Shloka 38
The Duties and Conduct of the Graduate (Snātaka) and the Householder
सीदन्नपि हि धर्मेण न त्वधर्मं समाचरेत् । धर्मो हि भगवान्देवो गतिः सर्वेषु जंतुषु
sīdannapi hi dharmeṇa na tvadharmaṃ samācaret | dharmo hi bhagavāndevo gatiḥ sarveṣu jaṃtuṣu
แม้ยามตกอยู่ในความทุกข์ยาก ก็พึงประพฤติตามธรรมเท่านั้น ไม่พึงทำอธรรม; เพราะธรรมแท้คือพระผู้เป็นเจ้า เป็นที่พึ่งและหนทางสุดท้ายของสรรพสัตว์ทั้งปวง
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Even in distress, do not commit adharma; dharma itself is divine and the ultimate refuge and course for all beings.
Application: When pressured by fear or loss, choose ethical action; build ‘non-negotiables’ (truthfulness, non-harm, integrity) and accept short-term hardship for long-term spiritual safety.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler in torn garments stands amid a storm and collapsing bridge, yet refuses a shadowy offer of adharma. Above, Dharma appears as a radiant deity-like presence—half abstract, half personified—casting a protective beam that becomes a path forward.","primary_figures":["a struggling householder or dvija","personified Dharma (divine figure)","shadowy tempter figure (symbolic adharma)"],"setting":"Rocky ravine with storm clouds, a precarious path, and a distant temple silhouette representing refuge.","lighting_mood":"dramatic","color_palette":["storm gray","electric blue","radiant gold","deep maroon","stone white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic moral tableau—central figure resisting adharma, personified Dharma above with gold leaf aura and ornate crown; rich maroons and greens, embossed gold highlights on the protective ray forming a path, temple-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: stormy hillside scene with delicate rain strokes, the protagonist poised with firm gaze; a luminous Dharma figure in the clouds, refined facial features, cool palette with a warm golden refuge-path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined storm scene, stylized clouds and lightning; Dharma as a radiant guardian figure with strong yellow-red-green pigments, protective beam rendered as patterned band leading forward.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central golden path motif cutting through a dark blue storm field; floral borders contrast the turmoil; Dharma symbolized by a radiant lotus-disc above, intricate white filigree and gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["distant thunder","conch shell accent","temple bells","wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीदन्+अपि→सीदन्नपि; तु+अधर्मम्→त्वधर्मम् (उकारस्य वकारादेशः); भगवान्+देवः→भगवान्देवः.
FAQs
It teaches steadfastness: even under extreme hardship, one should not resort to adharma; dharma must remain the guiding principle of action.
It personifies Dharma as “Bhagavān Deva”—a divine Lord—indicating that dharma is not merely social custom but a sacred, ultimate principle and refuge.
When pressured by fear, loss, or desperation, the verse advises choosing the righteous option over expedient wrongdoing, trusting dharma as the safest long-term refuge and direction.