Shloka 19
Description and Measurements of Śākadvīpa
with Oceans, Mountains, Varṣas, and Rivers
ऋषय ऊचुः । सुमहान्संशयोऽस्माकं प्राप्तोयं सूत यत्त्वया । प्रजाः कथं सूत सम्यक्संप्राप्ताः श्यामतामिह
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | sumahānsaṃśayo'smākaṃ prāptoyaṃ sūta yattvayā | prajāḥ kathaṃ sūta samyaksaṃprāptāḥ śyāmatāmiha
เหล่าฤๅษีกล่าวว่า: “โอ้สูตะ เพราะถ้อยคำของท่าน ความสงสัยใหญ่ยิ่งได้เกิดขึ้นในเรา บอกเถิด โอ้สูตะ เหล่าสรรพสัตว์ที่นี่ได้มาซึ่งความเป็นศยามะ (ความคล้ำ) นี้โดยชอบอย่างไร?”
The sages (Ṛṣayaḥ), addressing Sūta
Concept: Doubt (saṃśaya) is resolved through respectful questioning; inquiry is a dharmic act when aimed at truth.
Application: When confused by spiritual teachings, ask precise questions with respect; clarity strengthens practice and prevents superstition.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of forest-sages sits in a luminous hermitage hall, their matted locks and bark garments rendered with quiet dignity. At the center, they turn toward Sūta with palms joined, brows slightly knit in thoughtful doubt, as if the very air is charged with the desire for precise understanding.","primary_figures":["Ṛṣayaḥ (assembly of sages)","Sūta (as narrator)"],"setting":"Hermitage pavilion with kusa grass seats, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a sacrificial fire glowing softly.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron ochre","smoke gray","leaf green","warm amber","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sages seated in semicircle with gold-leaf accents on halos and firelight, Sūta elevated on a small seat holding a manuscript; rich reds/greens in borders, ornate but devotional composition, gem-like highlights on ritual vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate ashram scene with delicate faces and expressive eyes, soft amber firelight, detailed foliage and distant hills; refined linework on manuscripts and prayer beads, calm scholarly mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized sage faces with large eyes, rhythmic arrangement around a central homa-kunda; warm yellow-red glow against green background, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border of vines and lotuses framing a central satsanga scene; sages in symmetrical arrangement, stylized fire motif, deep earthy tones with gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacred fire","rustle of palm leaves","soft chanting undertone","brief silence after the question"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुमहान्संशयः = सुमहान् + संशयः; संशयोऽस्माकम् = संशयः + अस्माकम्; प्राप्तोयं = प्राप्तः + अयम्; यत्त्वया = यत् + त्वया; सम्यक्संप्राप्ताः = सम्यक् + संप्राप्ताः
FAQs
The sages (ṛṣayaḥ) are speaking, and they address Sūta, the narrator.
They express a serious doubt and ask how the prajāḥ (creatures/people) have come to attain “śyāmatā,” a dark state or dark complexion, in this context.
It introduces a question-driven passage where cosmological or moral-causal explanations are sought from the narrator, a common Purāṇic method of unfolding doctrine through inquiry and response.