Shloka 8
The Account of Women
Householder Ethics, Fault, Merit, and Govinda-Nāma as Purification
द्विज उवाच । कृत्या नारी न यस्यैव तस्य स्वर्गो भवेद्ध्रुवम् । यथैतच्चरितं नाथ सर्वेषां शिवमिष्यते
dvija uvāca | kṛtyā nārī na yasyaiva tasya svargo bhaveddhruvam | yathaitaccaritaṃ nātha sarveṣāṃ śivamiṣyate
พราหมณ์กล่าวว่า: “ผู้ใดไร้ภรรยา ผู้นั้นย่อมมีสวรรค์เป็นที่แน่นอน โอ้พระนาถ ดังเรื่องราวนี้เป็นไป ก็ถือกันว่าเป็นมงคลแก่สรรพชนทั้งปวง”
Dvija (a brāhmaṇa speaker)
Concept: The presence of a wife (gṛhastha completeness) is praised as a secure path to svarga; the narrative is presented as universally auspicious (śiva) when heard/accepted.
Application: Value partnership and shared responsibility; cultivate dharmic household practices—hospitality, worship, restraint—so family life becomes a vehicle for merit and inner harmony.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brāhmaṇa speaker addresses a seated lordly figure in a calm assembly, gesturing toward a symbolic vision of a harmonious household: a couple before a small sacred fire, offerings arranged neatly. Above them, a faint celestial pathway opens toward a serene svarga skyline, indicating the promised fruit of complete gṛhastha-dharma.","primary_figures":["a brāhmaṇa (dvija) speaker","a lord addressed as ‘nātha’ (unspecified)","a symbolic household couple"],"setting":"Hermitage hall or temple mandapa with listeners; inset vignette of a household yajña scene.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","sandalwood tan","saffron","pearl white","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dvija speaker with palm-leaf manuscript, nātha seated on a throne-like seat, gold leaf halos; inset scene of a couple at a small yajña fire with offerings; ornate pillars and arch, rich reds and greens, gem-studded jewelry, gold leaf emphasizing svarga pathway in the upper register.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate discourse scene with refined gestures, soft lamp glow, delicate textiles; a small cloud-window above showing a tranquil svarga city; pastel palette with precise linework, gentle devotional mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of the dvija speaking, nātha listening; stylized lamp flames and altar; upper band shows simplified svarga imagery; strong reds/yellows/greens with temple-wall symmetry and characteristic eye shapes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: discourse framed by lotus borders; upper portion filled with auspicious floral motifs and a stylized celestial arch; deep blue background with gold highlights; small vignette of household worship with cows/peacocks at corners to signify prosperity and auspiciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft harmonium drone","fire crackle (distant)","birds at dusk"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विज उवाच → द्विजः उवाच (विसर्ग-लोप); भवेद्ध्रुवम् → भवेत् ध्रुवम् (त्+ध् संधि); यथैतच्चरितं → यथा एतत् चरितम् (आ+ए = ऐ; त्+च्); शिवमिष्यते → शिवम् इष्यते (म्+इ संधि)
FAQs
The speaker is identified simply as a dvija (“twice-born,” typically a brāhmaṇa). Purāṇic dialogues often label speakers this way when the narrative voice alternates among sages, priests, or learned interlocutors.
It links a person’s status (here, being without a wife) with a promised outcome (svarga, heaven) and then frames the surrounding narrative as “śiva”—beneficial or auspicious—for everyone.
Calling the narrative “śivam” suggests it is meant to promote welfare, right conduct, and spiritual benefit for listeners—positioning the story as morally and spiritually edifying rather than merely descriptive.