Shloka 13
The Greatness of the Revā (Narmadā): Release from the Piśāca Curse
पिशाच उवाच । महर्षे कथ्यतां धर्मो मुच्येम येन किल्बिषात् । नायं कालो विलंबस्य शापाग्निर्दारुणो यतः
piśāca uvāca | maharṣe kathyatāṃ dharmo mucyema yena kilbiṣāt | nāyaṃ kālo vilaṃbasya śāpāgnirdāruṇo yataḥ
ปิศาจกล่าวว่า “โอ้มหาฤๅษี โปรดบอกธรรมที่ทำให้พวกเราพ้นบาปเถิด บัดนี้มิใช่กาลแห่งความล่าช้า เพราะไฟแห่งคำสาปนั้นน่าสะพรึงยิ่งนัก”
Piśāca
Concept: Even the fallen seek dharma when confronted with the consequences of wrongdoing; timely turning toward dharma is itself salvific.
Application: When consequences are imminent, do not rationalize or delay—seek wise counsel, admit fault, and adopt a concrete corrective practice.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gaunt Piśāca, eyes wide with dread, kneels before the calm, radiant sage Lomaśa. Behind the Piśāca, a faint aura of scorching curse-fire flickers like a looming threat, while the sage’s hermitage remains steady and protective.","primary_figures":["Piśāca (penitent)","Sage Lomaśa","forest hermits (optional)"],"setting":"Forest hermitage with kusa mats, water pot, and sacrificial fire; distant river glimmer hinted through trees.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["ash gray","burnt umber","saffron glow","deep forest green","river-silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Lomaśa seated on a pedestal with gold halo and ornate arch; the Piśāca in subdued tones kneeling with folded hands; stylized curse-fire as red-orange flames behind; rich maroon and emerald background, gold leaf highlights on sage’s ornaments and ritual vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate hermitage scene with delicate expressions—fear on the Piśāca, compassion on the sage; thin tongues of flame in the background; cool greens, soft browns, fine brushwork, a silver thread of river visible through trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: dramatic eyes and bold outlines; Piśāca rendered in earthy pigments, sage in luminous yellow and red; curse-fire motif as stylized flame band; temple-wall composition with rhythmic foliage patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional framing with floral borders; central sage and supplicant figure; stylized flames and lotus motifs; deep indigo ground with gold accents, peacocks at corners symbolizing transformation from fear to devotion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["crackling fire","urgent footsteps (implied)","forest insects","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिशाच उवाच→पिशाचः उवाच (विसर्ग); नायं→न अयम्; शापाग्निर्दारुणो→शापाग्निः दारुणः (विसर्ग-लोप/रेफ); अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धि न।
FAQs
The Piśāca urgently asks the sage to teach a dharma—an effective righteous means—by which they can be freed from sin (kilbiṣa).
Because the consequences of a curse are described as a terrifying “fire” (śāpāgni), implying imminent suffering unless remedial dharma is practiced quickly.
When one recognizes wrongdoing and its consequences, procrastination is dangerous; timely repentance, corrective action, and adherence to dharma are essential.