather than suspicion.