Shloka 10
The Account of Sunīthā
within the Vena Narrative
स वै शांतः स जितात्मा ताडयंतं न ताडयेत् । निर्दोषं प्रति येनापि ताडनं च कृतं सुते
sa vai śāṃtaḥ sa jitātmā tāḍayaṃtaṃ na tāḍayet | nirdoṣaṃ prati yenāpi tāḍanaṃ ca kṛtaṃ sute
Tunay, ang mapayapa at may pagpipigil-sa-sarili ay hindi dapat manakit kahit sa nananakit. At ang pananakit sa walang sala—kanino man—ay hindi dapat gawin, O anak.
Unspecified (didactic narrator addressing a son/young interlocutor as 'sute')
Concept: Śānti and jitātmatā (self-conquest) are proven by refusing to strike back; harming the innocent is prohibited for all.
Application: Practice pause-and-breathe before reacting; choose protective, lawful restraint over revenge; treat the ‘innocent’ (children, dependents, subordinates) as inviolable.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher addresses a young student (‘sute’) beneath a banyan tree, demonstrating calm by lowering a raised stick and placing it aside. In the background, an agitated man is restrained not by blows but by firm, compassionate presence.","primary_figures":["a serene teacher","a young listener (son/disciple)","an agitated striker in the background"],"setting":"gurukula courtyard with a small Viṣṇu altar and tulasī planter, suggesting ethical training as part of devotional life","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","banyan-leaf green","sandstone beige","sky blue","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene guru with a gold halo instructs a young disciple, gently setting aside a stick; ornate Viṣṇu altar with conch and discus motifs, tulasī pot, gold leaf highlights on jewelry and lamp, rich reds/greens, symmetrical composition with decorative borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dawn light filters through banyan leaves; the guru’s calm gesture contrasts with a distant quarrel; delicate brushwork, soft gradients, refined faces, cool sky blues and gentle greens, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines show the guru teaching śānti and jitātmatā; stylized banyan, tulasī pot, and Viṣṇu symbols; warm red-yellow-green pigments, frontal calm expressions, temple-wall panel feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central teaching scene framed by lotus and creeper borders; subtle Viṣṇu iconography (śaṅkha-cakra) in the background, peacocks near the tulasī planter, deep blue field with gold detailing, devotional ambience."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["morning birds","tanpura drone","soft bell at a home shrine","gentle breeze through leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ताडयंतं = ताडयन्तम् (अनुस्वार-लेखन); येनापि = येन + अपि (स्वर-सन्धि: अ + अ → आ).
FAQs
It teaches ahiṃsā (non-violence) and kṣamā (forbearance): a disciplined person should not retaliate, and must never harm the innocent.
The verse praises restraint even under provocation (“do not strike one who strikes”), presenting a high ideal of self-mastery; it also explicitly condemns harming the blameless.
“Sute” signals a teaching context—an elder instructing a younger listener—framing the statement as moral guidance within a dialogue or counsel.