Shloka 58
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
भिक्षेत भिक्षांप्रथमं याचैनं न विमानयेत् । सजातीयगृहेष्वेव सार्ववर्णिकमेव वा
bhikṣeta bhikṣāṃprathamaṃ yācainaṃ na vimānayet | sajātīyagṛheṣveva sārvavarṇikameva vā
พึงออกขอทานก่อนเป็นอันดับแรก และเมื่อมีผู้มาขอ ก็อย่าดูหมิ่นหรือเมินเฉยต่อผู้ขอทานนั้น พึงขอทานเฉพาะในเรือนของผู้ร่วมชาติกำเนิดเดียวกัน หรือจากเรือนที่เปิดแก่คนทุกวรรณะ
Unspecified (narrative injunction within Svarga-khaṇḍa; likely part of Pulastya’s instruction to Bhīṣma)
Concept: Bhikṣā must be sought with humility and received/asked for without contempt; honoring the petitioner preserves dharma and prevents pride.
Application: When asked for help, respond without belittling; when requesting support, do so respectfully and within appropriate social norms.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A restrained brahmacārin with a begging bowl stands at the threshold of a modest home; the householder offers alms with respectful hands, while an elder gestures gently, teaching that no petitioner should be insulted. The scene emphasizes mutual dignity—poverty is not romanticized, but dharma is made visible through posture, gaze, and careful distance at the doorway.","primary_figures":["brahmacārin (student)","householder (gṛhastha)","elder instructor (sage/ācārya figure)"],"setting":"village lane with simple homes, threshold rangoli, a small shrine niche","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm ochre","leaf green","clay brown","ivory","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a brahmacārin with kamaṇḍalu and bhikṣā-pātra at a decorated doorway; householder offering rice with añjali; gold leaf highlights on vessels and borders; rich reds/greens, ornate but devotional domestic setting, embossed halo around the instructor figure.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate village scene with soft morning light; the student’s simple garments contrasted with the householder’s patterned shawl; refined faces, gentle gestures of non-insult; cool shadows, lyrical trees and distant hills.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, earthy pigments; doorway framed with floral motifs; expressive eyes showing humility and kindness; stylized vessels and hand-gestures emphasizing dharma.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: domestic dāna scene framed by intricate floral borders and small lotus motifs; peacocks at corners; deep blue background with gold accents; emphasis on auspiciousness of giving without contempt."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["morning birds","soft footsteps","clinking alms bowl","temple bell (distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भिक्षांप्रथमं = भिक्षाम् + प्रथमम्; याचैनं = याच + एनम्; सजातीयगृहेष्वेव = सजातीयगृहेषु + एव.
FAQs
It instructs that when a person requests (alms), one should not demean, insult, or dismiss the petitioner; respectful conduct is part of dharma.
“Sajātīya-gṛhas” indicates households of one’s own community/group, while “sārvavarṇika” refers to households considered open/appropriate for all varṇas—i.e., not restricted to a single social class.
It emphasizes disciplined livelihood (bhikṣā as a regulated practice) and compassion in social dealings, teaching that dignity and non-contempt are essential virtues in religious life.