Shloka 85
Narmadā
Revā) Tīrtha Greatness: The Gandharva Maidens’ Curse Narrative (Acchodā Episode Begins
श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं तासां प्राह गंभीरया गिरा । तथ्यं वो वचनं किंतु ममाप्यावश्यकं व्रतम्
śrutvā tadvacanaṃ tāsāṃ prāha gaṃbhīrayā girā | tathyaṃ vo vacanaṃ kiṃtu mamāpyāvaśyakaṃ vratam
ครั้นได้ฟังถ้อยคำของนางทั้งหลายแล้ว เขากล่าวด้วยสุรเสียงอันเคร่งขรึมว่า “คำของพวกท่านเป็นความจริง; แต่เราก็มีพรตอันจำเป็นที่ต้องรักษาไว้เช่นกัน”
Unspecified male speaker (context-dependent; replying to a group of women)
Concept: Even when others speak rightly, one must not abandon one’s own necessary vow; personal dharma is to be honored with gravity and steadiness.
Application: Keep commitments (spiritual or ethical) without becoming harsh: acknowledge others’ truth while calmly maintaining your discipline and boundaries.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn, noble man stands slightly apart from a circle of women who have appealed to him. With a calm, lowered gaze and a raised hand in gentle refusal, he acknowledges their point yet indicates an inner vow that binds him more strongly than persuasion.","primary_figures":["a vow-bound noble man (dharmika)","a group of women petitioners"],"setting":"A celestial garden corridor or palace veranda in Svarga-khaṇḍa ambience—carved pillars, flowering vines, distant mandāra trees, and a faint suggestion of heavenly architecture.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","burnished gold","lotus pink","sandalwood beige","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dignified vow-bound hero on a palace veranda, right hand in abhaya-like restraint, women petitioners in ornate saris, heavy gold leaf halos and borders, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, carved pillars and mandāra blossoms, South Indian iconographic symmetry and luminous gold embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet courtly scene in a heavenly garden, the man’s composed profile and downcast eyes, women in delicate veils, fine linework and soft shading, cool twilight blues with pink lotuses, lyrical trees and distant terraces, refined facial features and gentle gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, the vow-bound figure centered with calm eyes and restrained mudra, women grouped to one side, warm red-yellow-green palette with indigo accents, stylized floral creepers and palace motifs, temple-wall aesthetic and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional-court tableau framed by lotus borders and floral arabesques, deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks perched on balustrades, the central figure radiating composure, intricate textile patterns and symmetrical decorative margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","distant conch shell","gentle courtyard echoes","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्वचनं = तत् वचनम्; ममाप्यावश्यकं = मम अपि आवश्यकम्
FAQs
It balances courtesy and truthfulness toward others with steadfastness to one’s own obligatory vow (vrata), implying that dharma can require honoring personal commitments even when others’ advice is correct.
It suggests a vow that is not optional—an obligatory observance tied to duty, prior commitment, or a higher religious purpose, rather than a casual or flexible practice.
The verse itself does not name the speaker; it only indicates a male figure responding gravely to “them” (tāsām, a group of women). Identification depends on the surrounding narrative of Svarga-khaṇḍa 22.