Shloka 84
The Birth of Tāraka and the Prelude to the Deva–Asura War
Topic-based Title
कार्यं किमत्र तद्ब्रूहि नीत्युपायोपबृंहितम् । एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं महेंद्रस्य गिरां पतिः
kāryaṃ kimatra tadbrūhi nītyupāyopabṛṃhitam | etacchrutvā tu vacanaṃ maheṃdrasya girāṃ patiḥ
“ภารกิจที่ปรากฏอยู่ตรงนี้คืออะไร จงบอกเราเถิด—ให้ประกอบด้วยนิติและอุบายอันเหมาะสม” ครั้นสดับพระดำรัสของมหินทราแล้ว พระวาจาปติ (พฤหัสบดี)…
Indra (Mahendra) addressing Bṛhaspati; narrative continues with Bṛhaspati reacting/responding.
Concept: Ends do not justify means; action must be supported by nīti and upāya—ethical policy and practical method.
Application: When facing conflict, ask not only ‘what to do’ but ‘how to do it rightly’; seek solutions that are both principled and workable.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra leans forward from his throne, palm open in inquiry, asking for a plan fortified by policy and practical means. Bṛhaspati, the lord of speech, listens with composed eyes, his aura like steady fire amid the court’s tension.","primary_figures":["Indra (Mahendra)","Bṛhaspati"],"setting":"Celestial council chamber with scroll-like tablets, banners, and a lotus-carved dais; gods in the background as silent witnesses","lighting_mood":"golden dawn filtering through cloud-arches","color_palette":["honey gold","cloud white","teal","saffron","charcoal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra seated, gesturing in inquiry; Bṛhaspati standing with a palm-leaf manuscript; gold leaf halos and ornate jewelry; rich reds/greens with gem-studded borders; architectural arches and lotus motifs highlighted in embossed gold.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate counsel scene with delicate brushwork; Indra’s questioning gesture and Bṛhaspati’s attentive calm; cool teal and soft whites, minimal ornament, lyrical palace arches and floating clouds, refined facial expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; Indra and Bṛhaspati in profile dialogue; warm yellow-red background with green accents; stylized ornaments and patterned borders; temple-wall narrative clarity emphasizing speech and counsel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical composition with ornate floral borders; Indra and Bṛhaspati centered, surrounded by decorative cloud bands; deep blue and gold highlights, lotus motifs repeating to suggest dharmic order and measured strategy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft veena drone","temple bells","rustle of garments","distant conch","quiet court ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tadbrūhi = tat + brūhi; nītyupāyopabṛṃhitam = nīti + upāya + upabṛṃhitam; etacchrutvā = etat + śrutvā; mahendra = mahā + indra (lexicalized); girāṃ patiḥ ‘lord of speech’.
FAQs
‘Girāṃ patiḥ’ (“lord of speech”) is a common epithet of Bṛhaspati, the Devas’ priest and counselor, renowned for wisdom and eloquence.
It stresses that action should be explained and undertaken with both nīti (ethical/political prudence) and upāya (effective means), i.e., principled strategy rather than impulse.
Before acting, one should clearly define the objective (“what is to be done”) and align the method with sound counsel—balancing moral considerations with practical strategy.