Shloka 21
Womb-Suffering and the Path to Liberation
Dialogue of Wisdom, Meditation, and Discernment
चलितुं नैव शक्तोस्ति तथात्मासीत्प्रबंधितः । मोहजालैस्तु तैः सर्वैर्दृढबंधैस्तु बंधितः
calituṃ naiva śaktosti tathātmāsītprabaṃdhitaḥ | mohajālaistu taiḥ sarvairdṛḍhabaṃdhaistu baṃdhitaḥ
Hindi na siya makakilos; ang kanyang sariling pagkatao’y napigil. Nasilo sa mga lambat ng kamangmangan, siya’y mahigpit na ginapos ng matitibay na tali sa lahat ng panig.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Purāṇic dialogue context)
Concept: Delusion does not merely distract—it immobilizes; when moha hardens into ‘firm bonds,’ the will itself feels unable to move toward the good.
Application: When stuck, do not negotiate with the net—seek refuge practices: chant the divine name, keep Ekadashi or a small vow of restraint, and approach a teacher/community for accountability.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The same fish now lies completely immobilized, the net tightened into thick cords that wrap around its body like layered ropes. The water around it is still, emphasizing paralysis; above, the cords morph into dark thought-loops encircling a human heart, suggesting that the true binding is internal.","primary_figures":["immobilized fish (symbolic jiva)","moha-net as thick cords","faint silhouette of a human heart/mind within the cords"],"setting":"shallow water near the bank, net pulled taut, reeds bent and motionless","lighting_mood":"cold moonlit with stark contrasts","color_palette":["moonlit silver","blackened teal","slate gray","dull gold","shadow purple"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: immobilized fish bound by thick net cords, gold leaf accenting the tightened knots; the cords subtly form a heart-shaped enclosure at the center; dramatic contrast of dark teal water and rich maroon border; ornate yet cautionary allegory with traditional decorative framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet, chilling moonlit riverbank; the net rendered with fine lattice turning into rope-like bands; the fish motionless, eye reflecting resignation; minimal background to heighten stillness; cool silvers and blues with delicate brushwork.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: strong black outlines, stylized net cords wrapping the central figure; moon-disc above; the moha-bands drawn as thick rhythmic loops; limited palette with powerful contrast, mural border of lotus-vines to suggest the path out through devotion.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central immobilization motif framed by intricate floral borders; net cords patterned with repeating viṣaya icons; deep blue ground with silver-white moon; a small Vaishnava symbol (tilaka/footprint) placed outside the net as the ‘exit,’ emphasizing refuge beyond bondage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["heavy silence","single bell strike","distant flowing water subdued"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न+एव→नैव; शक्तः+अस्ति→शक्तोस्ति; तथा+आत्मा→तथात्मा; आत्मा+आसीत्→आत्मासीत्; आसीत्+प्रबन्धितः→आसीत्प्रबन्धितः; मोहजालैः+तु→मोहजालैस्तु; तैः+सर्वैः→तैः सर्वैः (पदच्छेद); सर्वैः+दृढबन्धैः→सर्वैर्दृढबन्धैः; दृढबन्धैः+तु→दृढबन्धैस्तु
FAQs
It describes how delusion (moha) immobilizes a person inwardly—binding the self so firmly that one cannot progress spiritually or even act freely.
It suggests layered, interlinked confusions—misidentification with the body, attachment, fear, and desire—that collectively trap the mind and obstruct discernment (viveka).
Guard against habits and attachments that strengthen delusion; cultivate clarity through right conduct, self-inquiry, and devotion so the ‘bonds’ loosen and movement toward dharma becomes possible.