Shloka 80
Rāma’s Meeting with Agastya: Gift-Ethics (Dāna) and the Tale of King Śveta
यदि गुह्यं न चैतत्ते कथय त्वद्य मे भवान् । कामतः श्रोतुमिच्छामि किमेतत्परमं वचः
yadi guhyaṃ na caitatte kathaya tvadya me bhavān | kāmataḥ śrotumicchāmi kimetatparamaṃ vacaḥ
หากสิ่งนี้มิใช่ความลับของท่าน โปรดกล่าวแก่ข้าในวันนี้เถิด ข้าปรารถนาจะฟังด้วยใจจริง—วาจาอันเป็นธรรมสูงสุดนี้คือสิ่งใด
Unspecified (a disciple/questioner addressing a revered teacher)
Concept: Approach supreme teaching through humility, permission, and earnest listening (śravaṇa).
Application: Before seeking spiritual counsel, cultivate humility, ask respectfully, and commit to attentive listening rather than argument.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A young seeker kneels with folded hands before a venerable teacher seated on a kusa-grass mat beneath a flowering aśvattha. The air feels hushed, as if the next words will unveil a hidden law of dharma; palm-leaf manuscripts and a small Viṣṇu emblem rest beside the guru.","primary_figures":["humble disciple","revered teacher (ṛṣi/guru)"],"setting":"forest hermitage (āśrama) with a small altar, tulasī pot nearby as a subtle Vaishnava marker, deer at a distance, manuscripts and water pot","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","leaf green","earth brown","lotus pink","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene guru seated on a raised wooden plank with gold-leaf halo, the disciple in añjali-mudrā asking for ‘paramaṃ vacaḥ’; ornate arch frame, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments on a small Viṣṇu icon at the side, intricate gold filigree on borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate forest āśrama scene with delicate brushwork; the disciple leans forward in respectful inquiry, the guru gestures gently; cool greens and muted ochres, distant hills, a thin stream, refined faces and lyrical stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and warm natural pigments; guru and disciple in frontal poise, large expressive eyes, stylized foliage; a small lamp-lit altar with a Viṣṇu symbol, dominant reds/yellows/greens with rhythmic border motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional frame with lotus borders and floral vines; central vignette of guru-disciple inquiry before a small Viṣṇu shrine, peacocks in corners, deep indigo background with gold highlights and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bell","morning birds","gentle breeze through leaves","distant conch (very faint)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैतत्ते = च एतत् ते. त्वद्य = त्व अद्य. श्रोतुमिच्छामि = श्रोतुम् इच्छामि. किमेतत्परमं = किम् एतत् परमम्.
FAQs
It is a respectful request to a teacher to reveal a highest teaching, provided it is not restricted as a secret instruction.
Not directly; it functions as a transition in dialogue, preparing the listener for a forthcoming ‘parama’ (supreme) teaching.
It implies discretion in transmitting knowledge (guhya) and the proper attitude of a student—humility, sincerity, and eagerness to learn.