Shloka 13
Karmas Leading to Hell and Heaven
Ethical Catalog of Destinies
काष्ठैर्वा शंकुभिर्वापि शून्यैरश्मभिरेव वा । ये मार्गानुपरुंधंति ते वै निरयगामिनः
kāṣṭhairvā śaṃkubhirvāpi śūnyairaśmabhireva vā | ye mārgānuparuṃdhaṃti te vai nirayagāminaḥ
Kahit sa mga piraso ng kahoy, sa mga tulos, o maging sa mga bato at iba pang sagabal—yaong humahadlang sa mga daan ay tunay na patutungo sa impiyerno.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa ethical instruction; commonly framed in the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue context)
Concept: Creating obstacles on public roads is a punishable adharma; harming communal movement and safety leads to naraka.
Application: Do not block public pathways physically or socially (e.g., harassment, gatekeeping); support accessibility—help travelers, keep entrances clear, assist elders; treat ‘path’ as sacred because it carries pilgrims and seekers.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dusty road leading to a distant temple spire: pilgrims with water pots and garlands approach, but a cruel figure has strewn sharp stakes and stones across the path. A guardian-like dharma presence—subtle, luminous—stands beside the pilgrims, while the obstructer is cast in harsh shadow, foreshadowing the descent into a dark ravine symbolizing naraka.","primary_figures":["pilgrims (yātrikas)","a road-obstructer (symbolic antagonist)","a subtle Dharma/guardian presence (allegorical)"],"setting":"Rural road to a temple/tīrtha; roadside trees; distant shrine silhouette.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","stone gray","marigold orange","temple gold","shadow black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: A temple-bound pilgrimage road with ornate temple gopura in the distance, pilgrims in bright garments, and a villain scattering stakes and stones; gold leaf highlights on the temple and pilgrims’ ornaments; embossed textures for stones and road; dramatic contrast between luminous devotees and darkened obstructer.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Winding hillside path with delicate trees and a small temple on a ridge; pilgrims rendered with fine detail; obstacles placed across the path; soft atmospheric perspective, cool greens and warm ochres, lyrical narrative composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Stylized road as a bold band across the panel; iconic pilgrims in profile, villain at center with exaggerated gesture; strong outlines, flat yet vibrant color fields, temple motif at the top, ornamental borders with conch and lotus patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Decorative procession of pilgrims framed by floral borders; the road patterned with repeating motifs; obstacles depicted as sharp geometric forms; peacocks and lotuses in corners; deep blue background with gold and orange highlights, devotional procession aesthetic."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on gravel","distant temple bells","wind through trees","brief conch accent"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काष्ठैर्वा = काष्ठैः + वा; शंकुभिर्वापि = शंकुभिः + वा + अपि; शून्यैरश्मभिः = शून्यैः + अश्मभिः; मार्गानुपरुंधंति = मार्गान् + अनुपरुन्धन्ति (नासिक्य/अनुस्वार-लेखनभेदः).
FAQs
It condemns deliberately obstructing public roads or pathways—creating barriers with wood, stakes, stones, or similar means.
The verse says such people become “niraya-gāminaḥ,” i.e., they are destined for naraka (hellish realms) as a karmic result.
Maintaining unobstructed, safe passage for others is a social duty; harming public welfare through obstruction is treated as serious adharma.