Shloka 51
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
श्रोतुमिच्छामहे सम्यक्कथं वै विकृतं वपुः । द्विजा ऊचुः । शीतवातातपक्लेशैः क्षुत्पिपासाविशेषकैः
śrotumicchāmahe samyakkathaṃ vai vikṛtaṃ vapuḥ | dvijā ūcuḥ | śītavātātapakleśaiḥ kṣutpipāsāviśeṣakaiḥ
พวกเราปรารถนาจะฟังให้แจ่มชัดว่า แท้จริงแล้วกายนี้วิปริตพิกลได้อย่างไร พราหมณ์ทั้งหลายกล่าวว่า: เพราะความทุกข์จากความหนาว ลม และความร้อน ตลอดจนความลำบากเฉพาะคือความหิวและความกระหาย
Dvijāḥ (the Brahmins)
Concept: Embodiment is vulnerable to elemental afflictions; suffering becomes a lens to understand karmic consequence and the need for dharmic restraint.
Application: Cultivate compassion for the afflicted; practice moderation, truthful speech, and devotional steadiness rather than identifying with bodily states.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of learned brāhmaṇas sits in a forest hermitage, palms joined, asking a grave question about how a body becomes distorted through elemental hardships. In the background, the seasons appear as symbolic forces—icy wind, scorching sun, and parching heat—hovering like subtle deities around a fragile human form, emphasizing the teaching on bodily vulnerability.","primary_figures":["Dvijāḥ (Brahmins)","a narrating sage (contextual)","symbolic personifications of Śīta (cold), Vāta (wind), Ātapa (sun-heat)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with kusa-grass seats, sacrificial fire, palm-leaf manuscripts, and distant riverbank haze","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","smoke gray","leaf green","sun-ochre","indigo shadow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a semicircle of Brahmin sages with sacred threads and rudrākṣa/tulasi malas seated near a small homa-kunda, one sage gesturing as he explains bodily afflictions; gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, ornate borders with lotus motifs, subtle symbolic sun disc and wind swirls rendered with embossed gold.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hermitage scene in a Himalayan-like forest, sages in white garments on grass mats, a gentle stream behind; lyrical depiction of seasonal forces—cool blue wind ribbons, pale frost, warm amber sunlight—soft gradients, refined faces, fine linework and naturalistic trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, sages with expressive eyes and ochre skin tones, a small sacred fire, stylized sun and wind deities in the upper register; natural pigment palette dominated by red, yellow, green; temple-wall composition with lotus border.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotuses and tulasi sprigs framing a teaching assembly; deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks at corners, central vignette of sages in discourse, symbolic sun and wind motifs integrated into floral patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft fire-crackle","distant flowing water","brief temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रोतुमिच्छामहे = śrotum + icchāmahe; सम्यक्कथं = samyak + katham; शीतवातातपक्लेशैः = śīta-vāta-ātapa-kleśaiḥ (द्वन्द्व); क्षुत्पिपासाविशेषकैः = kṣut-pipāsā-viśeṣakaiḥ (समास).
FAQs
The speakers request a clear explanation of how a body/form became “vikṛta” (altered or deformed).
Cold, wind, and heat (environmental hardships), along with the specific pains of hunger and thirst.
The verse highlights how physical hardship and deprivation can transform the body, pointing to the reality of suffering and the need for endurance, restraint, and mindful conduct.