Shloka 3
Yayāti Ensnared by Desire: Gandharva Marriage, Aśvamedha, and the Demand to See the Worlds
ससर्पोसि महाराज भूतले चंदनं यथा । सर्पैश्च वेष्टितो राजन्महाचंदन एव हि
sasarposi mahārāja bhūtale caṃdanaṃ yathā | sarpaiśca veṣṭito rājanmahācaṃdana eva hi
اے مہاراج! تو زمین پر صندل کی مانند ہے؛ اگرچہ سانپوں نے تجھے گھیر رکھا ہو، اے راجن، تو پھر بھی حقیقتاً وہی اعلیٰ صندل ہے۔
Unspecified (a counselor/sage addressing the king; exact speaker not provided in the input)
Concept: Intrinsic virtue remains unchanged even when surrounded by hostility; the noble retain their nature like sandalwood retains fragrance.
Application: Maintain ethical conduct and calm speech when surrounded by envy or slander; let character, not circumstance, define you.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble king stands calm and upright like a sandalwood tree trunk laid upon the earth, while dark serpents coil around it without diminishing its pale, fragrant aura. Courtiers watch in tense silence as a soft, unseen breeze carries sandal scent, suggesting unshaken virtue amid danger.","primary_figures":["A righteous king","serpents (symbolic of hostile rivals)","silent courtiers/sage-counselor"],"setting":"Royal garden edge or forest clearing near a palace, with a sandalwood log/tree as the central metaphor made literal.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","deep emerald","cobra black","antique gold","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a composed king with halo-like aura stands beside a sandalwood trunk on earth, serpents coiling around it; gold leaf embellishment on the king’s ornaments and the sandalwood’s luminous grain, rich reds and greens in the background, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry, gem-studded jewelry and ornate arch framing the moral allegory.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical forest clearing with delicate brushwork; the king’s serene face rendered with refined features, serpents drawn as elegant sinuous lines around a pale sandalwood trunk; cool greens and soft browns, distant hills, minimal but expressive courtiers, poetic atmosphere of endurance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, flat natural pigments; central king figure with large expressive eyes, sandalwood trunk rendered in warm ochres, serpents in dark greens and blacks; temple-wall aesthetic with decorative borders, emphasizing dharma’s radiance despite encirclement.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition with lotus borders and floral vines; central sandalwood motif encircled by stylized serpents, the king shown in devotional calm; deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile patterns, peacocks and foliage as auspicious counterpoint to the serpents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","forest birds","low drone (tanpura)","brief silence after the simile"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ससर्पोऽसि → ससर्पः असि; चंदनं → चन्दनम् (अनुस्वार/वर्तनी-भेद); सर्पैश्च → सर्पैः च; राजन्महाचंदन → राजन् महाचन्दनः.
FAQs
It compares a righteous king to sandalwood: even if surrounded by serpents (hostile or corrupt influences), his intrinsic virtue remains unchanged.
It teaches steadiness in dharma—true character is not diminished by dangerous surroundings or opposition.
A king should remain principled even when encircled by threats, intrigue, or morally compromised associates; virtue must be maintained despite pressure.