Shloka 94
The Marks of Merit and the Destinies of Beings
Divine vs Demonic Traits
पूर्ववद्भक्षणे प्रीतो ह्यद्यपापं करोति च । स्तेयशीलो निशाचारी बुधैर्ज्ञेयस्स वंचकः
pūrvavadbhakṣaṇe prīto hyadyapāpaṃ karoti ca | steyaśīlo niśācārī budhairjñeyassa vaṃcakaḥ
ยินดีในการกินดังเดิม เขาก่อบาปวันแล้ววันเล่า มีนิสัยลักขโมยและเที่ยวไปยามราตรี—บัณฑิตทั้งหลายกล่าวว่า พึงรู้ว่าเขาเป็นผู้ล่อลวงหลอกลวง
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 76; verse functions as a moral characterization)
Concept: Habitual sin normalizes itself; the wise must identify deception—especially theft and nocturnal wrongdoing—and refuse complicity.
Application: Track repeated ‘small’ wrongs; if a pattern forms, intervene early. Choose trustworthy company; set boundaries with exploitative people.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A shadowy figure slips through narrow lanes at night, clutching stolen goods, while by lamplight a group of elders point him out with stern, discerning faces. The contrast between his indulgent feasting and his secret theft is shown through split-scene symbolism: a bright platter in one corner, a dark alley in the other.","primary_figures":["the deceiver (vañcaka)","wise elders (budhāḥ)","townspeople (background)"],"setting":"nighttime city lane with oil lamps, closed doors, a small courtyard where elders sit in judgment-like posture","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["midnight blue","lamp-flame amber","smoky gray","deep maroon","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: nocturnal moral tableau with a thief in dynamic pose, elders seated with authoritative gestures, gold leaf on lamp halos and ornaments, rich maroons and greens, stylized architecture and patterned textiles, clear didactic composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate night scene with delicate lamp glow, refined faces of elders, cool blues and soft ambers, detailed brickwork and textiles, narrative split-panel effect showing feasting versus theft.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, dramatic chiaroscuro via flat pigments, expressive eyes, the deceiver rendered with tense posture, elders with calm authority, red-yellow-green palette anchored by deep blue night field.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical night-lane framed by ornate floral borders, peacocks subdued in dark tones, deep blue ground with gold lamp motifs, central figure of the deceiver contrasted with a circular medallion of ‘sattvic counsel’ by elders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["night insects","soft footfalls","door latch creak","single bell strike","tense silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्ववद्भक्षणे = पूर्ववत् + भक्षणे; ह्यद्यपापं = हि + अद्य + पापम्; बुधैर्ज्ञेयस्स = बुधैः + ज्ञेयः + सः (visarga sandhi: ज्ञेयः सः → ज्ञेयस्सः, written here as ज्ञेयस्स).
FAQs
It warns that habitual indulgence coupled with daily wrongdoing, theft, and secretive night activity are signs of a dishonest person, and such behavior should be recognized and avoided.
A vañcaka is identified by repeated sinful conduct—especially theft (steya-śīla) and covert, night-roaming behavior (niśācārī)—indicating intentional deceit rather than an isolated lapse.
In this verse, the focus is ethical discernment rather than cosmology; it reflects the Purana’s encyclopedic style, where moral instruction appears alongside broader creation-era narratives.